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Foxtrot
How Does One Dance Foxtrot?
People can learn to dance this rhythm at a level which matches their experience and goals:
• Beginners can start with Social Foxtrot lessons available with step-by-step directions and videos at Walk In, Dance Out on this website. Each pattern has even-numbered steps (four changes of weight) which limits the rhythm complexity. Other levels of Foxtrot include figures with an odd number of weight changes, so the rhythm is more complex. The other rhythm lessons on this site (Single Swing, Waltz, Rumba, and Cha Cha) provide basic rhythms and figures which are very helpful to prime folks with dance experience so they can excel in round dance classes.
• Round dancing provides opportunities to learn a tremendous variety of figures and sequences to expand knowledge in a fun, non-competitive setting with abundant opportunities for practice (“floor time” is essential). There are classes for beginners, even non-dancers (Foxtrot begins at Phase 3), and for those wishing to expand their knowledge of Foxtrot (Phases 4-6). Find an instructor near you (make selections at top of spreadsheet). If one isn’t available, gather some friends and persuade a round dancer/instructor to teach you. Attending the ICBDA annual convention also provides an excellent opportunity to increase dance knowledge!
• Ballroom coaches offer group classes and personalized instruction to improve dancing technique and to prepare those desiring to compete.
Resources Available on This Website:
| Foxtrot Figures and Sources for How to Dance Them | |
| • A chart of Roundalab standard figures, grouped by phases to: • Monitor learning progress in this rhythm. • Judge whether or not an unfamiliar cued routine might be personally danceable. • Sources for written and video information (including footprints) available online. • List of Clinic Notes from ICBDA Conventions and how to access them. (Revised 5-15-2025) |
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| The Character of Foxtrot - coming soon | |
| • Timing patterns and the basic components. • Other characteristics which comprise the character of Foxtrot. • Origins and history with video comparison demonstrating Foxtrot evolution. • Comparisons of International and American Styles. |
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| A Teaching Cuesheet – to be developed | |
| • Provides step-by-step instruction plus possible cues to use in round dance settings. • Describes techniques aligned with the character of Foxtrot. • Includes sequences which can be used in a social dance situation. |
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| Supplemental Notes - to be developed | |
| • Amplifies descriptions of the figures and components used in the teaching cuesheet including movement between weight changes. • Explains leading techniques. |
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| Modern Ballroom / Smooth Figures Chart | |
| • Lists basic figures used in multiple Modern Ballroom / Smooth categories. • Presents similar figures and synonymous ballroom names for figures. • Focuses attention on the similarities of figures to maximize learning them. |
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Other Round Dance Resources
• Phase 3 Foxtrot figures are DEFINED and DIAGRAMMED in
Fancy Figures: Phase III Moderns, pp. 13-71. Members of ICBDA can download this book FREE (on right-hand menu on member home page find "How to Dance" and select "Beginning Manuals." Improved descriptions for the figures and rhythm are defined on this website (see Teaching Cue Sheet and Supplemental Notes).
• A video catalog is a data base with links to many Foxtrot routines being danced (select “Foxtrot” at the bottom of the spreadsheet). Then select a dance title to see the video (the green 3 indicates the easiest dances) and the corresponding cuesheet is available by selecting “CS” on the same line. Scroll through the entire list to find dances at phase 4, 5, and even 6. These are just a few of the many Foxtrot dances in the round dance repertoire.
• An Index of Rounds provides ready access to cue sheets for hundreds of Foxtrot routines. In the “Rhythm” window type “Foxtrot” and the list appears. Select a specific cue sheet to print out. The latest dances submitted are listed at the top of the list. One can limit the search (for example select “3” in the Phase column or choose a favorite choreographer). As soon as a selection has been made, the appropriate results appear.
• Clinic Notes from ICBDA Conventions featuring Foxtrot and Modern Ballroom / Smooth.
• Cue Sheet Writing Guidelines, from Roundalab, provides information about how to read cue sheets.
• Roundalab also has a list of Abbreviations which are used in cuesheets.
• Sears' Website ( > Round Dance Manual and > Articles) and Worlocks' Website have information about how to dance this rhythm.