Change step


The closed change is a Pre-Bronze, or newcomer waltz figure, performed in closed position.
Changes may start of the right foot or left foot, moving forward or backward. This makes four different types of closed changes. Combining two changes results in a box step.
In right changes the man starts from the right foot, while in left ones the man starts from the left foot.
The figures are called "changes" because they allow dancers to change from natural turn to reverse turn and vice versa. For example, a basic practising variation in waltz goes as follows:
  1. Dance 1–6 steps of natural turn,
  2. then 1–3 steps of closed change from natural to reverse,
  3. then 1–6 steps of reverse turn,
  4. then 1–3 steps of closed change from reverse to natural,
  5. repeat until the music stops or partner drops.
Other change steps include the hesitation change and the outside change, described below.

Closed change from natural to reverse turn

The man steps forward on right foot while the lady steps backward on the opposing foot. They will then step to the side on the other foot, and conclude the figure by closing the first foot beside the second. Each step takes up a full beat of the music.
A turn of up to is optional. There will be slight contra body movement on 1, and sway on 2,3.
;Leader
;Follower

Other closed changes

The closed change from reverse to natural turn is the mirror image of the move just described. Backward changes start with the leader stepping back and the follower stepping forward.

Hesitation change

The hesitation change is a Bronze syllabus figure. The first 3 steps are identical to the natural turn. The last 3 steps comprise the "hesitation". The leader's heel pull allows time to change directions or pause for floor craft.
;Leader

Outside change

The outside change is a Bronze syllabus figure. It has regular waltz rise and fall over the three beat phrase.
;Leader
;Follower