Box Step is a basic

Basic (dance move)

The basic step, basic movement, basic pattern, or simply basic is the dance move that defines the character of a particular dance. It sets the rhythm of the dance; it is the default move to which a dancer returns, when not performing any other moves...

 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 American Style ballroom dance

Ballroom dance

Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....

s: Rumba

Rumba (dance)

Rumba is a dance term with two quite different meanings.In some contexts, "rumba" is used as shorthand for Afro-Cuban rumba, a group of dances related to the rumba genre of Afro-Cuban music. The most common Afro-Cuban rumba is the guaguancó...

, Waltz

Waltz

The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...

, bronze-level Foxtrot

Foxtrot (Dance)

The foxtrot is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band music, and the feeling is one of elegance and sophistication...

. While it can performed individually, it is usually done with a partner. This is the most common dance step in the Waltz. In International Standard a there is a similar step called Closed Change.

A typical example, the leader begins with the left foot and proceeds as follows.

First half-box: Forward-side-together

Second half-box: Backwards-side-together

Every step is with full weight transfer. During the second and fourth step it is advised for the foot to travel along two sides of the box, rather than along its diagonal.

Rhythm varies. E.g., it is "1-2-3,4-5-6" in Waltz and "Sqq, Sqq" in Rumba.

In other dances (and in variations) the box may start from any foot, either back or forward, even sidewise. For example in the Quadrado figure of Samba de Gafieira

Samba de Gafieira

Samba de Gafieira is a partner dance to the Brazilian samba musical rhythms.Samba de Gafieira must be distinguished from the ballroom Samba, danced in International Latin and American Rhythm ballroom dance styles....

 the leader steps (starting with the left foot) "left-together-back, right-together-forward".

Box Step in Waltz

To do the Box Step for the Waltz, partners should start in the closed position

Closed position

In partner dancing, closed position is a category of positions in which partners hold each other while facing at least approximately toward each other....

. Usually the man will lead and the woman will follow.

• 1st step: The leader will move one step forward with the left foot and close the feet by sliding the right foot up to meet the left, but not transferring the weight on the right foot.
• 2nd step: Right foot step sideways to the right.
• 3rd step: Left foot step to close the feet.
• 4-6 steps are similar: The leader moves one step backwards with the right foot and closes the left foot without weight. To complete the square, the lead will then move two steps to the left: left foot sideways and right foot to close.

The pair should end up where they began, and can start all over again. Emphasis should be made on sliding the foot rather than making a forced, heavy step.