Editing Box step

{{short description|Dance step}}
[[File:Rumba basic box step.svg|175px|thumb|right|Box step in [[Rhumba|rumba]] and left box in [[waltz]]]]

'''Box step''' is a [[Basic (dance move)|basic]] [[dance step]] named after the pattern it creates on the floor, which is that of a square or box.  It is used in a number of [[Ballroom glossary#American Style|American Style]] [[ballroom dance]]s: [[Rhumba|rumba]],<ref name="Rumba">{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=157|title=Rumba Box|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref> [[waltz]],<ref name="Waltz">{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=107|title=Left Box (Reverse) Turn|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref> bronze-level [[Foxtrot (dance)|foxtrot]].  While it can be performed individually, it is usually done with a partner.  This is the most common dance step in the waltz. In [[Glossary of partner dance terms#International Standard|international standard]] dance competition, there is a similar step called [[closed change]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=125|title=Closed Changes|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2020-06-09}}</ref>

In a typical example, the leader begins with the left foot and proceeds as follows.<ref name="Waltz" />
*First half-box: forward-side-together
*Second half-box: backwards-side-together
Every step is with full weight transfer.<ref name="Waltz" />

Rhythm varies. For example, it is "1-2-3, 4-5-6" in waltz and "slow quick quick, slow quick quick" in rumba.<ref name="Rumba" /><ref name="Waltz" />

In other dances (and in variations) the box may start from the left or right foot, either back or forward, or even sidewise. For example, in the {{lang|es|[[Samba de Gafieira#Quadrado|quadrado]]}} figure of {{lang|es|[[samba de Gafieira]]}} the leader steps (starting with the left foot) "left-together-back, right-together-forward".

== In waltz ==
For the left box, the leader starts with their feet closed. On beat 1 they step forward with their left foot, then they step to the side with their right foot on 2, closes their left to their right foot on 3; steps back with their right foot on 4, to the side with their left foot on 5, and closes their right to their left foot on 6. During the second and fifth step, the foot is supposed to travel along two sides of the box, rather than along its diagonal.<ref name="Waltz" />

The follower also starts with their feet closed. On beat 1 they step back with their right foot, then they step to the side with their left foot on 2, closes their right to their left foot on 3; steps forward with their left foot on 4, to the side with their right foot on 5, and closes their left to their right foot on 6.<ref name="Waltz" />

The right box consists of the same steps only mirrored, that is, left and right feet are exchanged for both leader and follower.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ballroomdancers.com/dances/info.asp?sid=108|title=Right Box (Natural) Turn|publisher=BallroomDancers.com|accessdate=2021-08-16}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
This dance was featured in an episode of ''[[Curious George (TV series)|Curious George]]'' called "School of Dance". George first saw the Renkins doing it, then he taught it to Bill, the Quints, the Man with the Yellow Hat, and at the end, Allie.<ref name=curiousgeorge>{{cite web|title=Curious George: Episode Descriptions and Educational Objectives|url=https://www.pbs.org/parents/curiousgeorge/program/ep_desc_s6.html|website=PBS Parents|publisher=PBS|accessdate=20 September 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Jazz box]], a similar footprint pattern, but with cross-steps

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Social dance steps]]