5 Essential Ballroom Moves to Master as an Intermediate Dancer
You’ve nailed the basics—now it’s time to elevate your ballroom repertoire. These five moves bridge the gap between beginner and advanced, adding flair, technique, and versatility to your dancing.
Pro Tip: Focus on one move at a time. Mastery comes from repetition, not rushing. Record yourself to spot areas for improvement.
1. The Hesitation Change
A graceful pause-and-turn sequence that teaches control and musicality. Start in closed position, step forward on the left foot (count 1), rise onto toes while pausing (count 2-3), then pivot 180° into promenade position. Perfect for playing with tempo in Viennese Waltz too.
2. The Corte
This dramatic dip-and-hold requires precise weight transfer. From promenade, step side-left (slow), drag right foot to meet left (quick), then lower into a deep lunge with the lady arched backward. Keep your frame rigid—no collapsing!
3. The Feather Step
The cornerstone of smooth dancing. Instead of stepping straight forward on the right foot, cross it slightly in front of the left with a subtle sway. Creates that signature "floating" feel. Practice without partner first to perfect the diagonal alignment.
4. The Lock Step
A speedy syncopation where feet cross tightly ("lock") between beats. Start with slow-quick-quick timing: step forward right, cross left behind right, then step right again. Keep knees soft to maintain bounce without hopping.
5. The Open Hip Twist
Intermediate Latin dancers must conquer this controlled rotation. From open position, lead the lady into a 90° turn while maintaining tension through connected arms. The secret? Rotate from the core, not the shoulders.
Drill Smarter: Practice each move to different songs—a Waltz hesitation feels radically different at 28 vs. 60 bars per minute. Adaptability is key.
