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1a. Forward Basic
Fact Sheet
Official Name:Forward Basic
Dance / Level:Beginning Bronze American Style Foxtrot
Aliases:Foxtrot Basic
Suggested
Prerequisites:
None

The forward basic step is a combination of two walks followed by a chasse, to the count of "Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick". It is a progressive movement which can be repeated in order to travel around the line of dance.

Man's Part: Lady's Part

As shown, the Foxtrot Basic step is danced straight along line of dance and without turn. One might also choose dance this figure towards diagonal center or diagonal wall, as long as it doesn't impede the flow of traffic.

The Foxtrot Basic may also be curved to the right or to the left in order to maneuver through traffic, or to prepare for another figure. This topic is addressed in more detail in the Progressive Quarter Turns.

Footwork: Forward and Backward Walks

One item of interest in learning the basic Foxtrot movements is the usage of the feet: When walking forward on steps 1-2, a natural rolling action of the feet is used, such that the foot arrives in position first with the heel in contact with the floor, and then rolling on to a flat foot as the weight arrives. Conversely on backward steps, the foot arrives with the toe in contact with the floor, and then rolls to the whole foot as the body weight moves over it. Note also on all backward walks that the front foot rolls as the body moves away, with the toe releasing first from the floor.

Footwork: Chasses

When taking a chasse on the last two steps, a very subtle type of rise and fall can be used. This type of rise & fall, along with the accompanying footwork, is unique to bronze level and social Foxtrot.

The rise & fall is described in the charts as (3) Up, and (4) Lower. This is unique in that the lowering action occurs throughout the entire closing step, rather than waiting until the end of the closing step as one might do in Waltz, or even Foxtrot at the silver level. This makes the description of footwork somewhat difficult in the traditional manner, and as a result, every American style syllabus has its own unique way of addressing this problem. We describe it as (3) Toe, and (4) Toe-heel, but it should be understood that in practice, the heels finish lowering more or less simultaneously, as the body arrives over the closing step.

 

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