Lock (waltz)
# Lock (waltz)

There are several types of lock step in waltz dancing, including International Standard waltz. A "lock step" is when the moving foot approaches to the standing foot and crosses in front of or behind it, creating a "check" position.

There are several locking steps in waltz, including: the back lock, which is a Bronze syllabus figure; the turning lock, of the Silver syllabus; and the turning lock to right, of the Gold syllabus.

## Back lock

The back lock is a Bronze syllabus step. It is a progressive figure borrowed from quickstep. It is commonly used as the ending to a progressive chassé to right.

### Leader (man)

| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Footwork |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Left foot back in contra body movement position (CBMP) | Backing diagonal wall | Toe – heel |
| 2 (1⁄2 beat) | Right foot back | Backing diagonal wall | Toe |
| & (1⁄2 beat) | Left foot crosses in front of right foot | Backing diagonal wall | Toe |
| 3 | Right foot diagonally back | Backing diagonal wall | Toe – heel |

### Follower (lady)

| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Footwork |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Right foot forward in CBMP, outside partner (OP) | Facing diagonal wall | Heel – toe |
| 2 (1⁄2 beat) | Left foot diagonally forward | Facing diagonal wall | Toe |
| & (1⁄2 beat) | Right foot crosses behind left foot | Facing diagonal wall | Toe |
| 3 | Left foot diagonally forward | Facing diagonal wall | Toe – heel |

## Forward lock

The forward lock is the same figure as the back lock, only with reversed roles between leader and follower.

## Turning lock

The turning lock is a Silver syllabus step. It transitions from a right turning figure into a left-turning one.

### Leader (man)

| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 (1⁄2 beat) | Right foot back, right side leading | Backing diagonal center | | Toe |
| & (1⁄2 beat) | Left foot crosses in front of right foot | Backing diagonal center | | Toe |
| 2 | Right foot back and slightly right | Backing diagonal center | Start to turn left | Toe |
| 3 | Left foot to side and slightly forward | Pointing diagonal wall | 1⁄4 between 2 and 3, body turns less | Toe – heel |
| 1 | Right foot forward in CBMP, OP | Facing diagonal wall | | Heel |

### Follower (lady)

| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 (1⁄2 beat) | Left foot forward, left side leading | Facing diagonal center | | Toe |
| & (1⁄2 beat) | Right foot crosses behind left foot | Facing diagonal center | | Toe |
| 2 | Left foot forward and slightly left | Facing diagonal center | Start to turn left | Toe |
| 3 | Right foot to side and slightly back | Backing diagonal wall | 1⁄4 between 2 and 3, body turns less | Toe – heel |
| 1 | Left foot back in CBMP | Backing diagonal wall | | Toe |

## Turning lock to right

The turning lock to right is a Gold syllabus step. It was only added to the ISTD syllabus after 1966, due to its increasing popularity.

### Leader (man)

| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 (1⁄2 beat) | Right foot back right side leading | Backing line of dance | | Toe |
| & (1⁄2 beat) | Left foot crosses loosely in front of right foot | Facing center | 1⁄4 to right between 1 and "&" | Toe |
| 2 | Right foot to side and slightly forward, small step, between partner's feet | Facing diagonal center | 1⁄8 between "&" and 2 | Toe |
| 3 | Left foot diagonal forward, left side leading in promenade position (PP) | Pointing diagonal center, body facing line of dance | Slight body turn to right | Toe – heel |

### Follower (lady)

| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 (1⁄2 beat) | Left foot forward, left side leading | Facing line of dance | | Toe |
| & (1⁄2 beat) | Right foot crosses loosely behind left foot | Backing center | 1⁄4 to right between 1 and "&" | Toe |
| 2 | Left foot to side and slightly back | Backing diagonal center | 1⁄8 between "&" and 2 | Toe |
| 3 | Right foot to side in PP, having brushed towards left foot | Pointing to center, moving diagonal center | 3⁄8 between 2 and 3, body turns less | Toe – heel |
