Beat 1    Lead steps forward. Follow steps back (Lead decides to do a turn)

Beat 2    Both Lead and Follow shift weight to opposite foot.

Beat 3    Lead steps back and Follow steps forward. Both return to center and arms prepare to turn.

Beat 5    Lead steps back and lifts up with left arm. Follow steps forward

Beat 6    Lead shifts weight to opposite foot. Follow spins clockwise.

Beat 7    Follow finishes spin. Lead returns to center. Both are balanced for basic step.

Tip

Once you are both confident with the right turn, Follow should try doing steps 5, 6, and 7 as one continuous motion.  Push off with your left foot on 5 and glide around clockwise until back in the center for 7.  This looks better and is necessary for faster songs.

Video of a Right Turn with a spin

Video of Right Turn footwork with a spin

Try a basic step, then a right turn, then a basic step with your partner.

Video of Basic Turn in Open Position

Video of Basic Turn in Closed Position

The more moves you know, the more interesting your song will be. Lead is responsible for connecting one move to another. Follow is responsible for reading the cues and doing the moves Lead indicates. A new move will always start on Beat 1. Follow will always spin on Beat 5 of the right turn.

Our next guide will teach you the cross-body lead. Once you can do all three, you’ll look like this as you dance a whole song.

When you’re feeling confident, get out there and practice what you’ve learned!