hi

i would like to know whixh shoulder should be leading after an open reverse turn in tango.
also when executing a back corte ie left foot back and which shoulder should be leading.
many thanks

confused.

There are two forms of the open reverse turn. If he will be taking the lady outside the man keeps his right side relatively back (underturned) on 2 to create a pre-cbmp position and of course keeps it back during the outside partner on 3. If he will be keeping her inline he brings his right side further around (after a tighter initial turn that closes her feet - the tango version of a heel turn) and takes his left side back on 3.

The back corte is documented without rotation on 1, so the diagonal movement is categorized as left side lead. But many prefer to dance it with body rotation on 1 taking the right side back with the left foot, then reversing this on 2.

If you dance the Open Reverse with the Lady in line, then the third step for man will be LF back, left side leading; but with the Lady outside, the shape is quite different, with LF back in CBMP, keeping the body very much in its position from the preceding step (to maintain good contact with partner), before taking RF back with CBM.

Step one of a Back Corte should be danced LF back, left side leading, but if the precede was something like a Rock on RF, it is not uncommon to see dancers straighten up (not more than square) for the LF back into the Corte, before taking the L side back again (through use of CBM) on step 2. This style is not strictly correct, but makes for a variety of shape, and dances well enough.

Snap! But be careful about that 'Lady in line' nearly heel turn. The feet don't close, but the L heel closes to the R heel, without foot swivel, so that the LF points down LOD, with the toes wide apart.

this totally clears the air. thanks both to anymouse and telemark.

What I mean is the action that tango uses in the situations where the other dances have a heel turn. See for example the same description in the quasi-telemark of the oversway. Given the action of tango it is more about placing the foot already turned than turning on it. And as with most backwards turning steps, the first step is often placed with more turn-in than written, especially in the versions with the most overall turn.

In answer to stevenliu question I'm not sure if he is aking about an Open Reverse Turn with an Open Finish.You guys do know that there is a Open Reverse Turn in the Tango with an Open Finish on which the sixth step is in CBMP and therefor the left side is leading. The question was "after the Open Reverse Turn" and nothing to do with the third step which is in CBMP going backwards with the right shoulder leading.
Interesting though. Even with a Closed Finish and then maybe a Progressive Link or a Walk on the left foot which would come after the "Open Reverse" Turn The right side leads because both moves are in CBMP.

thanks for your concern, "me"
my question should have read after the 3rd step of an open reverse turn o/s partner.
since i wanted to follow it with an extension ie neutralizing the shoulder and again the right shouler lead outside partner situation eg '&S', followed by a tango closed.

sl

Yes, we do. Of course, an open finish is always interchangeable with any closed finish.

The unusual direction taken in the final step, OP, is a favourite examiner's question in professional exams. An easy mark, if you're in the know.