Four Step

Tango Four Step

The Four Step is a Silver level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; steps diagram; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Four step can be commenced in different alignments:

1. Start with Man facing wall, as shown in chart below.
2. Start with Man facing DW, different endings:
  - Man makes no turn on between 1-2 to end facing DW, or
  - Man makes 1/8 to L to end facing LOD to follow with Promenade figure moving DC, or,
  - Man makes 1/4 to L to end facing DC DC to move to center.
3. Start with man facing DW near a corner, different endings:
  - Man turns 1/4 to L between 1-2 to end facing DW of new LOD to follow with a Promenade figure along new LOD, or
  - Man turns 1/8 to L between 1-2 to face wall to follow with a Promenade figure moving DW of new LOD.

Leader

Q: LF fwd in CBMP | To Wall | H | 1/8 to L between 1-2 | CBM
- Compress through right shoulder, hip and foot, use small range of motion (not much turn). Do not over turn upper body.
Q: RF to side and slightly back | Backing DC against LOD | BH
Q: LF back in CBMP | Backing DC against LOD | BH
- Compress right side, pull back right hip to allow lady to step outside partner. Do not rotate too much.
Q: RF closes to LF slightly back in PP | Facing DW | BH
- For sharper action to turn lady, change weight and then turn lady to PP, elbow points is rotating to right just a bit, but do not rotate lady behind, do still keep lady in front. Separate weight change and turning Lady for a sharper, staccato effect.
- In leading, when the man's right foot comes together with the left foot, this blocks the lady's left foot from moving, so this forces her to change weight. If the man left his right foot forward, the lady could swivel, and continue to step forward with the left foot.

Follower

Q: RF back in CBMP | Backing wall | BH | 1/8 between 1-2 | CBM
- The figure does not start with RF moving, it starts with allowing left hip to release and rotate to left before moving right foot. It's always the standing hip that releases to create the movement. Right thigh actually relaxed down, starting first CBMP position. Do not just step RF straight back. Place RF underneath the body.
- There could be some swivel on RF here, depending on how much Man is turning.
Q: LF to side and slightly fwd | Pointing DC against LOD | whole foot
- It's a quiet step, not a heel lead step, do not be too powerful here.
Q: RF in CBMP, OP | DC against LOD | HB (foot flat) | 1/4 to R between 3-4 | CBM
- This is bigger step, RF steps as far as center of body is traveling. (If step is too small, Lady may get in front of Man.)
- At end of this step, simply swivel the RF, leave LF behind a bit. and then place the LF underneath the body.
- Leaving the frame to Man and allow hip to rotate. All the turn to happen only at the waist area only, do not involve shoulder.
- Styling options: Sharper or Smoother.
  - For sharper action, allow weight transfer first and then turn more sharply.
  - Smoother option: as RF swivels smoothly, head turns at the same time.
- Difference between Four Step and Five Step lead:
  - In Four Step here, Lady will feel a strong rotation lead on this step.
  - In Five Step, no rotation on this step, Lady feels next step would be keep going forward with LF.
Q: LF closes to RF slightly back in PP | Facing DC | BH
- Ending in PP position, feet parallel (ok to have small gap to allow transferring weight onto LF). Stay behind Man.

Preceding Figures

Following Figures

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