Ballroom’s happiest dance
Quickstep: light, fast and joyful
Quickstep is ballroom with the brakes off. Couples skim around the floor with hops, runs and little kicks, and somehow make it look easy. It isn’t a first dance for most people, but it’s one of the most fun to work toward.
- Rated 4.9 on Google
- Founded by World and British champions
- Adults only
- No partner needed
A foxtrot that couldn’t sit still
The quickstep grew out of the foxtrot. As dance bands played faster, the long gliding foxtrot steps stopped fitting the music, and dancers started adding quicker steps, hops and runs. Over time those pieces settled into a dance of their own.
You can still feel the family resemblance. Quickstep uses the same closed hold and travels around the room the same way; it just does it with more bounce and a lot more speed. If you’ve learned some foxtrot, you’ll recognise the bones of it.
The pieces that give it the bounce
Chassés
The building block. A quick side-close-side that keeps you travelling and sets up almost everything else.
Lock steps
One foot crosses loosely behind the other as you move forward or back. Done well it looks like gliding; done badly it looks like tripping.
Hops and runs
Small jumps and fast running steps that come later, once the chassés and locks are solid. They’re what people picture when they think of quickstep.
All three depend on staying light on your feet with a steady frame, which is why quickstep is usually taught after the slower ballroom dances.
How to get there
Most adults at Beach Ballroom start ballroom with waltz or foxtrot, which build the frame and timing quickstep relies on. Group classes are booked with a 5, 10 or 20 class pass and added as groups fill.
If quickstep is a serious goal, maybe for a showcase or competition, a structured path helps. Our Development Path pairs private coaching with group training, and the Performance Path is built for dancers training toward a competition or a higher standard. Our page on competitive ballroom dancing explains both.
Things people ask about quickstep
Is quickstep hard on the knees?
It’s energetic, so good shoes and a gradual build-up matter. Smooth-soled dance shoes help you move without twisting. If you have a joint concern, mention it to your coach before you start.
Can I learn quickstep as a beginner?
You can start sooner than you’d think, but it’ll make far more sense once you have some waltz or foxtrot underneath it.
Who teaches ballroom at Beach Ballroom?
The ballroom team includes founders Richard and Laura, Antoine, Slavik and Bradley. It has competed at World, British and national level.
Aim for quickstep, start smooth
Tell a senior coach where you want to end up. The $99 consultation gives you a clear plan, from your first box step to your first set of hops.