How to Dance Quickstep Forward and Backward Locks

The short answer: a Quickstep lock travels diagonally down the room, with the feet crossing in the middle of the figure. It's counted slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, from the step into CBMP to the step outside partner at the end. To dance it light and controlled, get three things clear: your alignment, your feet positions and your footwork. On the backward lock, keep your heels off the floor through the cross so your weight stays controlled.

What is a lock in Quickstep?

In the Forward Lock you step diagonally forward twice, with the right foot crossing behind the left in between. You face diagonal to wall, but because of those two diagonal steps it feels like you're moving sideways down the room. In the backward lock the feet cross in front instead. In the video I go through both, for man and lady.

Why do alignment and CBMP matter in a Quickstep lock?

The Forward Lock starts facing diagonal to wall, an eighth of a turn between line of dance and the wall. That's where the technique book starts it, and knowing your alignment gives you more balance and control. CBMP is like two tracks becoming one: the moving foot goes onto the line of the supporting foot. You use it on the entry and the exit of the lock, when you're outside your partner. It's the position that lets the couple stay in contact and keep the frame.

What makes a Quickstep lock look light and silky?

Quickstep isn't slow, heavy or lazy. It's light, airy, quick and silky, "like silk on the wind", as my coach used to say. Good Ballroom dancing comes from the swing through your legs: the better the swing, the better the movement. Then it's how you roll through your feet. Your heels control your balance and how your weight is distributed, and that decides what the lock looks like.

How do you dance the Quickstep Forward and Backward Lock?

1. Alignment: find your line of dance and the wall, then face diagonal to wall to start the Forward Lock.
2. Forward Lock feet positions: right foot forward in CBMP outside partner, left foot diagonally forward, right foot crosses behind, left foot diagonally forward, right foot forward in CBMP outside partner.
3. Forward Lock footwork: heel toe, toe, toe, toe heel, then heel on the last step (it goes onto the toe depending on the next step).
4. Backward Lock feet positions: left foot back in CBMP, right foot back, left foot crosses in front, right foot diagonally back, then left foot back in CBMP, underneath your body.
5. Backward Lock footwork: toe heel, toe, then toe as the left foot crosses with the heel pulled to the toe and both heels off the floor, then toe heel, toe heel.
6. Timing: slow, quick, quick, slow, slow for both locks, with the quicks on the lock itself.

Common mistakes

• Lowering a heel too early on the backward lock. If the heel drops before the cross is finished, you pull your partner over.
• Placing the last step of the backward lock on an angle instead of underneath your body in CBMP, which pulls you both off balance as your partner comes outside you.
• Starting the lock without knowing your alignment, so the diagonal steps have no clear direction.
• Dancing the lock heavy and flat instead of rolling through the feet with a light, silky swing.

Try this in your next practice

Write the feet positions and footwork down on a piece of paper. Find line of dance and diagonal to wall in your practice space, then walk the Forward Lock slowly, saying the footwork out loud: heel toe, toe, toe, toe heel, heel. Add the timing, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow. Then do the backward lock, keeping both heels off the floor through the cross and lowering only as the moving foot passes.

Frequently asked questions

How fast is Quickstep music?

WDSF competition rules set Quickstep at 50 to 52 bars a minute.

How do you count a Quickstep lock?

Slow for the step into CBMP, quick, quick for the lock, slow to come out of it and lower, and slow for the step outside partner at the end.

When should my heel lower on the backward lock?

Whenever you go backwards in Ballroom dancing, the moment your heel lowers is the moment you've completed the step. So keep your back heel off the floor as you cross, and lower as the moving foot passes. That controls your weight and your down swing into the next movement.

Why does the last step of the backward lock need to be in CBMP?

Because your partner is outside you. Stepping underneath your body in CBMP keeps you in contact and keeps the frame. If that step goes on an angle, you pull each other off balance.

Can I use this lock technique in Waltz?

Yes. The same lock technique also applies to Waltz.

Related lessons

• Quickstep basic and advanced routine
• Advanced Quickstep demonstration
• Footwork and foot positions in Ballroom dancing
• Cha Cha Cha forward and backward locks

Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.