Box step

Box step is a <a href="/facts/Basic_(dance_move)/AdNDGKXy">basic</a> <a href="/facts/Dance_step/B24hjK2g">dance step</a> named after the pattern it creates on the floor, which is that of a square or box. It is used in a number of <a href="/facts/Ballroom_glossary/E7B1o5Mc">American Style</a> <a href="/facts/Ballroom_dance/TIfMocjP">ballroom dances</a>: <a href="/facts/Rhumba/rGQqavjB">rumba</a>, <a href="/facts/Waltz/A5vA3F3E">waltz</a>, bronze-level <a href="/facts/Foxtrot_(dance)/7V9EubkX">foxtrot</a>. While it can be performed individually, it is usually done with a partner. This is the most common dance step in the waltz. In <a href="/facts/Glossary_of_partner_dance_terms/E7B1o5Mc">international standard</a> dance competition, there is a similar step called <a href="/facts/Closed_change/pM5Xmmum">closed change</a>.
In a typical example, the leader begins with the left foot and proceeds as follows.

<ul><li>First half-box: forward-side-together</li>
<li>Second half-box: backwards-side-together</li></ul>
Every step is with full weight transfer.
Rhythm varies. For example, it is "1-2-3, 4-5-6" in waltz and "slow quick quick, slow quick quick" in rumba.
In other dances (and in variations) the box may start from the left or right foot, either back or forward, or even sidewise. For example, in the <a href="/facts/Samba_de_Gafieira/bxac3s5b">quadrado</a> figure of <a href="/facts/Samba_de_Gafieira/bxac3s5b">samba de Gafieira</a> the leader steps (starting with the left foot) "left-together-back, right-together-forward".

Box step open-in-new

Box step