Social Dance:

Foxtrot Overview

The foxtrot follows a 6-count beat with the tempo "slow, slow, quick, quick." The quick counts are twice as fast as the slow counts. Since the dance follows a 4/4 meter, performing the slow, slow, quick, quick one time takes 1-1/2 measures. The most frequent position used for dancing the foxtrot is the closed dance position, described as follows:

Man's L hand held up at shoulder height like platter
Man's R hand placed on woman's back on L shoulder blade
Woman's R hand placed on man's L hand
Woman's L hand placed on man's R shoulder and her L arm rests on his R arm
Couple stands off center to the left so the man's R foot can pass between the woman's two feet
Both dancers look straight ahead

Further overview is provided at the links noted for foxtrot history, footwork for the basic step, and descriptions and video of additional steps. Foxtrot history Basic step footwork
Step
Description *
Verbal Cues
Hand Cues * Beats
Step forw on L (woman back on R)

Forw (Back)

Push w/ L hand
1-2
Step forw on R (woman back on L)
Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand
3-4
Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft)
Side
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
5
Close R ft next to L (woman close L ft next to R)
Close
Push w/ R hand
6
Step back on L (woman forw on R)

Back (Forw)

Pull w/ both hands
1-2
Step back on R (woman forw on L)
Back (Forw)
Pull w/ both hands
3-4
Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft)
Side
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
5
Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Close
Push w/ R hand
6
Step forw on L (woman back on R)

Forw (Back)

Push w/ L hand
1-2
Step back on R (woman forw on L)
Back (Forw)
Pull w/ both hands
3-4
Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft)
Side
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
5
Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Close
Push w/ R hand
6
Step forw on L (woman back on R)

Forw (Back)

Push w/ L hand
1-2
Step back on R (woman forw on L )
Back (forw)
Pull w/ both hands
3-4
Step to left on L ft w/ 1/4-turn left (woman step to right on R ft w/ 1/4-turn right)

Turn

Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
5
Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Close
Push w/ R hand
6
Step forw on L ft while turning 1/4-turn left (woman step w/R ft and turn right)

Walk

Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
1-2
Step forw on R ft new line of direction (woman forw on L)
Walk
Push w/ R hand
3-4
Step to left on L ft w/ 1/4-turn right to face original direction (woman step on R and turn left)

Turn

Push w/ L hand; pull w/ R hand
5
Close R ft next to L (woman close L ft next to R)
Close
Push w/ R hand
6
Step forw on L ft while turning 1/4-turn left (woman step w/R ft and begin turn right)

Walk

Raise L hand to raise woman's R hand; push with R hand
1-2
Step forw on R ft new line of direction (woman forw on L and pivot 180 to right)
Turn
Push w/ R hand
3-4
Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft while completing turn)
Side
Pull w/ L hand
5
Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Close
Pull w/ L hand
6

Step to left on L ft; brush R ft next to L (woman step right on R ft and brush L ft)
* 'Brush' means to drag the foot while swaying to other side


Step-brush
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
1-2

Step to right on R ft; brush L ft next to R (woman step left on L ft and brush R ft)


Step-brush
Pull w/ L hand opposite way
3-4
Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft)
Side
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
5
Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Close
Push w/ R hand
6
Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft)
Side
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand
7
Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Close
Push w/ R hand
8

* Throughout descriptions, it is assumed that a man is leading the dance and a woman is following, though either gender could assume either role. Here directions and cues different for the woman are noted in parentheses. Cues with the L hand for leader are VERY subtle. The main ways to cue the follower are by stepping assertively the correct direction and by applying pressure with the R hand on the shoulder blade at appropriate times.

 
Social dance

© Steven A. Henkel, 4/20

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