Back Whisk
- Level
- See notes.
- Timing
- (123)
- Rotation
- None, ⅛, ¼, or ⅜ to Right.
Notes
Level: In both ISTD and IDTA, the syllabus level of the Back Whisk depends on the alignment of the Promenade Position it produces.
Bronze is any Back Whisk ending Diagonal to Wall or down Line of Dance.
Silver is any Back Whisk ending Diagonal to Center or facing Center.
The logic behind this is that at a Bronze level, a dancer's only Promenade Figure is Chassé from PP. If they were to dance this toward Diagonal Center or Center, the Bronze dancer knows no figures (such as the Closed Wing) that can efficiently initiate a reverse turn and take them to the corner again. At a Silver Level, the step list is expanded by Weave from PP, Wing, and Cross Hesitation, making the Back Whisk ending Diagonal Center a viable option.
Back Whisk turned to Right vs. Fallaway Whisk
In the ISTD and IDTA syllabi, the Back Whisk can be turned 3/8 to Diagonal Center following 1-3 Natural Turn. This can cause confusion, as this alignment is also used by the Fallaway Whisk. Our recommendation is to use the Back Whisk turned to Right technique for turns up to ¼, and the Fallaway Whisk technique for rotations of ⅜.
Level: In both ISTD and IDTA, the syllabus level of the Back Whisk depends on the alignment of the Promenade Position it produces.
Bronze is any Back Whisk ending Diagonal to Wall or down Line of Dance.
Silver is any Back Whisk ending Diagonal to Center or facing Center.
The logic behind this is that at a Bronze level, a dancer's only Promenade Figure is Chassé from PP. If they were to dance this toward Diagonal Center or Center, the Bronze dancer knows no figures (such as the Closed Wing) that can efficiently initiate a reverse turn and take them to the corner again. At a Silver Level, the step list is expanded by Weave from PP, Wing, and Cross Hesitation, making the Back Whisk ending Diagonal Center a viable option.
Back Whisk turned to Right vs. Fallaway Whisk
In the ISTD and IDTA syllabi, the Back Whisk can be turned 3/8 to Diagonal Center following 1-3 Natural Turn. This can cause confusion, as this alignment is also used by the Fallaway Whisk. Our recommendation is to use the Back Whisk turned to Right technique for turns up to ¼, and the Fallaway Whisk technique for rotations of ⅜.
Video examples
Video Example 1
Notes
-7C shows a Back Whisk (1st Step Outside Partner) taken to Diagonal Wall against Line of Dance. This would be Bronze.
-7D shows a Back Whisk turned ¼ to Right that is ended facing Center. This would be Silver.
-7C shows a Back Whisk (1st Step Outside Partner) taken to Diagonal Wall against Line of Dance. This would be Bronze.
-7D shows a Back Whisk turned ¼ to Right that is ended facing Center. This would be Silver.
Video Example 2
Notes
There are three instances of the Back Whisk here:
1. Occurs at 0:26
Entry Figure: Hover Corté
Exit Figure: Chassé from PP
2. and 3. Occur in sequence at 1:02
Entry Figure: Left Whisk (Untwist)
Back Whisk
Open Natural Turn from PP
Back Whisk
Exit Figure: Wing
There are three instances of the Back Whisk here:
1. Occurs at 0:26
Entry Figure: Hover Corté
Exit Figure: Chassé from PP
2. and 3. Occur in sequence at 1:02
Entry Figure: Left Whisk (Untwist)
Back Whisk
Open Natural Turn from PP
Back Whisk
Exit Figure: Wing
Video Example 3
Notes
This video offers two different takes on the Back Whisk.
1. Occurs at 0:46 and shows the following amalgamation:
1-5 Hover Corté
3&1 Outside Spin
2-3 Back Whisk
As discussed in the Waltz Video Analysis, this sequence is not permitted in syllabus Waltz. However, the addition of 2-3 Back Whisk after a Spin is an element present in the Quick Natural Spin Turn.
2. Occurs at 0:52
Entry Figure: 1-3 Natural Turn
Exit Figure: Wing
This video offers two different takes on the Back Whisk.
1. Occurs at 0:46 and shows the following amalgamation:
1-5 Hover Corté
3&1 Outside Spin
2-3 Back Whisk
As discussed in the Waltz Video Analysis, this sequence is not permitted in syllabus Waltz. However, the addition of 2-3 Back Whisk after a Spin is an element present in the Quick Natural Spin Turn.
2. Occurs at 0:52
Entry Figure: 1-3 Natural Turn
Exit Figure: Wing
Video Example 4
Notes
There are two instances of the Back Whisk in this video:
1. Occurs at 0:53
Entry Figure: Left Whisk (Untwist)
Exit Figure: Wing
2. Occurs at 1:19
Entry Figure: Left Whisk (Untwist)
Exit Figure: Wing
There are two instances of the Back Whisk in this video:
1. Occurs at 0:53
Entry Figure: Left Whisk (Untwist)
Exit Figure: Wing
2. Occurs at 1:19
Entry Figure: Left Whisk (Untwist)
Exit Figure: Wing