Impetus (waltz)

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The impetus is a ballroom dance step used in the waltz, foxtrot or quickstep. The open impetus is one of several ways to get into promenade position and is used to turn dancers around corners or change their direction on the dance floor. It is often performed after a natural turn.[1]

The open impetus has less turn than the closed impetus. The closed impetus remains in closed position, while the open impetus ends in an open promenade position.[2] Both have a heel turn for the man, that is, he turns on his left heel on the second beat.

Closed impetus

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Leader (man)
Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Left foot back Backing line of dance Begin to turn to right Toe – heel
2 Close right foot to left foot (heel turn) Facing diagonal center 38 turn to right between 1 and 2 Heel – toe
3 Left foot side and slightly back End backing diagonal center against line of dance 14 turn to right between 2 and 3 Toe – heel
1 Right foot back Backing diagonal center against line of dance Toe
Follower (lady)
Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Right foot forward Facing line of dance Begin to turn to right Heel – toe
2 Left foot to side Backing diagonal center 38 turn to right between 1 and 2 Toe
3 Right foot diag forward having brushed to left foot Backing diagonal wall 14 turn to right between 2 and 3 Toe – heel
1 Left foot forward Backing diagonal wall Heel

Open impetus

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The open impetus is a Silver syllabus variation on the closed impetus.

Leader (man)

Begin in closed position, backing line of dance.

Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Left foot back Backing line of dance Begin to turn to right Toe – heel
2 Close right foot to left foot (heel turn) Facing diagonal center 38 turn to right between 1 and 2 Heel – toe
3 Left foot diagonally forward in promenade position (PP) diagonal center Toe – heel
Follower (lady)

Begin in closed position, facing line of dance.

Beat Foot position Alignment Amount of turn Footwork
1 Right foot forward Facing line of dance Begin to turn to right Heel – toe
2 Left foot side. Brush right foot to left foot Facing diagonal wall against line of dance 38 turn to right between 1 and 2 Toe
3 Right foot side in PP diagonal center 38 turn to right between 2 and 3 (body turns less) Toe – heel

References

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