International Waltz: Basic Steps For The Leader

Step 1: Closed changes and change steps

These steps together are also referred to as the box step. To begin with, we break them down slowly.

Start facing diagonally to any wall. From here, step forward onto your right foot, then onto your left taking a quarter turn, then close your right foot in.

Now stay facing this way and step back onto your left foot, then side onto your right and close in with your left.

Finally, step back onto your right foot, then taking a quarter turn step onto the left and close in with your right.

Here the sequence a little faster:

Front right, side left and close. Back left, side right and close. Back right, side left and close.

Step 2: The whisk and chassis

Stay facing the same way and step forward onto your left foot, then side onto your right.

Here's the tricky bit, cross your left foot behind your right, then step forward onto your right foot - this is the whisk.

Now step side onto your left, close your right foot in and step side again onto your left - the chassis

Now do it little faster - pay attention to the change in tempo for the last three steps.

Front left, side right, cross left, front right. Side left, close right, side left.

Step 3: The hesitation change

Step forward onto the right foot, take a quarter turn onto the left foot and close the right foot in.

Now step back onto the left foot, take a quarter turn onto the right foot and now ready for the hesitation change - drag the left foot in.

Then move forward onto the left foot, side onto the right and close the left in.

Here are steps a little faster:

Front right, side left and close. Back left, side right, drag left. Front left, side right and close.

Step 4: Change steps to finish

These steps conclude the sequence and will bring you back to a point where you can begin the whole dance again.

Step back onto your right foot, then take a quarter turn to step onto your left, and close in with your right.

Now step forwards onto your left foot, side onto your right and close in with your left - and you're ready to start again with your right foot.

Here's the faster version:

Back right, side left and close. Front left, side right and close.

A quick tip when you start dancing with a partner - you only step straight forwards on the very first step to begin the dance, from there onwards you need to step outside of your partner. This is a crucial point to note to avoid those toe-crunching moments!

If you're interested in seeing this from your partner's point of view, watch our video on the basic steps for the follower. And don't forget to follow the complete series of films on the waltz to learn more key moves, about the do's and don'ts and how to improve your technique.