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Social Dance5 minutes

Foxtrot Basic Step: How to Dance Both Roles

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In short
  • The Foxtrot basic sequence consists of two slow walking steps and a quick side-close pair.
  • The leader dances forward with the left foot, forward with the right foot, to the side with the left foot, then closes with the right foot.
  • The follower dances backward with the right foot, backward with the left foot, to the side with the right foot, then closes with the left foot.
  • You count slow, slow, quick, quick, and change your weight-bearing foot with each step.

On your first try, your feet often want to move faster than the count. A simple sequence helps you avoid constantly looking down while still knowing which foot comes next.

What you need for your first run-through

  • Comfortable shoes with secure support and a sole that glides smoothly
  • A clear, level space for two small walking steps
  • A second person to practice with
  • The roles: leader and follower

Four steps take six musical beats

The basic sequence explained here belongs to social Foxtrot, as you’ll often learn it in a beginner course. It is a straight sequence without a turn. The terms Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick describe the duration of the steps: a Slow takes two musical beats, a Quick takes one. That means four steps take six beats in total. For a Slow, you step once and let time pass instead of taking a new step on every beat.

To get started, it helps to count one-two, three-four, five, six. Your feet land on one, three, five, and six. This is a practice count for the sequence, not a new time signature: Foxtrot is danced in 4/4 time. So when you later repeat the sequence without stopping, each basic sequence does not begin on the first beat of a measure.

The foot names always refer to your own body. When you’re facing each other, your left is not your partner’s left. This means the two side steps take you together toward the same side of the room. You can find an overview of the dance styles under Foxtrot, Slowfox, and Quickstep. The overview of learning Foxtrot in social dancing explains how this becomes shared dance practice.

To get started, your shoes don't need to be particularly elegant or have a high heel.
To get started, your shoes don't need to be particularly elegant or have a high heel.

Dance the basic sequence together

  1. Set roles and starting feet

    Stand facing each other. The leading dancer puts their weight on the right foot and keeps the left foot free; the following dancer puts their weight on the left foot and keeps the right foot free. Both can briefly lift their starting foot without tilting their upper body to the side.

  2. Take a relaxed dance hold

    The leader places their right hand on the follower’s left shoulder blade, while the follower places their left hand on the leader’s right upper arm. Keep your other hands loosely connected. Keep your elbows soft and leave room to move between your feet.

  3. Take the first slow walking step

    On “one,” the lead steps forward with the left foot, and the follow steps backward with the right. On “two,” stay on that step without placing the other foot down. Keep the step small enough that no one has to move out of the way.

  4. Take the second slow walking step

    On “three,” the leader steps forward with their right foot, and the follower steps backward with their left. On “four,” there is no additional step. You continue moving straight ahead and remain facing each other, rather than starting a turn already.

  5. Take the quick side step

    On “five,” the leader steps left to their own left side, and the follower steps right to their own right side. Keep the distance small. Both move toward the same side of the room; your feet stay side by side, without crossing.

  6. Quickly bring the free foot in

    On “six,” the leader closes their right foot next to their left, and the follower closes their left foot next to their right. Transfer your weight onto the closing foot. After that, the leader's left foot is free, and the follower's right foot is free.

  7. Complete the sequence fully

    Stop after this first pass and name your free foot. If there's still room, repeat the same sequence from the position you've reached. If there's not enough space, release the hold and return together to the starting point instead of improvising a new figure backwards.

How to Use the Counting Aid Correctly

That's right

  • Take exactly one walking step on “one-two”
  • Place the quick steps on two separate beats
  • Always name the feet from your own perspective
  • Finish the sequence only after closing

Not like this

  • Take a walking step on both “one” and “two”
  • Cram both quick steps into one beat
  • Treat your partner’s left as your own left
  • Stop after the side step

Your quick run-through checklist

Before the First Step

Start

After the First Sequence

Control

At the end of the exercise

Wrap-up

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. No, the Foxtrot sequence explained here is not the Discofox basic step. It has four steps, with two slow beats and two quick beats. In Discofox, you’ll often come across a three-step sequence with a tap or another finishing action when you’re starting out. So don’t apply its counting pattern to this guide.

Ballroom dance classes for your first steps in Foxtrot

In a ballroom dance class, you can turn the footwork into a shared movement sequence with an instructor.

See all matching classes

Practice together with a clear step sequence practice

On udansa, you'll find dance partners to help you get started with Foxtrot, so you can take your time repeating the basic sequence together. Describe your level and the dance role you'd like to practice.

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Practice together with a clear step sequence practice

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