Whether danced at the Rainbow Room or in a tiny local venue, the foxtrot is a classic of the American ballroom scene. Whether you are a rank beginner, or seeking a brief refresher, How to Dance the Foxtrot clues you in to the basics.
Introduction
SLOW, SLOW, QUICK QUICK....Ahhhh, dancing school....Girls in white gloves, gawky boys in tuxes, berry punch in dainty glasses, awkward bows, shy curtsies. The waltz, the rumba, the quickstep, the two-step -- we gamely attempted them all. But the simple SLOW, SLOW, QUICK QUICK pattern of the foxtrot lingered in collective memory, long after the rest had faded....
If you are eager to learn the foxtrot (instead of being conscripted into it like most of us at dancing school!), follow these quick and easy steps.
Step 1: Basic Foxtrot for Female Partner
- (Just as in a line dance, you will always start the sequence with your right foot.)
- Face your partner, slightly offset to his left: The right side of your body should line up with the middle of his body. Your left hand rests lightly on his right shoulder, your right hand is at your eye level, fingers clasped lightly to his, palms together.
- With your right foot, take a step directly backward, sliding your left foot along the floor to meet it. (SLOW)
- With your left foot, take another step directly backward, sliding your right foot back to meet it. (SLOW)
- With your right foot, take a large step to the right, sliding your left foot along the floor to meet it. (QUICK)
- Your two feet together, simply step on your left foot. (QUICK) This completes the SLOW-SLOW-QUICK-QUICK sequence.
- Repeat this sequence until the music stops.
Step 2: Basic Foxtrot for Male Partner
(Just as in a line dance, you will always start the sequence with your left foot.)
- Face your partner, slightly offset to the left: The right side of your body should line up with the middle of her body. Your right hand rests lightly on her shoulder blade, your left hand is at your partner's eye level, fingers clasped lightly to hers, palms together.
- With your left foot, take a step directly forward, sliding your right foot along the floor to meet your left. (SLOW)
- With your right foot, take another step directly forward, sliding your left foot along to meet your right. (SLOW)
- With your left foot, take a wide step to your left, sliding your right foot along the floor to meet it. (QUICK)
- Your two feet together, simply step on your right foot. (QUICK) This completes the SLOW-SLOW-QUICK-QUICK sequence.
- Repeat this sequence until the music stops.
Conclusion
The joy of ballroom dancing lies not so much in the steps, but in the thrill of moving in rhythm, in sync with your partner, whether it be simply a dance partner -- or a romantic possibility! So relax, get set, go ... SLOW, SLOW, QUICK-QUICK! You've got it! That's the basic foxtrot!
