Backward Basic . . . . . . . . .
Done with the same style as the forward basic, this step is handy when you may need to back out of a situation on the dance floor. More advanced Fox Trot will be done with the backward step actually taking you around the room. You should practice the forward step followed by the backward step then forward again...etc.. The Woman will come forward at the man, she will lead off of her right foot as usual and take *heel leads as if she were strolling down the street.

Forward Basic (x2) . . . . . . . . . This animation simply shows how the basic Fox Trot can continue around the room. Clearly if you only traveled forward, you would eventually face a wall. What you will want to do is not only learn steps that turn, but also learn to gently turn this basic step. As you dance it forward, barely steer yourself by guiding your shoulders the direction you wish to go. Similar to a car with small turning ratio, plan ahead and make the turn slowly.

Left Turn . . . . . . . . .
This animation is a left turn. Not only will it come in handy when your in a tight spot, but a variety of steps will make your dancing much more exciting..for you and your partner....(Good God, I'm sounding like a typical instructor)

Notice this step includes the same number of steps as the basic. The only difference is the directions in which you take the steps.

—One forward left foot
—One in place right foot
—One to the side left foot (which will turn you 1/4 to the left)
—One to bring your feet back together right foot (in your new position)

Box Step... Just like the Waltz and Rhumba, the Fox Trot has a pattern called 'box' (because of the shape it makes), however the timing is not the same as the Waltz and the style is not the same as the Rhumba. In the Fox Trot this step has the timing of "Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow, Quick, Quick". Learning to switch from the basic time of "S,S,Q,Q" to "S,Q,Q,S" and back to "S,S,Q,Q" is a little tough at first but certainly practice it.

Right Turn...
This is certainly one of the more awkward of the basic steps, however it is a good introduction to the basics of "pivoting"(the ability to twirl with your partner). Once you get the feel of rotating your shoulders with the back step it will start to feel more fluid. Keep in mind, the woman is used to going backward, but this first step takes her forward. The woman needs to make sure to take that forward step with the *heel of her foot. There may be some stepping on each other at first but work with it. For a real challenge, try the left turn directly into the right, even experienced dancers find that combination a challenge.

Promenade... The promenade is certainly handy when making a sharp 90 degree turn to avoid danger. It also is nice to break any repetition that may come to someone who is just learning and only seems to be going forward and back. Start in a closed position facing each other, take the first step out to the left(man) and right(woman). Make that first step comfortable and a *heel lead, try not to over or under step it, just make it natural. Then, pull your right(man) and left(woman) foot through (the man's thigh/knee should barely brush through with the woman's). You'll feel as though you should turn your shoulders out as you see them do in any tango movie, but only let your hips turn out, not your shoulders. Finally, you'll take the side step and the final closing step to be facing each other again.