About the Foxtrot
The Foxtrot takes its name from Harry Fox, a vaudeville performer in New York around 1914. English teachers smoothed it out in the 1920s into the Slow Foxtrot danced in International Standard today: a continuous, gliding dance where the couple seems to float around the room.
Many dancers call it the hardest Standard dance to do well, because the smooth, unbroken movement hides a lot of footwork. That is also what makes it so satisfying. The basic rhythm is slow, quick, quick, and the signature figures are the Feather and the Three Step.
Watch the figures
Short demonstrations of Foxtrot figures by Jim and Michele.
Feather
Three Step
Natural Turn
Open Reverse Turn
Three Fallaways
Hover Telemark
Telemark to Semi
Whiplash
Oversway
The Foxtrot syllabus
These are the figures of the International-style Foxtrot in the ISTD syllabus, grouped by level. Each level adds new figures to the ones before it, and most dancers start with the first.
Bronze
- Feather Step
- Three Step
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn (incorporating Feather Finish)
- Closed Impetus and Feather Finish
- Natural Weave
- Change of Direction
- Basic Weave
Silver
- Closed Telemark
- Open Telemark and Feather Ending
- Top Spin
- Hover Feather
- Hover Telemark
- Natural Telemark
- Hover Cross
- Open Telemark, Natural Turn, Outside Swivel, Feather Ending
- Open Impetus
- Weave from PP
- Reverse Wave
Gold
- Natural Twist Turn
- Curved Feather to Back Feather
- Natural Zig-Zag from PP
- Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot
- Natural Hover Telemark
- Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending
Figures follow the ISTD Syllabus Outlines for Modern Ballroom and Latin American (September 2024), checked October 2026. Bronze covers the Student Teacher and Associate figures, Silver the Licentiate figures, and Gold the Fellowship figures.
Learning Foxtrot with us
Foxtrot comes up in our monthly rotation for both classes. Beginners start with the Feather and Three Step, then add turns. Intermediate and advanced dancers work on heel turns, sway and the flow that makes Foxtrot look effortless. See all the dance styles.
Dance with us on Sundays
Friendly group classes in north Vancouver, an easy drive from Salmon Creek and Ridgefield.
- Start here: Beginning / Beyond Beginning, Sundays 4–5 PM
- Keep growing: Intermediate / Advanced, Sundays 5–6 PM
$15 per person, per class. Ages 12+. Bring a partner or come on your own.
Dance Fusion/Northwest Classical Ballet, 14511 NE 10th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98685