Social Foxtrot - Swaying Side Step

As the music for foxtrot is traditionally smooth and (in my opinion) tends to make you instinctively sway... this step plays into these natural tendencies.

Set within the framework of the basic step that you know (in a similar way to the Promenade), this step maintains the rhythm set out for Social Foxtrot - "Slow, Slow, Quick-Quick" but removes the diagonal element that allows for significant travelling.


Leaders'/Men's Footwork


As with the basic, begin on a diagonal with your left shoulder closest to the centre of the circle you will be travelling on. Move your Left foot forward on a Slow count. continue forward with your Right on the next Slow count.

Instead of turning 90 on the two Quick steps, merely turn enough to end up facing the nearest wall. Stepping side onto your Left foot and then closing your Right foot together with the Left for those two Quick steps.

The next step - taken with your Left foot on a Slow count - is taken directly to the side, leaving your Right foot where it was.

Transfer your weight - or Sway - back onto the Right foot for the next Slow count,
and then take a side (Left foot) together (Right foot) "Quick-Quick" with no turn at all.

Repeat the whole movement again: step side with your Left foot, Sway/replace weight onto your Right foot "Slow, Slow".
On the two Quick steps, take a slightly angled initial side step with your Left foot and close together again with your Right - ready now to pick up the basic movement on the second half where you would be moving backwards. (So you are now facing on a diagonal with your back in the general Line of Dance and your right shoulder closer to the centre of the circle.)

Use the second part of the basic movement, moving backwards on your Left foot, to complete the phrase of music and take you into your next step - whatever you choose it to be!


Follower's/Lady's Footwork


Start in hold, with your back diagonal to the Line of Dance. Take one slow step backwards on your Right foot and then a second on your Left. Instead of doing a full 90 degree turn on your two quick steps, only turn as far as you need to to face the far wall.

Then, moving straight sideways down the Line of Dance, take your next slow step with your Right foot directly to the side. Transfer your weight leaving your Left foot where it was but releasing the heel so that the foot is now pointed to the side.

Transfer your weight - or Sway - back onto the Left foot for the next Slow count,
and then take a side (Right foot) together (Left foot) "Quick-Quick" with no turn at all.

Repeat the whole movement again: step side with your Right foot,
Sway/replace weight onto your Leftt foot "Slow, Slow". On the two Quick steps, take a slightly angled initial side step with your Right foot and close together again with your Left - ready now to pick up the basic movement on the second half where you would be moving forwards.
Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:

- this step starts with the first half of a basic and finishes with the second half

- all the sways are to be done directly to a wall. NOT on diagonal.

- allow the upper body to sway with you when you take your side steps... this will make the step look and feel more relaxed and natural.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch!!