Learn how to beautifully dance
the Three Step
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Three Step in the Slow Foxtrot.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, movement, turn, sway, rise & fall and hold — for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower, as per “The Ballroom Technique” publication.
It also contains notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources, as well as a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Three Step!
The Three Step is usually a bronze level Foxtrot figure. For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Foxtrot.
Three Step (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF fwd | H T | Facing DW | DW | Closed | ||||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF fwd, R side leading | H T | Facing DW | DW | body turns to L | L | rise e/o 2. | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF fwd | T H | Facing DW | DW | L | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 2,
- may be curved up to 1/8 to end facing LOD
Three Step (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | RF back | T H | Backing DW | DW | Closed | ||||
| 2 | 3 | Q | LF back, L side leading | T H | Backing DW | DW | Body turns to L | R | Rise e/o 2. NFR | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF back | T H | Backing DW | DW | R | Up. NFR. Lower e/o 3. | Closed |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
In step 2,
- the lady may turn 1/8 to L to end backing LOD
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Foxtrot technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DW (as described above)
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (at a corner) Feather Step Reverse Turn & Feather Finish Basic Weave Natural Weave |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Feather Natural Telemark (at a corner) Top Spin Weave from Promenade |
| Gold | Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot Natural Hover Telemark (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Commenced facing LOD
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (at a corner) Feather Step |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Feather Natural Telemark (at a corner) Top Spin (at a corner) |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish Natural Telemark (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade Position |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DW (as described above, along a side)
| Bronze | Feather Step Natural Turn Natural Weave |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
Ended Facing LOD (along a side)
(having curved the Three Step 1/8 to L)
| Bronze | Feather Step Natural Turn Natural Weave |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather with Feather Finish Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
Ended Facing LOD (into a corner)
(having curved the Three Step 1/8 to L)
| Bronze | Natural Turn |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus with Feather Finish Ending Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
Ended Facing DW (into a corner)
| Bronze | Natural Turn |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather &Feather Finish Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
List of Abbreviations
| Timing | S: Slow Q: Quick |
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position i/e: inside edge |
| Footwork | T: Toe H: Heel F: Flat |
| Turn | L: Left R: Right cont: continue com: commence |
| Alignment & Moving | LOD: Line of Dance DC: Diagonal Centre DW: Diagonal Wall |
| Rise & Fall | NFR: no foot rise com: commence cont: continue e/o: end of |
| Position | OP: outside Partner PP: Promenade Position CPP: Counter Promenade Position PO: Partner outside |
| Sway | L: Left R: Right F: Forward |
For a more detailed explanation of terms and abbreviations, see the Glossary.
Demonstrations
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Three Step 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”.