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Figure Technique5 minutes

Dance the Quickstep Backward Lock confidently while moving backward

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In brief
  • In a backward lock, the moving foot crosses in front of the supporting foot and takes the weight.
  • The variation explained here starts with the left foot moving backward and follows the rhythm Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow.
  • Your dance partner starts with the right foot moving forward and crosses the right foot behind the left on the second Quick.
  • After the crossed position, you open with the right foot moving backward and continue along the same line of movement.

Rückwärts kreuzen fühlt sich zunächst widersprüchlich an: Der Körper reist zurück, ein Fuß landet trotzdem vorn. Sobald du Standbein und Spielbein auseinanderhältst, wird aus dem vermeintlichen Beinknoten eine kleine, nachvollziehbare Bewegung.

What you need for the exercise

  • A clear, level practice area with no oncoming traffic
  • Suitable dance shoes that provide secure support
  • A dance partner to practice moving forward in the opposite direction
  • Familiarity with Slow and Quick in Quickstep
  • A secure weight transfer onto one foot at a time

The crossing changes the foot sequence, not the direction of travel

The Backward Lock is a progressive figure: your feet briefly come into a tight crossed position while your body continues moving backward. The crossing is a weight-bearing step, not a tap on the floor. If your weight stays on the standing leg, you won't have a free foot to continue with. You might get into position, but you wouldn't dance through the figure.

For this guide, the backward-moving role starts with the left foot. Its sequence is: left back, right back and slightly to the side, left crossing in front of the right, right back. The opposite pathway starts with the right foot forward. This description of the roles is independent of who leads. The starting foot depends on the chosen variation and the connection; a mirrored exercise requires swapping the foot directions throughout.

The slight sideways opening on the second step creates space for the crossing. It is not a large side step and not an invitation to twist your upper body. Your dance partner stays slightly offset rather than toe to toe. To see how it fits into the repertoire, check out the overview of Quickstep figures for beginners. You'll also encounter the idea that starting foot and direction of travel belong together when coordinating the step paths in the Foxtrot Right Turn; however, you don't apply its foot sequence to this Lock.

Schuhe mit breiten Sohlen brauchen in der Kreuzposition mehr Abstand als schmale Trainingsschuhe.
Schuhe mit breiten Sohlen brauchen in der Kreuzposition mehr Abstand als schmale Trainingsschuhe.

Practice the Backward Lock in seven steps

  1. Set your starting feet and backward path

    Stand with your weight on your right foot, and your dance partner with their weight on their left. Set a short straight path and take a relaxed dance hold; you can move freely to the left, your partner to the right.

  2. Links auf Slow zurückgehen

    Setze links rückwärts und übertrage das Gewicht vollständig. Deine Tanzbegleitung setzt gleichzeitig rechts vorwärts; die leicht versetzte Paarposition lässt ihre Fußbahn neben deiner verlaufen. Zählt für diesen Slow zwei Grundschläge, ohne am Ende einzufrieren.

  3. Open slightly to the right on Quick

    Step backward to the right and slightly to the side on the next basic beat. Your dance partner steps forward on the left foot and slightly to the side, following the corresponding opposite path. Keep the opening small: both of you stand on the new foot without pulling your arms apart.

  4. Cross Left in Front of Right

    On the next Quick, place your left foot just in front of your right and transfer your weight onto your left foot. Your partner crosses their right foot behind their left and transfers their weight onto their right foot. Keep your legs mobile; your left foot should not land far in front of you as it would in a forward step.

  5. Open Back Up to the Right

    Undo the cross position with a right backward step on Slow. Your dance partner steps forward with their left foot. Count two basic beats again: At the end, you’re on the right, your partner is on the left, and your feet are no longer crossed.

  6. Connect the four steps without stopping

    Dance the same sequence through with “Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow”. If needed, use “one two, three, four, five six” as a continuous practice count over six basic beats, not as a measure count. Each of the two Quick steps lasts half as long as a Slow.

  7. Den freien Anschlussfuß festhalten

    Beendet zunächst nur eine Wiederholung und benennt eure freien Füße: bei dir links, gegenüber rechts. Schließt erst danach einen bereits bekannten passenden Schritt an. Eine zusätzliche ungezählte Gewichtsverlagerung würde den gerade erarbeiteten Ausgang wieder verändern.

Vier Details für eine lösbare Kreuzposition

That's it

  • Pass the crossing foot just by the standing foot
  • Keep your knees loose as you cross
  • Carry the backward movement through with your body
  • Maintain the connection with your partner without adding hand pressure

So nicht

  • Den kreuzenden Fuß in einem weiten Bogen herumschwingen
  • Die Knie in der Kreuzposition gegeneinander verriegeln
  • Den Oberkörper beim Kreuzen nach vorn zurückwerfen
  • Die Tanzbegleitung mit den Händen durch die Kreuzung ziehen

Dein kurzer Übungscheck

Before the first run-through

Start

After the slow sequence

Control

After the connected pass

Finish

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. You don't need to look over your shoulder during every backward step. For this exercise, the space ahead is clear before you start and stays free of oncoming dancers. Turning your head and upper body sharply backward changes your position as a pair. On a crowded dance floor, keeping track of the space around you is also the responsibility of the leading role.

Ballroom classes for your Quickstep

Practice the backward lock in class with a dance partner and a clear follow-up.

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Practice the backward movement together

On udansa connect, you’ll find a dance partner to practice the Backward Lock with slowly and with fixed roles. This gives you a shared practice goal for the cross position and the counter movement.

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Practice the backward movement together

Passend dazu

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