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Dance figure technique6 minutes

Dance the Quickstep Forward Lock confidently as a couple

By Bernhard De LucaUpdated

In brief
  • The forward-moving roll steps right forward, left forward, right crossed behind left, and left forward.
  • The backward-moving roll steps left back, right back, left crossed in front of right, and right back.
  • The Forward Lock has four weight changes in the rhythm Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow.
  • As a pair, stay slightly offset so both footpaths pass by each other.

The cross position looks tighter than it should feel. When your feet briefly pass each other side by side, you need neither a strong pull on the arm nor a wide detour with your leg.

What you need for the Forward Lock

  • Open, level practice area free of obstacles
  • Dance shoes with a sole that allows controlled gliding
  • Familiar closed standard hold with a slight offset
  • Secure weight transfers onto one foot at a time
  • Starting weight forward on the left, backward on the right

Crossing does not interrupt forward travel

The Forward Lock is a progressive Quickstep figure with no rotation during its four steps. Here, the leading role takes over the forward travel. The crossing step is fully weighted: you place your right foot behind your left and transfer your weight onto it. Simply tapping the foot would not free your left foot for the following forward step.

Your body keeps moving in the chosen direction, even while your feet are briefly crossed. That’s why your right foot does not travel in a wide arc behind your left leg. It passes close by your standing foot. At the same time, your partner needs space for their own backward movement in the opposite direction.

In the usual execution, the forward step with your right foot starts outside your partner’s feet, on their right side. Your upper bodies stay connected and slightly offset, so you don’t face each other with one foot directly in front of the other. The following instructions assume this starting position and cover only this one figure.

If you’re still finding full weight changes difficult, the Foxtrot basic step with both roles is a simpler preliminary exercise. The differences between Foxtrot, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep explain why you shouldn’t transfer the movement feel of the other dances unchanged to this crossing sequence.

A clear practice space lets you dance the connection all the way through instead of stopping short at an obstacle.
A clear practice space lets you dance the connection all the way through instead of stopping short at an obstacle.

Dance the Forward Lock step by step

  1. Take the starting position

    Stand in closed hold, slightly offset. When moving forward, your weight is on your left foot; when moving backward, it’s on your right. Your other feet are free. Choose a straight practice direction and keep your arms relaxed, without leaning on each other for support.

  2. Step forward right on Slow

    Step forward with your right foot outside your partner’s feet and transfer your weight. Your partner steps back with their left foot. Count “one, two” for this Slow; start the forward step with your heel and roll through to the ball of your foot.

  3. Step forward on the left on Quick

    Continue moving forward on the left as your partner steps back on the right. Count “three” and stay on the same line of movement. The forward foot now lands on the ball of the foot; your left leg takes your weight, freeing the right to cross.

  4. Cross right behind left on Quick

    Place your right foot close behind your left and transfer your weight onto your right on “four.” Your partner simultaneously crosses their left foot in front of their right and transfers their weight onto their left. Keep the crossing narrow, without pressing your knees against each other; your upper bodies should not turn away from each other.

  5. Step forward again on Slow with your left foot

    Resolve the cross position by stepping forward with your left foot on “five, six”. Your partner steps back with their right foot. Step forward onto the ball of your left foot, lowering your heel at the end. Finish this step with your weight fully transferred, without an additional close.

  6. Determine which foot is free

    After the final Slow, stop without moving your feet. When moving forward, your right foot should be free; when moving backward, your left. If you can lift this foot slightly off the floor without shifting sideways, you have completed the four weight changes.

  7. Dance the whole figure in rhythm

    Get back into the starting position and dance the four steps without stopping. Say “Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow” along with the steps: each Slow lasts two beats, and each Quick lasts one. The cross does not get an extra pause.

Perform the cross position deliberately

That's it

  • Keep the crossing foot close to the standing foot as you pass it
  • Transfer your weight onto the crossed foot
  • Keep your upper body aligned as you cross
  • Complete the final forward step fully

Not like this

  • Swing the cross foot around in a wide arc
  • Only tap the crossed foot without putting weight on it
  • Turn your shoulders toward the cross foot
  • Close both feet immediately after crossing

How to tell if a dance round went well

Before starting

Starting position

After the first run-through

Footwork

After the run-through with counting

Rhythm

Frequently asked questions

  1. The Forward Lock has four steps, each with a weight change. The sequence lasts six musical beats because each Slow gets two beats and each Quick gets one beat. So when you count six beats, you do not step six times: the longer durations belong to the first and last steps.

Ballroom Dance Classes for Your Quickstep

In a ballroom dance class, you can practice the Forward Lock with the right footwork and a shared line of movement.

View All Suitable Classes

Practice the cross step together

On udansa connect, you can find dance partners to practice the Forward Lock with. Mention Quickstep and your current course level in your profile so you can start with an activity that suits you.

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Practice the cross step together

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