Rock steps are a common element of Tango, especially those that turn, subtly or dramatically, to the left.

The Left-Turning Rock is the shifting of weight forward and back, from right foot to left and back again. Each step is taken in CBMP, with the free foot held in CBMP. The left foot is always the forward step, and the right foot is always the back step.

Step pairs can be taken to the counts of "slow, slow" or "quick quick". They can be begun with either the left foot forward or the right foot back, allowing for many possibilities of preceding and following figures.

Groups of three steps are also possible, such as forward-back-forward, or back-forward-back. These are either danced to the counts "slow, quick quick" or to the counts "quick quick slow".

Rocks can be repeated as desired, and can be taken on any alignment, turning up to 1/2 with each two steps -- the maximum amount possible without pivoting the feet (This is known as a Reverse Pivot, a technique introduced at a higher level). Note that the amount of turn given on Left-Turning Rocks is "between" steps, whereas it is described as occurring "on" each step of a Reverse Pivot.

The footwork of the step back on the right foot can be ball or ball-heel, depending on the timing of the step. On a slow step, the body weight has enough time to move completely over the foot. However, on a quick step, while the heel may lower toward the floor, it will probably not have time to lower completely.