The foxtrot is the best way for someone to introduce him or herself to the world of ballroom dancing. The foxtrot is the most basic of the ballroom dances because it is, basically a "walking" dance. If you have ever heard of someone saying "slow, slow, quick quick, slow, slow quick quick..." they are talking about the foxtrot.

Here is how to dance the foxtrot steps:

Foxtrot steps are basically made up of four basic steps. Two of those steps are slow and two of those steps are quick. The slow steps are done over two counts. The quick steps only get one count.

Step one: The leading partner (usually the man and from here on out will be referred to with male pronouns) moves their left foot forward while the following partner (usually the woman and from here on out will be referred to with female pronouns) simultaneously moves their right foot back. This takes two counts.

Step two: The leading partner moves his right foot forward while the following partner moves simultaneously moves her left foot back. This step also takes two counts.

For the slow steps both the leading partner and the following partner do what is called a "follow through." A "follow through is a step which means that they each swing the foot that is free (not holding their weight) by the foot that is holding their weight. Basically this is a fancy way of saying that both partners bring their feet together.

SUMMMARY

If you are leading, over the course of two counts, move your left foot forward and bring your right foot up to meet it. Then, over the course of two counts, move your right foot forward and bring our left foot up to meet it. Pause for one count.

If you are the following partner do the following (this happens at the same time and at the same pace that the leading partner is taking his steps): Over the course of two counts move your right foot forward and then bring your right foot up to meet it. Then, over the course of two counts move your right foot forward and then bring your left foot up to meet it.

Step three: The leading partner slides his left foot forward over the course of one count while the following partner slides her right foot forward.

Step four: The leading partner slides his right foot forward over the course of one count while the following partner slides her left foot forward. Both partners then bring their feet together.

SUMMARY: These are basically the same steps that were executed in steps one and two. The main difference is that these steps do not have a "follow through." Instead, the action is more like that of walking.

If you can count out a basic four/four beat, you can do the foxtrot steps. Slow steps take two beats, quick steps take one beat.

Congratulations, you've learned to foxtrot dance!