The half-turn ending determines the continuation
In this connection, “backward” refers to the direction of movement of the leader on the first change step. It does not reverse the direction of dance around the floor. What matters is the standing foot and body orientation at the end of the previous figure: after its forward half, the leader is facing backward in relation to the direction of movement that follows.
After step three of the right turn, the weight is on the right foot and the left is free. After step three of the left turn, the weight is on the left foot and the right is free. In the left turn, the leader stands with the left foot crossed in front of the right, as in the step sequence for the Viennese Waltz left turn. Each change begins with the free foot moving backward.
After the change, you do not follow with the forward beginning of the new turn, but with its backward half. In the usual count for a six-step turn, these are steps four to six. Musically, however, they still begin on a new one. So the figure’s step number and the beat are different things.
An ending after step six gives you a different starting position and does not belong to this backward-led continuation. The closed changes begun forward are a different variation. At first, keep the two options separate while practicing.
