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Figure technique5 minutes

Dance the Viennese Waltz left turn with confidence

By Bernhard De LucaUpdated

In short
  • The left turn consists of six weight changes over two measures, turning counterclockwise.
  • The leader steps forward with the left foot, to the side with the right, crosses the left foot in front, steps backward with the right, to the side with the left, and closes with the right.
  • The follower steps backward with the right foot, to the side with the left, closes with the right, steps forward with the left, to the side with the right, and crosses the left foot in front.
  • On the forward part of the three, the left foot crosses in front of the right foot.

A misplaced foot on beat three makes the next step unnecessarily difficult. Once you can physically distinguish between the two halves, what seemed like a tangle becomes a movement you can repeat.

What you need for the exercise

  • Clear, level space with room for two triple steps
  • Dance shoes with a sole that glides in a controlled way
  • Confident weight shifts between the left and right foot
  • Familiar closed dance hold without a firm grip
  • Shared count: one, two, three, one, two, three

Cross forward, close backward

The left turn consists of two different halves. While one person dances forward around the couple, the other moves backward and makes room. After three steps, these roles switch. Forward or backward describes your own movement, not your dance role permanently. That is why both roles need the same crossing step, just at different points in the six steps.

The cross is a weight-bearing step: the left foot stands in front of the right and takes the weight. A simple tap is not enough, because the right foot needs to be free afterward. In the backward half, the right foot instead closes to the left and also takes the weight. This way, each half ends with the right or left foot free for the next connection.

In the full figure, the couple turns once counterclockwise over both measures and moves through the room as they do so. For your first attempt, less turning is enough. Your arms maintain the connection, they do not pull the other person around. The overview of steps and connections in the Viennese Waltz puts the figure in context. If you are not yet comfortable with the shared hold, the introduction to both waltzes will help before you work on the turn.

A couple dances Salsa, Tango or Waltz in a close embrace
A sole that glides in a controlled way makes turning easier, but it doesn't replace a properly placed step.

Practice the six steps for both roles

  1. Get into the starting position

    Stand facing each other in closed position, slightly offset to one side. The leader stands on the right, with the left foot free; the follower stands on the left, with the right foot free. Start without music and take small steps.

  2. Step forward and back on count one

    The leader steps forward with the left foot, the follower backward with the right. Start the left turn together from the body movement, without pulling on the arms. Both transfer their weight onto the planted foot, leaving the other foot free.

  3. Continue the turn sideways on count two

    As the leader, step to the right; as the follower, step to the left. Let your feet follow the body's rotation and give each other space. Keep the side step compact so you can make the third weight transfer without jumping.

  4. Cross and close on three

    On three, cross your left foot in front of your right and transfer your weight to your left. Then close your right foot to your left and transfer your weight to your right. Keep the cross step close, but don’t tangle your legs; neither foot is just tapped.

  5. Switch roles on the new '1'

    As the lead, step back on your right foot; as the follow, step forward on your left. The person who just danced backward now takes the forward part. You can move straight away with your free foot, without switching feet first or adding an extra step in between.

  6. Make room to the side on count two

    The leader steps to the left, and the follower steps to the right. The leader lets the follower move forward around the couple. Stay connected without twisting your shoulders against each other.

  7. On three, close and cross

    As the leader, close your right foot next to your left and put your weight on your right. As the follower, cross your left foot in front of your right and put your weight on your left. You’re back on your starting feet and can repeat the same figure. It’s fine to pause before repeating while you’re learning.

These differences make the cross step useful

Like this

  • Cross your left foot in front, leaving room for your knees
  • Let your body keep turning with your feet
  • Find a shared path with small steps
  • After a pause, slowly start again if you make a mistake

Not like this

  • Lock your knees by crossing them deeply and tightly
  • Turn your upper body while keeping your feet planted
  • Pass the couple with large sideways steps
  • Cover up a mistake with extra quick steps

Your practice run-through checklist

Before the first round

Start

After the slow run-through

Control

After Practising with Music

Consolidation

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. The left-turning Waltz usually refers to the left turn in the Viennese Waltz. The term describes the direction of rotation, not a different dance. So when you practice the steps of the left-turning Waltz, you are working on this figure with a forward cross and a backward close within the Viennese Waltz.

Ballroom dance classes for your Waltz technique

Practice the left turn in class with feedback on the cross step, weight change and turning together.

View all matching classes

Practice the cross step together

On udansa, you can find dance partners to slowly repeat the left turn with. Describe in your profile which role you're practicing and that you're working on the cross step and weight changes.

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Practice the cross step together

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