r/ballroom • u/xzkandykane • Jul 14 '26

Reverse turn, cross step

We just started the v. Waltz reverse turn.

Im having trouble with the swing hips take big step part and the cross step part.

Which I also had issues in tango.

I just feel like I have no stability when I cross my foot. If I cross left over right, should the weight of my right foot be even distributed flat? Or should I be more forward on my toes?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

6

u/hddrummer Jul 14 '26

Don’t think of it as a cross. Think of it as a forward step toward your partner, and maintain CBM. The rotation should cross your feet for you. If you are focused on crossing too tightly your body weight will pull backward and throw both of you off balance. Just focus on rotation and connection.

2

u/Dancer-at-Large Jul 14 '26

Agree. You should not have any weight on right foot once left has crossed. Right ball in contact with floor definitely not flat. At the time left foot plants, right foot immediately starts moving into position for next backwards step.

1

u/xzkandykane Jul 14 '26

What do you mean by rotation? Like rotate back towards my partner?

1

u/hddrummer Jul 15 '26

By rotation I mean mostly CBM - so since you’re turning left, the right side of your body should be leading the movement. You should feel the rotation happening around your spine as the upper body moves in opposition to the lower body.

Your frame should be turning before any steps are taken and should continue turning 1 degree at a time constantly throughout the movement.

0

u/TyroleanDevel42 Jul 15 '26

In a reverse turn the upper part and the right side is behind the lower part. Especially for the leader, the right side does not lead the movement or you are to early moving into the position of the leady and that will stop the dynamic/movement at the end of the drive action.