Quickstep Locks

One of the most common Quickstep infractions is dancing multiple sets of locks forward or backward.  Many people dance two (or more) sets of locks in a row because 1. Locks flow naturally into each other and 2. Multiple locks in a row send a couple flying down the floor, which is an attractive prospect especially for lower level dancers who do not yet have access to other figures that accomplish the same goal.  Furthermore, lock steps define syllabus Quickstep – a full third of the Quickstep syllabus involves locking actions – so more are better, right?   

On Back Locks, the book is very clear.  Precede for all levels: Progressive Chasse to Right.  Follows: Closed Impetus, Tipple Chasse to Right, Running Finish, with Tipsy to Right added at Gold.   Specific figures are spelled out in a way that clearly indicates a Back Lock may not Precede or Follow itself.[1]

As an additional note on Back Locks, we have the Natural Turn and Back Lock.  Though this figure gets its own chart form due to alignment differences and slight alterations in foot positions, a Natural Turn and Back Lock is basically just a Back Lock with a different entrance.  Therefore, I would classify 1-3 of a Natural Turn as a second Precede for a Back Lock along with the Progressive Chasse to Right.  (Follows for Natural Turn and Back Lock are identical to the Follows for the figure called Back Lock.) 

Forward Locks are not addressed so clearly.  Precedes are, “Any figure ending with the Right Foot forward Outside Partner.”  Follows are, “Any Natural figure” in Bronze, and a number of more specific figures in Silver and Gold.  What do we do with this?  If we go by the Precedes, Forward Locks should be okay to dance twice since they end RF forward OP.  If we go by the Follows, double locks would not be allowed, as a Forward Lock does not meet the definition of “natural figure” because it doesn’t turn to the right.

Discussions of specific technique book language are fascinating (to some of us!) and valuable.  However, in practical terms, the ambiguity of the book’s wording on Forward Locks doesn’t translate into much gray area for Invigilators.  Most Invigilators would likely call up couples dancing multiple sets of locks, so it’s best to avoid the problem entirely by dancing only one lock at a time. 

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[1] By Back Lock, I mean the specific figure called Back Lock.  A V6 incorporates a type of backwards lock, but is not what I’m discussing here.  That being said, you may not throw an extra backwards locking action into a V6 either.