The Waltz Dance Steps

The waltz dance steps are smooth and the dancers travel around the dance line. It is distinguished by the rise and fall movement. The motion of the shoulders is smooth and they remain parallel to the floor and not in an up-down motion. The head is required to follow the direction of a turn while the head of the man remains in an upright position peering over the lady’s right shoulder.

Rising and Falling of Waltz Dance Steps
The rising and falling motion is exclusive to this dance. All the steps of the Waltz should possibly be long. When doing the initial step forward, the weight on the heel is reduced, thereafter the weight goes to the front part of the foot. A steady rise until the toes is begun when the first beat ends then continued until the 2nd and 3rd beat of every music bar. When the third beat ends the dancers should lower to a normal position until the heel carries all the weight.

The essential step for this dance involves box stepping. This refers to the outline that is created on the ground (square of box) which makes up the basics of the dance.

Box steps may be divided in two segments, one forward partial box and one backward partial box. Each of the partial boxes has triple steps. One in front or backward, one side step and one step bringing joining the feet back together.

The person leading begins with the foot on the left, executing one partial box in front and thereafter a partial box. The person following does the opposite of this – she begins with the foot on the right, executing one backward partial box and subsequently one forward partial box.

The main box step movement is done in three counts – drag, fast, fast that is repeated two times, thus creating a box step.

When doing the waltz, one person has to lead while the other one follows. It is customary for the man to lead while the lady follows.

Fundamental Waltz Steps

Waltz Steps for Men

• One step in front with the foot on the left
• Right side step with the right foot
• Bring the foot on the left to the foot on the right hand side
• Take a step back using the foot on the right hand side
• Take a back sideways step using the foot on the left hand side.
• Bring the foot on the right to the one on the left hand side

Waltz Steps for ladies

• Step back using the foot on the right hand side
• Make a Left side step on the left hand side
• Bring the foot on the right to the one on the left hand side
• Take a forward step using the foot on the left hand side
• Take a forward sidestep with the foot on the right hand side
• Bring the foot on the left hand side to the one on the right hand side

Women’s Waltz Box Step
Once the simple box step has been mastered it is the right time to begin rotating the box. This is usually done to the left hand side (counter clockwise) therefore it is known as a left box turn.

It is fairly easy and with every partial box, make a quarter turn on the left. Once two boxes (or four halves) have been done, the turn is completed and the dancers end up at the starting point. The same waltz dance steps are then repeated from the beginning once again.