Skip to main content
Turning Technique6 minutes

Practice the Foxtrot Left Turn with Small Steps

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In short
  • You develop the social Foxtrot left turn from two slow walking steps and a quick side-close pair.
  • You distribute a small amount of rotation to the left across the steps, without turning on planted feet.
  • The person moving forward takes the longer outside path, while the person moving backward takes the shorter inside path.
  • You first practise each half separately, then both halves with the rhythm unchanged.

A turn can quickly get hectic when both of you try to cover the same distance. Even a small difference in step length can determine whether you stay together as a couple or push each other out of the way.

What you need for the exercise

  • The familiar basic sequence in both directions of movement
  • Two people with agreed leading and following roles
  • Shoes with soles that glide and a secure fit
  • A clear, level space with no other couples in your step path
  • An audible, steady pulse or counting aloud

A small curve instead of a turn on the spot

This exercise is a simple social variation, not a set competition figure from Slowfox or Quickstep. The starting point is the Foxtrot basic step for both roles: two slow walking steps, then step to the side and close. The foot sequence stays the same while your shared orientation shifts slightly to the left.

Here, left means counterclockwise, viewed from above the couple. You don’t both turn independently to your own personal left. Your bodies stay facing each other and move around the same imaginary center. The person moving forward circles the person moving backward along a slightly longer path. The person moving backward makes room and shortens their steps. In the second half, these tasks switch, but your dance roles don’t automatically change.

Start with much less than a quarter turn per half. This is a practice guideline, not a prescribed final position. A larger turn requires more coordination and can tempt you to cross your feet or pull on the arm. The rhythm stays slow, slow, quick, quick: each slow step lasts two beats, each quick step one. For the later music practice, Foxtrot songs with a steady pulse are a good choice.

A sole that allows you to move freely makes changing direction easier, but it doesn't replace flexible knees and controlled weight transfer.
A sole that allows you to move freely makes changing direction easier, but it doesn't replace flexible knees and controlled weight transfer.

Breaking Down the Left Turn in Seven Steps

  1. Set up the starting position

    Take your usual partner hold: The leading person stands on their right foot, the following person on their left. This leaves the left or right foot free for the first step; keep your usual distance between your upper bodies.

  2. Dance the first half in a straight line

    Leader: left forward, right forward, left to the side, close right. Follower: right backward, left backward, right to the side, close left. Count slow, slow, quick, quick; when closing, transfer your weight onto the arriving foot so you can start the next step.

  3. Curve the walking steps to the left

    Repeat this half and let your shared direction shift slightly to the left starting with the first walking step. Take the second step in the new direction; don't turn afterward on a planted foot, but move your feet and body together.

  4. Keep the inner path shorter

    The follower walking backward shortens their steps, while the leader takes a slightly longer outer arc. Finish the half with a small side-close step pair in the new alignment. It works when neither person has to pull, cross their feet, or take a compensating step.

  5. Practice the second half separately

    Start again with the leader on the right foot and the follower on the left. Leader: left foot back, right foot back, left foot to the side, close with the right; follower mirrors this with right foot forward, left foot forward, right foot to the side, close with the left. First practice in a straight line so you can confidently recall the reverse direction.

  6. Swap the path lengths in the second half

    Give this half a small shared arc counterclockwise too. Now the leader moving backward shortens their inner path, while the follower walks forward around the outside. Both close in place without an additional turn, continuing with the same counting pattern.

  7. Repeat both halves to the music

    Dance the first half and then the second half right away to music. Don't add a pause or a tap at the transition; if you can do the sequence several times without pulling or making foot contact, gradually increase the amount of rotation without speeding up.

This is how your paths stay compatible

This way, yes

  • Keep your gaze aligned with your shared body direction
  • Open out to the side only as far as you can stay together as a couple
  • In tight spaces, reduce the amount of rotation before you start
  • If you collide, stop and reposition

Not like this

  • Let your head rush ahead while holding your body back
  • Pull the connection apart with a wide side step
  • Force a planned big turn despite the tight space
  • Hastily add extra steps after a collision

Check off after each practice round

Before the First Attempt

Start

After each individual half

Review

After the music run-through

Result

Frequently asked questions

  1. For this introductory exercise, the sequence does not have to make a half turn. The small arc is for getting to know different step paths without having to force a particular direction. A fixed amount of turning belongs to a specific, agreed figure variation. Make your arc wider only once both halves work without any steps to avoid each other.

Practice Foxtrot in Standard Courses

In the standard course, you can learn to coordinate your small turns with each other, with guidance.

View all matching courses

Practice small curves together

On udansa, you can find dance partners to practice the Foxtrot left turn in both roles. A practice session together gives you time to coordinate your step patterns without the crowds.

Join for free
Practice small curves together

You might also like

Read more