Move · Videos · Technique · 6 min

Argentine Tango Basics: Side, Forward and Box Step for Beginners

Argentine Tango Basics: Side, Forward and Box Step for Beginners — video by Helen Wang Tango Play · 6:20

Video by Helen Wang Tango on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Tango teachers Helen Wang and Guillermo Merlo teach the first steps of Argentine tango: the neutral position, sliding side, forward and back steps that collect the feet each time, and the box step (baldosa), then dance it to tango music and show it with a partner.

  • 6 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Latin

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 6

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Neutral position: heels together, toes open, body straight; then shift your weight right and left. 0:33
  2. Side step: soften the standing knee, slide the other foot out, then slide to close (collect). 1:03
  3. Forward and back: slide the left foot forward, collecting the feet each time, then add the side steps. 1:45
  4. Box step (baldosa): one side step, two forward, a side step and two back. 3:18
  5. Find the beat of the double bass in tango music, then dance the box step twice. 3:54
  6. With a partner: the same box step in an embrace, one leading and one following. 5:00

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Start in neutral: heels together, toes open and body straight
  • Soften the standing knee, slide the foot, then collect the feet after every step
  • Find the tango beat by listening for the double bass

What it works

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Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Hips movesweight shifts, side, forward and back steps
  • Knees movessoft standing knee, sliding steps
  • Ankles & feet movessliding and collecting the feet

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Helen Wang Tango; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety