A Contra Check is commenced in closed position and usually after a closing of the feet by both man and lady. Depending on the dance, it can be done quickly and sharply, as in Tango, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz, (it can also be danced slowly in Tango and Quickstep, but generally from a quick entry) which gives a very dramatic effect, or slowly and elegantly as in the Waltz or Foxtrot to fill several bars of music. A back Contra Check is proceeded by a reverse Heel Turn in most cases.
When dancing the Contra Check, beginners usually make the mistake of not keeping the body over the standing or supporting foot until the stepping foot has made contacted with the floor. This is often seen when a couple lunge forward with an almost stabbing action, dropping into the Contra with bent knees, and the man leaning over his partner who is trying desperately not to fall backwards. This is because the man's body has continued to travel forward from the previous step, pushing the lady backwards. Remember, this figure is called a Contra Check, so the first thing to do is to check or stop the forward momentum.
The weight must be kept on the standing foot for both man and lady until the stepping foot contacts the floor. As the man's stepping foot travels forward and the lady's back, in Contra Boby Movement Position (CBMP), there must be a weight change backwards (for the man) and forwards for the lady to balance this out. This automatically checks the body. Now roll through the standing foot very strongly and transfer the weight onto the stepping foot, which is slightly turned out for the man and in for the lady. At this point the man can either step onto a heel or flat and the lady can either dance a toe, heel or just a toe. This weight transfer puts the man into a normal upright position and initiates the lady's beautiful head and body line as the figure is completed. At the end of the Contra Check, keep the sides long and the man must remember to look at his beautiful partner as she turns her head strongly to the left.
The second big problem that many dancers have with this figure, is that they lose contact as they go into the final check action. To correct this, both partners must keep their hips forward, (particularly the lady) so that contact and control is maintained. To prevent this from happening the lady should rather not drop onto the heel when stepping back.
Another common fault beginners make is to not step across the body, giving a wide-legged affect and causing loss of balance and a very ungainly picture. Since the Contra Check position is often held for a bar of music or more, the picture created by the couple must be clean and attractive from top to bottom.
A Contra Check well dance is one of the hallmarks of a good standard ballroom dancer which shows that particular attention to detail has been thoroughly practised by the couple. There is no in-between; a Contract Check either looks stunning or ghastly.