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: Variations around the cross

Who doesn't like a cross? The cross is often considered as the tango's emblematic step. It's beautiful, and it's incredibly useful as it helps getting back in front of one's partners and changing from cross to parallel system. In this class, we looked at a couple of unusual cross combinations to add a bit of spice to your staple cross!

Summary video



 

Beginners & Improvers: The cross “in a box”

Leaders

  • By cross in a box, we mean a cross that is led directly from neutral, with no prior forward step. To lead the cross, leaders, you’ll need to dissociate as you go, e.g. during the transfer of weight. If you dissociate as you reach neutral position and after completing your step, the follower is very likely to respond by pivoting. The timing is the same as for a normal cross, when you are closing the dissociation halfway through the second step forward.
  • Try and not invade your partner’s space. Keep your shoulders down and horizontal when dissociating.

Followers

  • Followers, you’ll need to develop some sensitivity as to when the lead is for a pivot, and when it is for a cross. For a pivot, typically, you are in your axis and not in the middle of a transfer of weight – as you can only pivot on one leg. For a cross, typically you are traveling and changing weight from one leg to the other and the lead catches you before you collect your feet.
  • This cross is quite wide, so don’t try and keep your feet together as for the “linear” version of the cross.
  • Use the cross to generate the pivot.

 

Intermediates: Sacada / cross with the right leg

Leaders

  • Keep your torso dissociated towards your partner when you change lane. Also, try and keep your torso straight, do not lean forward.
  • Before entering into the sequence, take a bigger step. This will inform your partner that you are about to start something. Same thing when you exit the sequence.
  • The sacada is not created when the thighs get in contact. The sacada is created when the leader transfers his weigth forward. During the transfer of weight, no need to bend the knee or kick your partner’s leg away. The transfer of weight is enough to create the sacada/cross.

Followers

  • As for all sacadas, to make the step possible, you need to make sure you are transfering your weight and your axis in time and not too soon. If your right leg closes too soon, it will be impossible for the leader to enter into the sequence and lead the sacadas.
  • The cross is quite wide.

See you soon on the dancefloor,

Nati y Bruno