Monterey Turn

The Monterey Turn is a four-count turn performed in place with flashy points to the side. ✨ Teachers tend to have a lot of trouble communicating how to execute this move. The Monterey Turn is not intuitive for learners, it requires a slow walking through count by count, and move by move.
 
Count 1: Point your right foot to the side.
🚨 Important: This foot does not take weight, and it does not push off the floor.

Count &2: As you pull the right foot back underneath your body, the momentum created by that action allows you to turn ¼, ½, or even a full turn to the right while pivoting on the ball of the left foot. Finish by taking weight on the right foot.
 
Count 3: Point the left foot to the side.
 
Count 4: Bring the left foot back under your body and take weight.
 
💡 Common Mistake
I frequently see dancers push off the pointed foot or step onto the foot that's supposed to be pointed to the side. While that may seem easier, it's actually impossible to execute a smooth ½ or full Monterey Turn that way. More importantly, it changes the mechanics of the step.
Remember: Point... Pull... Pivot. 🎯
📝 Step Sheet Shorthand
1 ➡️ R Point Side
&2 🔄 Turn ¼ Right on Left Foot, R Close
3 ⬅️ L Point Side
4 👣 L Close
 
The Monterey Turn is one of my personal favorites!! I have never thought, “There are too many Monterey Turns in Line Dancing.” Going through NTA training I learned that the 1/2 Monterey Turn used to be the most common way it was danced, line dancing made the 1/4 turn popular. I also had to figure out how to perform a Monterey spin to pass one of my tests. That will keep you busy if you are looking for a challenge. Let me know if you know of a line dance with a full Monterey Turn!