| Social dance |
© Steven A. Henkel, 4/20
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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 |
Hand Cues * Beats Step forw on L (woman back on R) Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand Step forw on R (woman back on L) Push w/ L hand Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand Close R ft next to L (woman close L ft next to R)
Push w/ R hand Back (Forw)
Pull w/ both hands Step back on R (woman forw on L) Pull w/ both hands Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Push w/ R hand Step forw on L (woman back on R) Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand Step back on R (woman forw on L) Pull w/ both hands Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Push w/ R hand Step forw on L (woman back on R) Forw (Back)
Push w/ L hand Step back on R (woman forw on L ) Pull w/ both hands 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 Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Push w/ R hand 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 Step forw on R ft new line of direction (woman forw on L) Push w/ R hand 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 Close R ft next to L (woman close L ft next to R)
Push w/ R hand 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 Step forw on R ft new line of direction (woman forw on L and pivot 180 to right) Push w/ R hand Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft while completing turn) Pull w/ L hand Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Pull w/ L hand 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
Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand Step to right on R ft; brush L ft next to R (woman step left on L ft and brush R ft)
Pull w/ L hand opposite way Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Push w/ R hand Step to left on L ft (woman step right on R ft) Pull w/ L hand; push w/ R hand Close R ft next to L (woman close left ft next to R)
Push w/ R hand * 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.