Beautiful ballroom Dancing

Commence in Closed Position, facing DW.

• Step 1 (Slow 1-2): Left Foot Forward (Facing Diagonal Wall)
  Begin facing Diagonal Wall (DW) with a strong, purposeful forward step onto your Left Foot (LF), heel leading. Employ strong Contra Body Movement (CBM) – this means your right shoulder and hip move slightly forward as your left leg steps, initiating the turn to the left. Maintain your frame connection, ensuring it has already started the turning intention from the preceding step (like a Feather Finish). Keep your body weight forward and centered over your moving foot; avoid leaning back. There is no rise yet; stay grounded through the heel. This step sets the turn in motion – imagine you are starting to “wind up” the rotation gently within your core, connected to your partner. Think of this step as “driving” the turn – the power and intention come from here.
• Step 2 (Slow 3-4): Right Foot Diagonally Forward (Side Leading Right) & Closing LF (Facing Diagonal Centre)
   Now comes the heart of the direction change. Still moving generally towards Diagonal Wall (DW), step diagonally forward with your Right Foot (RF). Crucially, this is not a pure side step; think of it as stepping forward but slightly across your body line, with your right side leading the way. Your toe should point towards the Line of Dance (LOD). As you complete this step onto the inside edge of your Right Foot (ball then potentially heel, though often just ball for smoothness), you will close your Left Foot (LF) slightly forward towards your Right Foot without taking weight onto it – just place the inside edge of the toe near your right foot. This combined action happens over the entire second slow count. Push strongly off your standing (Left) Foot to power this movement. You will turn approximately 1/8 to 1/4 left between steps 1 and 2. Your body sway naturally transfers from right (from the CBM on step 1) to left. Allow a very subtle rise onto the ball of your Right Foot as you complete the step and close the left. Imagine smoothly pivoting a suitcase on a polished floor – your body turns as a unit over your supporting foot, maintaining its center without tilting excessively – bringing your left foot along for the ride without stopping.
• Step 3 (Slow 5-6): Left Foot Forward in CBMP (Facing Diagonal Centre)
  Step forward again onto your Left Foot (LF), now firmly facing Diagonal Centre (DC). Step forward in CBMP (Contra Body Movement Position), meaning your Right Foot and leg will be slightly across your body line as you step forward with the LF (like you are stepping slightly across a tightrope). Use a heel lead. This step settles you after the turn. Lower smoothly through the foot, releasing any slight rise achieved during the turn and settling your weight fully. The Sway naturally straightens. Maintain your frame and connection, now shaping slightly to your right in preparation for the next step (like a Feather or Three Step). Keep the movement flowing forward towards DC; avoid hesitating or “sitting” on this step. This step feels like a confident, grounded walk, continuing the flow seamlessly. Picture stepping out onto a new path with quiet assurance – maintain momentum and length without rushing.

Commence in Closed Position, backing DW.

• Slow (Count 1: Right Foot Back): Commence backing Diagonal Wall (DW), stepping back onto your Right Foot (RF) directly down the line, backing Diagonal Wall (DW). Use your heel first, then lower smoothly through the foot to the toe. Employ Contra Body Movement (CBM) in response to the leader’s initiation – as you step back with your right leg, feel your left shoulder and hip move slightly back, starting the turn to the left. Turn your head pleasantly to the left, following the line of your left elbow, maintaining a lovely profile. There is no rise; stay grounded. Keep your frame strong and connected, allowing the leader to guide the turn without anticipating. Collect your Left Foot near your Right as you prepare. Feel like you are drawing a line backwards with your heel, connected to your partner’s forward energy, setting the foundation for the turn.
• Slow (Count 2: Left Foot Diagonally Back & Close Right Foot): Continue backing generally towards Diagonal Wall (DW), step diagonally back with your Left Foot (LF), leading with your left side. Your toe should point backing Line of Dance (LOD). Step onto the inside edge of the ball/heal of your Left Foot. As you complete this step, close your Right Foot (RF) slightly back towards your Left Foot without taking weight onto it – just place the inside edge of the toe near your left foot. This combined action happens over the entire second slow count. Pull your weight smoothly and with balance onto your Left Foot. You will turn approximately 1/4 left over steps 1 and 2 combined. Your body sway naturally transfers from left (from the CBM on step 1) to right. Allow a very subtle rise onto the ball of your Left Foot as you settle and close the right. Crucially, keep your upper body aligned with your partner; do not collapse inward or drift into his space. Allow your left hip to rotate fully with the turn before continuing. Think of backing around a gentle curve, keeping your spine tall and your connection central, like a flower turning smoothly towards the sun.
• Slow (Count 3: Right Foot Back in CBMP): You should now be backing Diagonal Center (DC). Step back again onto your Right Foot (RF), directly down this new line backing Diagonal Center (DC). This step is taken in Contra Body Movement Position (CBMP), meaning your left foot will be slightly across the line of your right foot as you step back. Place the toe first, then lower smoothly to the heel. There is no additional turn on this step. Lower fully and regain a balanced, neutral posture. Your sway returns to the left side (slight natural sway opposite the moving leg). Maintain a beautiful topline; your head position might stay left or gently release center depending on the next figure. Keep your frame responsive and your steps flowing backwards without hesitation. Feel this as a poised, controlled step back onto a new track, fully balanced and ready to receive the next lead, like settling gracefully onto a new path.

Core points

• Direction & Line: Both partners move along the initial line of travel (DW) during the first two steps. The turn happens within this progression, not by stepping sideways off the line. The final step establishes the new direction (DC).
• The Pivot Point: The turn happens primarily over the second step (the leader’s RF forward/side leading, follower’s LF back/side leading). This step defines the amount and quality of the turn. Push strongly off the first step’s foot.
• Footwork Precision: For forward steps, lead with the heel, and for back step lead with the toe. Pay attention to the inside edge of the foot on the pivotal second step and the controlled closure without weight.
• Elegance Through Control: For followers, control hip rotation and maintain core stability. For leaders, guide clearly and maintain your own balance. Both partners focus on long lines, good posture, and moving as one unit.

Advanced Principles

• Timing is Everything: Maintain the slow, slow, slow (SSS) rhythm throughout the entire figure. Rushing the turn, or pausing during this compound middle step, are the most common faults. Think “sustained flow“.
• Connection is King: Maintain a firm, well-balanced yet flexible frame, with long lines and good posture throughout – “cruisy but connected“. The leader should guide clearly, and the follower should respond without anticipation. Trust the connection, especially during the pivot.
• Rise & Fall / Sway: Keep it subtle! A slight lowering on step 1, a very gentle rise during the turn on step 2 (mostly from body stretch, not bent knees), and settling on step 3.
• Elegance Through Control:  Let the movement breathe – it’s a gently curving “drive, turn, walk” motion.

See also general technical notes on Foxtrot technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.

Commenced facing DW (as described above)

Commenced facing LOD
(turning 1/8 to L less during the Change of Direction)

Ended Facing DC (as described above)

Ended Facing new LOD

Ended Facing DW of new LOD (at a corner)

These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Change of Direction being performed from different angles, perspectives and speeds. However, they generally have little or no commentary or explanation.

For videos that also include commentary and tips that are aimed at assisting you perform the figure properly, see the next section “Tutorials”.