Every week, you’ll find on our blog class notes and a summary video from our Wednesday and Sunday tango group classes.

These video and notes are meant to help our students remember what they’ve done in class.

Theme: Sacadas and boleos in Backward ochos

In this class, we added a sacada and boleo to backward ochos to add more oomph to your ochos!

Summary video

 

Backward ocho

Leaders

  • To enter into the backward ocho, you first need to stop on your left leg, which will put your partner on the correct leg to do the ochos.
  • When you dissociate for the ochos, make sure you only move your upper torso. The range of movement is not important, what is more important is the timing of the dissociation and the fact that your hips should stay still. Your side steps should be real side steps, your feet should not turn inwards or outwards.
  • For the dissociation, imagine you’re going around your partner, with the axis or the “hinge” of the dissociation being your partner’s supporting leg.
  • The lead should come from your torso, there is no need to push or pull your partner. Make sure your extended arm stays aligned with your torso, and don’t start extending and bending your left elbow as this might put your partner off balance.

Followers

  • For the ocho, try and use dissociation, which means, try and move your torso first, together with your partner, and then move your hips. Your hips should turn beyond your torso, so at the end of each pivot, you should be dissociated. At no point during the ochos, should you have your shoulders above your hips – unless it’s the last ocho and you are returning to neutral position.
  • Pivots are initiated from the heel, try and feel that you are kicking the heel of your supporting leg inwards to generate the pivot.
  • During the ochos, and especially during the pivots, you need to constantly push towards your partner with both hands, especially on the side of the extended arm. Try and avoid pulling your partner as you will lose your balance and make him loose his balance as well!
  • Do not change weight during the pivots. Collect your feet and keep the heels together during the whole pivot.

 

Intermediates: Ochos with sacadas and boleos

Leaders

  • Do not try and lead the sacada from the upper body by pushing your partner. The lead from the sacada comes from the lower body, when you move your legs. Your partner shouldn’t have the impression that you are invading her space.
  • First you need to create the opportunity for the sacada by leading the pivot, then you need to step forward to do the sacada.
  • Keep your weight forward and relase your partner so that she can transfer her weight completely to her back leg.
  • Do not change weight during the pivots. Collect your feet and keep the heels together during the whole pivot.

 

Followers

  • First finish your pivot before doing the sacada. You need to carry on with the basic ocho technique, e.g. step first, then pivot. Try and not merge the pivots and steps into one.
  • For the sacada, open the hip to create more space. Try and free the leg so that it whips around your supporting leg.

See you soon on the dance floor,

Nati y Bruno