How to Dance the Foxtrot

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You can make the fox-trot as simple or as complicated as you want to – either way, you'll be a hit at the next wedding you go to.

Step 1: Face one another
Face your partner, your right side aligned with the middle of your partner's body.

Step 2: Maintain the frame
Clasp fingers -- the man's left hand, the woman's right -- with palms together, at eye level. Rest your opposite hand on your partner’s shoulder blade.

Step 3: Take a slow first step
Step slowly forward with your left foot if you're the man -- or backwards if you're the woman -- as the music starts, sliding your opposite foot to meet the lead one.

Step 4: Advance with right foot
Advance again, the man's right foot slowly stepping as the woman strides back with her left, both again sliding the opposite foot to meet.

Tip
Try variations of the fox-trot, like the progressive, which can sometimes resemble the polka.

Step 5: Step quick
Take a wide, quick step to your left if you're the man, the woman mimicking with her right, sliding the foot to meet again. The rhythm is two beats for each "Slow, slow," and one beat for each "quick, quick."

Step 6: Reverse these steps
Reverse the steps, the man striding back as the female advances and again, the man steps to his left and the woman to her right on the quick steps.

Tip
Respect your partner and don’t throw in new moves without preparing them.

Step 7: Repeat
Repeat around the floor. Smile, even if your partner steps on your foot.

Did You Know?
The fox-trot is said to have been named for Harry Fox, a Vaudeville performer around, who sped up his two-steps to trotting to a ragtime beat.

[wingsgirl]

Definitely learned this in sixth grade cotillion.

[sickspoons]

I do the foxtrot when I'm down in the clubs.

[alesbica]

Try saying "leader/follower" instead of "man/woman". Not everyone dances with the opposite sex.