Some dance tips are big, dramatic “aha” moments… and some are so small they’re almost invisible—but make a huge difference. In this video, Anthony and Rose from Country Dance Orlando reveal one of those hidden gems: a tiny foot placement detail that affects nearly every turn in partner dancing. Whether you’re doing Two-Step, West Coast Swing, Polka, or even Cha Cha, this one small thing can make leading and following turns way easier—and way smoother.
So here’s the big secret: the follower must be on the correct foot in order to turn. That’s it. That’s the tip. But if you’re a leader and you’re not paying attention to what foot she’s on when you ask for a turn, it’s no wonder the turn feels off. And if you’re a follower and don’t have your weight properly over your foot, you’re going to struggle with balance and timing no matter how good the lead is.
Anthony breaks it down in a super clear way:
- If the follower is facing forward and you want her to turn left, she needs to be on her left foot.
- If you want her to turn right, she needs to be on her right foot.
- But if she’s moving backward, it flips. Turning right? She needs to be on her left. Turning left? She needs to be on her right.
It sounds confusing at first, but they give a great visual explanation showing how the same foot position applies whether the follower is facing forward or backward—it’s just a mirror image.
This tip applies across multiple dance styles, and they give clear examples in Two-Step, West Coast Swing, and Polka to show how timing and foot placement make or break the lead. Whether you’re in promenade, sweetheart, or open position, knowing when she’s ready to turn is essential.
Leaders—this part is for you: your job is to focus more on what she’s doing than on what you’re doing. If she’s not on the correct foot, the turn won’t feel good, no matter how cool the move is. A big chunk of great leading comes down to great timing and awareness of your partner’s position, not just memorizing steps.
They also talk about the most common timing mistake: leading the turn too early or too late. The turn should start as soon as the follower’s weight lands on the correct foot—not before, not after. This takes a little more attention, but when it’s right, the turn flows like magic.
Even if you’re an experienced dancer, this might be the missing piece that clears up some of your turn struggles. And for beginners learning to dance Two-Step or West Coast Swing in Orlando, this is gold. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing it better.
At Country Dance Orlando, Anthony and Rose teach this kind of partner awareness and timing in every class. Whether you’re brand new to dancing or brushing up your skills, you’ll get hands-on practice with real feedback to help you actually feel the difference the right footwork makes.
So if you’ve been wondering why your turns sometimes feel awkward, this might be the simple fix. Watch the video, try it out in class, and pay attention to which foot your partner’s on before the turn. That one little detail might be all it takes to smooth things out.