The serpentine figure is executed in single file. The leader steps in front of his lady and leads the way up the center of the room; as each couple turns to go up the center, each gentleman steps into single line ahead of his lady, forming by degrees the whole couples into single file. When the first gentleman reaches the top of the room, he leads the way to the right entirely round and round the room, each successive round passing inside the former, describing a spiral track towards the center of the room. As soon as the inner coil becomes small, the leader turns sharp round to the left and retraces his step between the coils, until he marches between the coils entirely out of them. He continues his march until all the coils are unwound, and then each gentleman retires a step to the left of his lady partner, and the march is continued in column until all the couples have fallen into regular order again.

At the conclusion of the march, the leader stops, gives a signal for the music to be changed into a waltz, and leads off with his partner, followed by the other couples in succession.

In order to insure success in a Grand March, no gentleman can be allowed to act as cavalier to two ladies, as the movements require all to march in couples. The leader should regulate his pace to suit circumstances, endeavoring always to keep the line of march unbroken, and the couples at uniform distances from each other. The couples, also, must follow exactly in the track of those before them and of the leader, keeping correct time with the music.