In all Tango figures that end facing each other with the feet closed, the Man's right foot closes slightly behind his left foot (closed 3rd foot position); the Lady closes her left foot slightly behind her right foot.     

The difference in basic technique between the Tango and the Foxtrot, lies in the actual point at which one foot passes the other. In a single rhythm count in Foxtrot, the foot brushes or 'follows through' on count 2. In Tango, however, the brush does not come until after the 2nd count. Thus we count Tango 1 2 & 3 4 &. The brush occurs on the "&" count.

FOXTROT                                      TANGO

1      2	3      4	1    2   &	3   4   &
Step(Brush)	Step(Brush)	Step(h)(br)	Step(h)(br)

     Each pattern starts with the man's left foot (and the lady's right foot) free.  The shoulder pull in Tango creates that special 'confident' and 'almost arrogant' look in the dance. On the left forward step, pull the shoulder slightly backward. On the right forward step, pull the right shoulder slightly to the back. The shoulder pull is a clipped and subtler version of the Contrary Body Movement technique of the Latin dances. Only the shoulder is moved, not the hip to the shoulder together in one sweep.

    To dance the Tango almost authentically, professional and expert tangueros suggest a simulation of  the movement of a jungle cat when stalking a prey.  Always step with the ball of the foot first, and maintain a quietly alert and erect stance.