Basic Weave
Foxtrot Basic Weave
This is a Bronze 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.
Leader
Q: LF fwd | DC Against LOD | HT | Start to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | rise at e/o 1
Q: RF to side | Backing LOD | T | 3/8 between 1-2 | Sway(L) | Up
Q: LF back in CBMP | Backing DC | T | 1/8 between 2-3 | Sway(L) | Up
The footwork of TH may be used. This will often result in a softer and more flowing movement. Rise on 4 will then be "Up, NFR"
Q: RF back | Backing DC | T | Start to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | Up
Q: LF to side and slightly fwd | Pointing DW | T | 1/4 between 4-5 | Body turns less | Sway(R) | Up
Q: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | Facing DW | TH | -- | Sway(R) | Up, lower e/o 6
S: LF fwd | Facing DW | H | -- | Sway(S) | CBM | --
Follower
Q: RF back | Backing DC Against LOD | TH | Start to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | rise slightly end of 1, NFR
Make sure belly button/lower center is constantly toward partner.
Q: LF to side | Pointing DC | T | 1/4 L between 1-2 | Body turns less | Sway(R) | Up
If Man shapes, Lady turns her head to R
Leave head and only turn body to L, which effectively make head on the R side.
Keep head flat, knees will absorb foot rise. Do not pop up.
During Weave, knees and thighs are ahead of body. Do not take head too fast and past feet. Relax R shoulder down. Take knees across standing leg when moving forward.
Use leg to push, use butt muscle to move more, not sitting. Activate the muscle, but not like Samba tick, don't flat the hip crease. When using muscle to push and move more, it makes it easier to extend and shape upper body more too.
Q: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | Facing DC | T | -- | Sway(R) | Up
Traveling down LOD at this moment. Left shoulder is quite forward at this point.
Don't fall into the step, use L leg to push.
To create more volume, rotate hip to R, L shoulder more forward, shape diagonal forward (not down), extend head to create the shape. (Do not just bend back upper body to crate shape.)
Q: LF fwd | Facing DC | T | Start to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | Up
Extended Weave: step 3 and 4 can be repeated many "QQ"s - side leading, lady project fwd left side. Don't peel off from Man. Center to Man. When Man starts to collect, that indicates finishing, but still Lady should do Toe leads in next step. Though written as "T", instructor says do TH to drive the next step.
Do not get into Man's space. -- very common error.
Keep left connected to Man, do not slide connection, do not step to side, step straight forward (there is CBM, but don't step "cross middle line".)
L shoulder/head/spine/hip connect down to LF so you don't get pulled backward.
Q: RF to side | Backing Wall | TH | 1/8 L between 4-5 | Sway(L) | Up
Swinging R leg, keep head left.
Point fwd, as transferring weight to RF turn foot and head to left. body turns less, leave upper body to Man to prepare next OP step.
Turn head back to left.
Q: LF back in CBMP | Backing DW | TH | 1/8 L between 5-6 | Body turns less | Sway(L) | Up NFR Lower e/o 6
S: RF back | Backing DW | T | Sway(S) | CBM | --
Note:
More advanced Lady dancers may, if the wish, use ball of foot to whole foot on the step preceding this pattern.
Basic Weave can be used along LOD, but often used at corner.
When Man shapes, lady turn head as shown above.
The figure is flat, do not rise. Use knees to absorb foot rise.
Connecting with Reverse Turn:
After SQQ of Reverse Turn, ending Man BDW, do a check step on "S":
Man needs to step back with RF, shape to L, raising his L arm, small step
Lady could do either toe lead or heel lead, depending on what kind of effect Man wants to have
Man could collect first, then take back step, in which case, it would be heel lead for Lady.
If Man doesn't lower to collect, then Lady takes a toe lead.
Lady collecting LF to RF (toe dragging on floor) and then step fwd HT (or TH depending on Man), shape to L, raising R side, really extend L side, head extends to L as far as possible.
Then continue with Basic Weave.
Alignment:
Could be danced as shown above, 1-4 Reverse Turn will end BDW, movement is along LOD
OR, danced at corner to change LOD (more often used): 1-4 Reverse Turn to end BLOD near corner, check and Basic Weave turning one of the following to end DW of new LOD
1/8, 1/8, 3/8
1/4, 1/8, 3/4
Preceding Figures
Following Figures
Top Spin (check back after step 6)
Outside Swivel (check back after step 6)
Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot (at corner)