Basic Folk Dance Steps

Folk dancing varies from one region to another; however, there are a few basic steps which all forms of folk dancing have in common no matter what the region. These basic folk dancing steps include the polka, hopping and slide steps.

Polka

 In order to perform the polka do the following steps in 2/4 time:

1. Hop with your left foot


2. Step with your right foot


3. Bring your left foot to the right foot


4. Step with your right foot and hop with your right


5. Step with your left foot


6. Bring your right foot to the left foot


7. Step with your left foot and hop with your left foot

Additionally, you can turn in a clockwise direction after each hop to add turns to your dance steps.

Hopping Steps

Hopping steps are a basic folk dance step which requires the feet of the dancer’s to leave the ground. One method of hopping is to hop on one foot and then the other. Another method would be to hop twice on each foot.

Slide Steps

Slide steps are a basic folk dance step which allows the dancers to travel from one spot on the floor to the other. In order to perform this step you need to:

1. Side step with your right foot


2. Bring your left foot to meet the right foot


3. Side step with your right foot


4. Bring your left foot to meet the right

The slide step can also be performed by starting with your left foot as well.