How to Two Step

Learning the basics of the dance hall 2-step

The world of country dance is wide and wild, and you’re raring to get on the dancefloor. Before you do, though, you need to learn a dance! The Country Two-Step is a simple, popular, and timeless dance that anyone can pick up in a few minutes. All you need is a partner and the ability to tell your right foot from your left. We’ll handle the rest as we show you how to get into position, perform the steps, and add a little twirl at the end to master the move.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Face your partner. As the leader, take your partner’s right hand in your left and place your right hand on their shoulder blade, with their left hand on your shoulder.
• The leader begins by taking 2 quick steps forward, starting with their left foot. The follower mirrors this, walking backward.
• Follow the quick steps with 2 slower steps, each lasting 2 full beats of music. Repeat the sequence, counting in your head, “Quick-quick, slow, slow.”
• Throw in a quick spin after a sequence of steps now and then, with the follower twirling during the quick steps.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Getting into Position

1. Stand facing your partner, with your bodies about apart. Stand tall with your back straight and your legs about hip-width apart. Position yourselves about apart with your feet slightly offset; the leader stands a bit to the left of the follower.^[1]
   
   • Keep your body close to your partner’s to help you stay together and balanced while you’re dancing.
2. Put your right hand on your partner’s left shoulder blade if you’re leading. The leader wraps their right arm loosely around and under their partner’s left arm, placing their palm on the follower’s shoulder blade. The follower places their left hand just above the leader’s right bicep, resting but not pushing down.^[2]
   
   • Don’t push, pull, or grip too hard—keep your stance loose and relaxed.
3. Hold your partner’s hand out to the side at eye level. As the leader, extend your left hand out and to the side, palm-up, about level with your partner’s eyes. As the follower, place your hand in your partner’s so that your palm faces down, with your fingers resting in the crook of their thumb, just like ballroom dancers do.^[3]
   
   • Keep your grip loose to avoid hurting your partner’s hand.
   • For a more casual, comfortable posture, lower your hand to shoulder-level, or drop it even further. Whatever feels right!
4. Stand to the left so you can see over your partner’s right shoulder. Stagger your stances so that your line of sight is slightly to the right of your partner’s head. This allows both of you to see your surroundings, and offers a slightly more natural dancing position.^[4]
   
   • Line up your right foot so that it points between your partner’s feet for a sturdy, agile stance.
   • If you can’t see over your partner’s shoulder, allow them to be the leader so they can guide you around the dance floor.

[Edit]Doing a Basic Two-Step

1. Begin the dance with 2 quick steps. Your first 2 steps each last 1 quick beat—count out “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,” and take your first 2 steps on “1” and “2.” The leader takes their first step forward with their left foot, and the follower mirrors, taking a step back with their right foot. Then take another quick, short step with your other foot.^[5]
   
   • Take comfortable, even steps that feel natural for both you and your partner. Imagine that you’re just walking, but to the rhythm!
   • Some variations follow the first quick step with an immediate step or tap from your other foot to realign. If you like, incorporate this tap when you get a better grasp of the dance.
2. Take 2 slow steps that last for 2 full beats each. Slow your movement so that both of your next steps take 2 beats instead of 1. Step forward with your left leg if you’re the lead, or step backward with your right leg if you’re following.^[6]
   
   • If you’re counting out the rhythm, take a slow step on “3, 4,” and another slow step on “5, 6.”
   • You’ll step the same way as you did for the first step, but this time it will be slow.
3. Move counterclockwise around the room as you dance. The line of dance is an imaginary line that goes around the dance floor. Faster dancers stay to the outside of the dance floor, while slower dancers move closer to the inside. The line typically moves counterclockwise, but always follow the flow!^[7]
   
   • If people are line dancing, they'll do it at the center of the dance floor inside the line of dance.
   • Once you’re comfortable with the basic steps, mix it up by turning 180 degrees during the quick steps, so that the leader is now the follower.

[Edit]Adding Turns

1. Begin the turn after a full sequence of steps. Turns go at the end of a quick, quick, slow, slow sequence. After you complete a set, the leader indicates that they’re starting a spin by pushing gently on their partner’s shoulderblade with their right hand.^[8]
   
2. Push the follower clockwise under your left arm. Let go of each other’s shoulders. The leader then guides the follower under and through the leader’s left arm. Keep holding hands all the while, but keep your grip loose to help your hands shift during the spin.^[9]
   
   • If you need to, temporarily release each other’s hands during the turn if necessary. Don’t twist your wrist as you turn.
3. Return to your dancing position on the slow steps. After the turn, get back into your dancing frame. Stay on the balls of your feet as you return to your starting position.^[10] Then, take 2 slow steps to complete the set. Continue into your next set of steps.
   
   • The turn lasts the duration of the 2 quick steps. While the leader takes 2 quick steps, the followers spins.
   • You don’t need to do a turn every sequence–your partner will get dizzy! Throw a turn in here and there, just to mix things up.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Also try the “Sweetheart Position,” where the leader’s right arm is around the follower’s shoulder, holding the follower’s left hand so that both dancers face forward.
• If you make a mistake, laugh it off and resume the dance on the next beat. Learning is part of the fun.
• Look for Two-Step classes at local dance studios, your local community center, or at nearby dance halls.
• Don’t bounce as you Two-Step. Your moves should be smooth and rhythmic.

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://youtu.be/YORegW3-hOc?t=139
2. ↑ [v162008_b01]. 25 October 2021.
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YORegW3-hOc&t=121s
4. ↑ https://youtu.be/YORegW3-hOc?t=139
5. ↑ https://youtu.be/YORegW3-hOc?t=166
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyWv6rHtLPw&t=106s
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyWv6rHtLPw&t=124s
8. ↑ https://countryswingaz.com/2018/10/13/arm-push-spin/
9. ↑ https://countryswingaz.com/2018/10/13/arm-push-spin/
10. ↑ [v162008_b01]. 25 October 2021.