Quick Fix for the Rumba Box Blues

TIP FOR BEGINNER OR TEACHER

Rather than do the Rumba box step, simply step side-together-side, to the timing of quick-quick-slow. Begin turn to the left very very gradually while thinking of doing most of your turn on the slow. In no time you will be doing the box, and you can skip that troublesome part of remembering which foot to move forwards or backwards with. Once you begin turning the side-together-side figure, the slow step will gradually and naturally begin to become a forward or back step. As long as you don't think about when it it begins to happen you'll be fine. But, don't be surprised if the moment you begin to get it and realize you doing the box that you may make mistake. However you will have proved to yourself you can do it, and beating that belief system is the whole battle. 

For teachers accustomed to dancing slow-quick-quick, rather than quick-quick-slow, I say, "Get over it" for now at least, until your student gets accustomed to a box. If you are reading this and thinking, "What's the difference between QQS vs SQQ?", there is none that matters. Some start one way, others start the other. For those that were not thinking that because you know the difference, then you already know, it doesn't matter in social dancing (Or competitive for that matter).

The reality is that the box step is hardly natural. If you find it difficult in the beginning it is not you. Having a person bring their feet together, then asking them to chose the correct foot next is just asking for trouble. If you ask anyone that has their feet perfectly together, which one they are standing on, they will either  have trouble answering, tell you "both", or lie and pick one. The truth is they are standing on both, which gives that a person a natural choice as to which foot to "Pick" next. And choices are bad! Bad choice! Bad! Dancing the step side-together-side alleviates most of this issue, as the foot that runs into the other tends to allow us to kick out the other, should we be moving in that constant direction, and not having had to put the brakes on to get our weight to stop moving and prepare to go forwards or backwards.  

This tip really only works with rumba, and doesn't really work with Waltz. But, if it can get you over the hump with the box, then later a box, is a box, is a box. And a little secret, way down the road, it's all a box. 

ALL MEN SHOULD KNOW AND USE THIS

Most male students, especially beginning to intermediate, but not limited to,  should take this into account when dancing with someone that is new. Guys, if you're out and about and you ask someone to dance that doesn't know the box step, you could stop and show them the box if your goal is to completely humiliate her with additional plans for her to never dance or even talk to you again. Or you could try out a simple side-together-side action. Personally, truth be told, I wouldn't even do side-together-side if I were in any setting other than a ballroom dance setting. I'd clutch and sway and twirl her lightly now and then. But, in a ballroom setting, where you run into the beginner that has not had any lessons yet, this is the gem. 

Oh, and one more tip for our gentlemen dancing with newcomers. I always start in promenade with a beginner in dances like Foxtrot or Tango. No need risking stepping on a foot. Promenade is the gift from the Foxtrot mixer gods. 

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