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Partner technique5 minutes

Coordinate right turns and step patterns in Foxtrot

By Bernhard De LucaUpdated

In brief
  • You turn Foxtrot to the right by dancing the familiar basic sequence with small turning movements.
  • The slow, slow, quick, quick sequence stays the same, even in the simple right turn.
  • On the outside path, you need a little more space, while on the inside path you take correspondingly smaller steps.
  • Your direction changes as you step, not by twisting on planted feet.

A turn can feel more restrictive than taking the same steps straight ahead. Once your paths are allowed to differ in length, changing direction no longer feels forced: you don't have to pull each other around a point.

What you need for the exercise

  • The familiar basic sequence in forward and backward directions
  • A comfortable closed dance hold
  • A level, dry floor with clear space around you
  • Shoes with soles that glide smoothly without sticking
  • Music with a clearly audible, steady 4/4 beat

A right turn takes two different paths

This exercise uses the simple social basic sequence you already know. It is not a set competition figure and does not require a specific turn angle. If you cannot yet recall the starting sequence with confidence, the introduction to dancing Foxtrot together gives you the foundation. Here, you only change the direction of the familiar steps.

Imagine your path as a broad, shallow arc. When changing direction, the person dancing forward usually travels the longer outside path, while the person dancing backward takes the shorter inside path. When you change the direction of movement, these roles also switch in this exercise. Moving at the same time does not mean traveling the same distance. A small backward step can be timed to match a longer forward step exactly.

Right means a clockwise turn, when viewed from above. To start, a barely visible change of direction with each basic sequence is enough. Your chests stay oriented toward each other; neither person walks independently around the other. Sideways still means sideways relative to your own body alignment, not to a fixed wall in the room. The overview of Foxtrot, Slowfox and Quickstep explains how they differ from other dances: This exercise does not replace any of their set turning figures.

A slow musical tempo gives you time to notice the different path lengths before you try larger arcs.
A slow musical tempo gives you time to notice the different path lengths before you try larger arcs.

Practice the Right Turn in Small Arcs

  1. Set the starting position and roles

    Start in closed position: the leader has their weight on the right foot, the follower on the left. For this exercise, the leader starts by stepping forward; both have the other foot free and keep their arms relaxed, without tension.

  2. Take the First Slow Step

    As the leader, step forward with your left foot; as the follower, step back with your right, initially almost straight. Count two beats for this slow step and keep your knees relaxed; at the end, you should both be over your new supporting leg.

  3. Redirect to the right on the second step

    As the leader, step forward with your right foot along a shallow rightward curve; as the follower, step back with your left foot, making it slightly shorter. Again, use two beats and rotate only a little, so your upper bodies remain comfortably aligned toward each other.

  4. Step Sideways and Close

    The leader steps left sideways, the follower right sideways, each relative to the new body direction. The leader closes with the right foot and the follower with the left, transferring weight, one beat each. Don’t intentionally increase the rotation, so you stay together without crossing.

  5. Continue backward with a small arc

    As the lead, step back on your left foot, then your right; as the follow, step forward on your right, then your left, each slowly. Continue the rightward curve only slightly: the lead now stays on the shorter inside path, while the follow covers a little more distance on the outside.

  6. Complete the second side-close

    As the leader, step left to the side and close with your right; as the follower, step right to the side and close with your left, both quickly. Your feet are then together, and your new facing direction comes from the arc, not from turning your shoulders afterward.

  7. Practice controlled repetitions to music

    Repeat the two basic sequences to the music without trying to force a target angle. If a step becomes hurried or your posture starts to fall apart, reduce the amount of rotation on the next pass; the attempt is successful if the beats remain even despite the change of direction.

This is how your paths stay together

This way

  • Align the side step with the new body direction
  • Consciously cover less distance on the inside path
  • Reduce the amount of rotation in a tight space
  • Change direction with the step

Don't do it this way

  • Stubbornly take the side step toward the original wall
  • Force the same step length on the inside as on the outside
  • Turn faster when space is tight
  • Twist your knees and upper body while keeping your feet planted

Your quick practice check

Before the First Run-Through

Start

After the practice run without music

Control

After the repetition with music

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. No, you don't need to turn a set angle for this beginner exercise. A small arc helps you feel the different paths better than forcing a quarter turn. Increase the change of direction only when you can keep your steps slow and avoid drifting sideways out of your posture during the side-close step.

Standard classes for your Foxtrot turn

You practice the right turn as a couple and get feedback on your step paths of different lengths.

See all matching classes

Practice small arcs together

On udansa, you'll find dance partners you can practice redirecting the familiar Foxtrot basic sequence to the right with. Be specific about your practice goal: small turns instead of large figures.

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Practice small arcs together

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