If the basic Twinkle, also known as Forward Twinkle, begins with the leader moving forward, then it stands to reason that the Back Twinkle is a similar pattern with the leader beginning with a back step. Unlike the Forward Twinkle, however, the Back Twinkle in most instances begins with follower in outside partner position.

Like the term Twinkle, the title of Back Twinkle has been bestowed upon many different patterns by various dance schools; Figures such as Open Impetus (Int'l Waltz figure #20) and Outside Change ended in PP (Int'l Waltz figure #9b) are but a small sample of the patterns that have been coined Back Twinkle by certain American style dancers. Anything that begins with the leader stepping back and ended in promenade position could probably qualify.

Nonetheless, the most basic version of the Back Twinkle is a simple pattern consisting of 3 steps, beginning with a step backward on the leader's left foot in CBMP, with follower stepping forward in CBMP outside partner on right side. Steps 2 and 3 are similar to that of the Forward Twinkle, the pattern ending with feet closed in promenade position, ready to move down line of dance.

The figure begins in a similar alignment to the Forward Twinkle -- leader facing diagonally to wall -- although because he is moving backward, it is now described as "backing diagonal center against line of dance". It also ends like the Twinkle, with leader having no turn of the feet (but with slight upper body turn to right), follower turning 1/4 to right. A variation of the amount of turn acceptable at the bronze level is 1/8 to left for leader and 1/8 to right for follower.

The Back Twinkle may also be ended in any alignment that causes the next figure to move in the general direction of line of dance (i.e. diagonal center, line of dance, or diagonal wall), so when combined with the two possible variations of amounts of turn, the Back Twinkle can actually begin on any of the following leader's alignments:

• Backing against line of dance
• Backing diagonal center against line of dance
• Backing center
• Backing diagonal center