CONTRA CHECK

The contra check is a phase V figure used in all the smooth rhythms. The man turns his body left face, flexes his knees, and steps forward on his left with strong contra-body action. Contra-body action occurs when one steps with one foot (in this case, the left) but leads with the opposite side of the torso (in this case, the right). As he steps forward, he turns his left toe out for greater stability.
Heads are closed (right for the man and left for the woman). But notice that the man does not look anywhere near as far right as the woman looks left. He mustn't get out of good closed dance position. He is still looking over her right shoulder; he is still looking out of his own "window," but he is maybe looking out of a right pane of that window.
During the step, the woman is always careful to delay the taking of weight. She lets the man determine how long the step will be. If she takes weight too soon, she may cut off the flow of his movement (and hers). She may get her toes stepped on, too.
Photos © A. Miller; F. Lepretre; P. Sosabowski; P. Suba; from Dancesport UK photo gallery.