Foxtrot Steps

Foxtrot, a ballroom style dance is characterized by long, fast and continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is a smooth progressive dance that includes a blend of amazing walks and quick gliding steps, which makes it ideal for social dancing. Although foxtrot steps are quite similar to waltz, they involve long walking movements with rise and fall actions in a more subtle manner. Now before moving on to basic foxtrot steps, let us first have a look in to its history. Learn more on ballroom dancing.

History of Foxtrot Dance

Foxtrot was introduced by a theater artist named Harry Fox in 1931and since then it has undergone various stylistic changes. The original form of dance was more fast, simple and unrefined, which later adapted a smoother and more free flowing style of dancing. Further a modified version of foxtrot, involving slow, continuous movements was evolved by the English. Though this style of foxtrot didn't catch on quickly and require quite a bit of time and effort to master, with the advent of competitive dancing it eventually became popular and now is the technical basis for the foxtrot dance version we have today.

Foxtrot Dance

Foxtrot dance is performed in a closed position, i.e. one has to face his/her partner and hold each other close. The basic rhythm for this dance form is slow, slow, quick, quick, wherein the slow foxtrot steps utilize two beats of music and the quick steps utilize one. Learn more on foxtrot dance steps.

Foxtrot Dance Movements

Forward Footwork: The key elements of foxtrot dance are walking steps and side steps. Forward walking steps are usually carried out with the heel first in contact with the floor and the toe going down as the body moves over it.

Backward Footwork: The backward walks are carried out with the toe first and then the heel going down. Simultaneously, as the body moves away, the toe of the forward foot should be released from the floor. For side steps and chasses, in place of heel generally the toe is used first.

Rise and Fall: The rise and fall steps in foxtrot are more subtle than in waltz, using 3 step cycle with the continuous passing of the feet in a lengthwise manner.

Contra Body Movement: Contra body movement is the standard ballroom dance move used to begin the rotational movements.

Sway Sway: It is a sweep movement performed when the body is inclined to either left or right side.

Continuity: It involves a series of passing steps without any closing or chasses moves.

Foxtrot Dance Steps

Foxtrot Steps for Gentlemen

* Stand facing your partner, with your partner's right hand in your left hand.
* Keep your right hand below her left arm, slowly pressing her left shoulder blade.
* Take a slow step by stepping forward with your left foot with heel parallel to the floor, followed by your toes.
* Likewise make a second slow movement with your right foot, while rising your posture simultaneously.
* Now take a quick step by moving your left foot forward near to your right foot and then sidestep towards left without touching the floor.
* Likewise make a second quick movement by taking your right foot close to your left foot and then sidestepping to the right.

Foxtrot Steps for Lady

* Stand close to your partner with your right hand on his right hand and left hand resting on his right shoulder.
* As he moves forward with his left foot, slowly step back with your right foot with heel parallel to the floor, followed by your toes.
* In the second slow step, raise your left foot and slowly step back while passing the right foot.
* For the next step, lift your right foot in level with the left, and step a bit to the right ensuring that the length of this stride is in accordance to your partner's stride.
* In the closing step, keep your left foot in parallel to the right and transfer your weight to the right foot, until your partner indicates the start of the next sequence of foxtrot steps.

You may also like reading:

* Ballroom Dance Types
* Ballroom Dance Steps

The aforementioned foxtrot steps are easy to follow and requires a little bit of practice to master. Now that you know the basic foxtrot moves and steps, try practicing with your partner and enjoy this beautiful and fun to do dance form.