About the Quickstep
The Quickstep grew up in England in the 1920s, when bands played the Foxtrot faster and dancers mixed in steps from the Charleston. It was standardised as its own dance late in the decade and is now one of the five International Standard dances.
It is the fastest of the Standard dances. Couples cover the floor with chasses, lock steps, runs and, at advanced levels, hops and skips, while keeping the closed hold of the other Standard dances. Danced well, it looks like the couple is barely touching the floor.
Watch the figures
Short demonstrations of Quickstep figures by Jim and Michele.
Progressive Chasse
Quarter Turn to Progressive Chasse
Tipple Chasse
Quick Open Reverse Turn
Fishtail
The Quickstep syllabus
These are the figures of the International-style Quickstep 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
- Quarter Turn to R
- Natural Turn
- Natural Turn with Hesitation
- Natural Pivot Turn
- Natural Spin Turn
- Progressive Chassé
- Chassé Reverse Turn
- Forward Lock
- Heel Pivot (Quarter Turn to Left) *
- Closed Impetus
- Backward Lock
- Reverse Pivot
- Progressive Chassé to R
- Tipple Chassé to R
- Running Finish
- Natural Turn and Back Lock
- Double Reverse Spin
- Zig Zag, Back Lock and Running Finish *
- Cross Chassé *
- Change of Direction *
Silver
- Quick Open Reverse
- Fishtail
- Running Right Turn
- Four Quick Run
- V6
- Closed Telemark
Gold
- Cross Swivel
- Six Quick Run
- Rumba Cross
- Tipsy to R or L
- Hover Corté
* From the ISTD's list of additional figures, which may be danced in medal tests.
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 Quickstep with us
Quickstep is part of our monthly rotation. We start from the Quarter Turn and Progressive Chasse, so you can get around the floor in your first class, then build up to the faster figures. 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