Box Step

Box Step is a basic dance step named after the pattern it creates on the floor, which is that of a square or box. It is used in a number of American Style ballroom dances: Rumba, Waltz, bronze-level Foxtrot. While it can performed individually, it is usually done with a partner. This is the most common dance step in the Waltz. In International Standard a there is a similar step called Closed Change.

A typical example, the leader begins with the left foot and proceeds as follows.

First half-box: Forward-side-together

Second half-box: Backwards-side-together

Every step is with full weight transfer. During the second and fourth step it is advised for the foot to travel along two sides of the box, rather than along its diagonal.

Rhythm varies. E.g., it is "1-2-3,4-5-6" in Waltz and "Sqq, Sqq" in Rumba.

In other dances (and in variations) the box may start from any foot, either back or forward, even sidewise. For example in the Quadrado figure of Samba de Gafieira the leader steps (starting with the left foot) "left-together-back, right-together-forward".