Basic Foxtrot technique includes smooth footwork, with the feet brushing as they pass. The usual rhythm is that a slow step uses two beats of music, and a quick step uses one. Foxtrot also has a "lilt" sensation, achieved by starting each movement with extra energy ("push") and then relaxing as each movement completes.
o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, back, side (right), together.
o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, back,[turns 1/2 to right] forward, [turns 1/2 to right] back.
The Progressive Pattern: (Four steps) The rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick.
o The leader begins with the left foot and steps forward, forward, side (left), together.o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, back, side (right), together.
The Progressive with Quick Underarm Turn Pattern: (Four steps) The rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick.
o The leader begins with the left foot and steps forward, forward [raising left arm], forward, forward (lowering arm).o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, back,[turns 1/2 to right] forward, [turns 1/2 to right] back.
The Box Pattern: (Six steps) The rhythm is slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
o The leader begins with the left foot and steps forward, side (right), together, back, side (left), together.
o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, side (right), together, forward, side (left), together.
o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, side(left), together, forward, side [turning 1/4 to face right], forward [beginning to circle to the right], forward, forward, forward [still circling], forward [into leader], side (right), together.
o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, forward, side (right), together.
o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, forward, side (staying squarely in front of the leader as his shoulders rotate), and together.
o The leader begins with the left foot and steps forward, side (right), together, back, side (left), together.
o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, side (right), together, forward, side (left), together.
The Box with Slow Underarm Turn Pattern: (Twelve steps) The rhythm is slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
o The leader begins with the left foot and steps forward, side(right), together, back [raising left arm], side, together, forward , side, together, back [lowering arm], side, together.o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, side(left), together, forward, side [turning 1/4 to face right], forward [beginning to circle to the right], forward, forward, forward [still circling], forward [into leader], side (right), together.
The Trouble (or Hesitation, or Balance) Step Pattern: (Four Steps) The rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick.
o The leader begins with the left foot and steps forward, back, side (left), together.o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, forward, side (right), together.
The Trouble Step with Left Turn Pattern: (Four Steps) The rhythm is slow, slow, quick, quick.
o The leader begins with the left foot and steps forward, back (beginning a turn to the left by turning head to the new direction), side (finishing the turn by rotating shoulders to the left), and together.o The follower begins with the right foot and steps back, forward, side (staying squarely in front of the leader as his shoulders rotate), and together.
