Turn Under Block

This block move starts like a normal Turn Under, but the leader uses his right hand to stop the turn just after it has begun, and reverse its direction. This reversal of direction helps the follower to alter her footwork—instead of the second triple step that she is expecting to do (for a normal six-beat rhythm), the reversal of direction forces her to step on beats 5 and 6, resulting in an eight-beat rhythm overall.


front view reverse view detail
1. M:BL W:BR1R Start from an closed position, with the leader's left hand holding the follower's right hand. The leader takes a step backward on his left foot, pushing the follower away with his left hand. The follower takes a step backward on her right foot, turning slightly to her right.
2. M:RR W:RL1L The leader replaces his weight on his right foot. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot, turning slightly to her left, so she directly faces the leader again.
3. M:eSL W:eSR The leader takes a step slightly to the side on his left foot, lifting his left hand and beginning to slightly extend the space between the dancers. The follower takes a step slightly to the side on her right foot.
&. M:TR W:TL The leader closes his right foot to his left foot. The follower closes her left foot to her right foot.
4. M:eSL W:eSR The leader takes a step slightly to the side on his left foot, with his left hand now lifted to the just above the follower's right shoulder. The follower takes a step slightly to the side on her right foot. (image: direction of lead)
5. M:RR W:XL2R The leader replaces his weight on his right foot, pushing his left hand away from his body to turn the follower. The leader also moves his right hand to the inside of the follower's left upper arm, stopping her turn. The follower takes a step with her left foot across and in front of her other foot, turning 90° to her right. (image: leader's right hand catches follower's elbow)
6. M:RL W:TR2L The leader replaces his weight on his left foot, reversing the follower's turn with his right hand, keeping his left hand at the follower's head height. The follower closes her right foot to her left foot, turning 90° to her left. (image: direction of reversal lead)
7. M:RR W:XL2L The leader replaces his weight on his right foot. The follower takes a step with her left foot across and in front of her other foot, continuing to turn another 90° to her left.
&. M:RL W:TR4L The leader replaces his weight on his left foot. The follower closes her right foot to her left foot, continuing to turn another 180° to her left.
8. M:RR W:RL2L The leader replaces his weight on his right foot, lowering his left hand as the follower completes her turn. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot, continuing to turn another 90° to her left.
 
 

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