Precision Week 1 (Spins/Turns + Cross Body Leads version)

Practice the Spins and Turns Kick-It Moves and the CBL moves.

• Practice the kick left turn (what is the correct name?) Instead of fwd L, you kick your L foot, cross your R in front of it, and turn.
• Practice the R turn (called "pivot turn"???) You do the basic and after you go back R, and are ready to go fwd L, you instead cross your L in front of your R, pause momentarily, and then in one motion make a R turn. Don't forget to spot.
• Practice the two open position cross body leads (2 hands, L hand, R hand) with a turn and without. Ditto for closed position CBL.

First Move:

• CBL from closed position, with NO left hand holding. Your R hand is on her shoulder, NOT in the middle of the follow's back.
• Next, you do the 1-2-3-4 footwork. You should be turned 90 degrees to the left, with your hand on her shoulder, but moving to the middle of her back.
• When you go into the 5-6-7-8 (starting with a tap right) you move your hand to the MIDDLE of her back, and firmly push with your full hand, emphasizing the heel of your hand. Push all the way across, then stop her by moving your hand to the middle and rocking forward so you are not stopping her with the heel of your hand so much, but emphasizing the fingers more.

Second Move: The Follow simply does two full turns and keeps her footwork going. This is a move for the lead to work a little harder. The first half is simple: full turn led with the left hand, except at the end instead of lowering your hand like in a normal, garden variety full turn, you keep your LH high. The second half is much more complex.

• 2nd Half Brief Overview. You then turn R, (but not ducking under your LH, and by the end of 1-2-3-4 you are facing away from the follow whereupon (on 5) you fake right, then (6-7-8) turn back left. Now you should be ready to go Fwd-L into a generic Basic.
• 2nd Half Details: 1-2-3-4. During the 2nd half of this move you tap Left as normal (on 1), step w/ your L foot in front of your right foot to begin your R turn (on 2), complete the 180 degree turn with your wt on your R foot (on 3) (Note: do you remember that your wt is always on your R foot on 3?). Next barely shift your wt to the L foot (on 4) as you keep your LH high and switch hands (you're now holding her hand high with your RH). Now comes the tricky part:
• More 2nd half details - 5-6-7-8. You step 45 deg back to the R and look over your R shoulder at her eyes, raising your RH over her head at the start of your leading her into her second full turn, noting that your weight is on your R foot (beat #5, normally tap R). Hold on with that R hand, you will NOT be able to do "halo" above her head as you do the next part, and you might actually pull her off balance (toward you) unless you REALLY get yoru arm back there and somehow keep it above her head while you are turning. Good luck, bosco. During 6-7-8 you are going to do a 180 left and end up facing your Follow. I did not catch the exact footwork in this class, but I think it goes something like this: On 6 (where you would go back-R in the basic, you bring your R foot in front a reasonable amount that does not make you look stupid. On 7 you step with your L foot getting enough around to pretty much face your partner. Then on 8 you shift our wt to the R foot and complete the 180 degree left turn. Your R hand is still high.
• Finish: ___________ add details here _________________
• Alternative to "More 2nd half details" above. After you step 45 deg back to your R and look her in the eye, Instead of reversing direction and turning L, instead continue going to your R and complete your turn. In addition to being easier for you, note that you are not reaching backwards and struggling to do a "halo" over the Follow's head and possibly pull her off balance, so this Alternative has benefits for the Follow!

Third move.

• Start off the same as First Move above.
• Then when her back is to you (you are keeping your RH in the middle of her back, remember?) you put your LH on her shoulder and bring it to your R, giving her another turn! Put your RH in the middle of her back as she puts her back to you a second time, and keep it there until she is facing you, and tilt your hand toward the fingers to stop her turn. The follow then lowers her arm onto yours - go into closed position Basic.
• Next, spice it up! Instead of going back to closed position basic, put your L leg in front of your R and do a pivot turn (pivot turn is to your R.) You finish this as she is turning to face you.
• If you spice it up, your follow has no idea what you did behind her back and will not know whether to expect you to be going into closed position or open position until you magically appear before her with her arms ready to do whatever. To be clear to her in your leading, you should _____________?-______.

Fourth Move (Actually a combo of First and Second or better yet, Third and Second). I was not able to accomplish this. I was too confused.

• One basic, then third move, then 2nd.
• You move right into the third move, without any pause in the middle for a "comfort" basic.

Kick-It Class (Cross Body Leads) Week 1
Notes of what Fernando said (Tues)
Supplemented by Lisa's Comments (Wed)

First New Step 1 - Open Position Cross Body Lead - both hands.

First, do a Basic:
# Say

1 Tap

2 LEFT

3 back

4 t' Center

- - - - - - -

5 Tap

6 RIGHT

7 back

8 t' Center


Second, on the next Basic, after Tap LEFT, think "TURN t' Center". As your left foot comes back to center, turn 90 degrees left, and prepare to go back RIGHT. Hand motion A below to lead your follow.

Third, when you go back RIGHT, prepare to finish the 90 degree left turn. When you come back to Center think "TURN t' Center" . As usual when you go back right your weight shifts to your right foot. Since we are thinking "TURN t' Center" lets take this opportunity to turn your left foot 90 degrees to the L. Then when the R foot comes "t' Center" it actually comes forward then around to the left, completing the last 90 dgerees of the 180 degree left turn. Hand motion B to lead your follow.

Hand Motion A: As you are stepping back and turning left you are opening up a gap between you and the follow. You extend your left hand out, waist high, so she knows you are starting the cross body lead.

Hand Motion B. As you go Back Right, your right hand is waist high in the middle, getting ready for a firm lead which is next: Then as you think "TURN t' Center" your right hand, holding hers, comes over your left extended arm. First your right wrist goes over your left arm, then your right forearm, and even all the way to your right elbow! Your right hand then comes back in front of you into a natural open position as you complete your turn. Essentially, your right hand describes the letter C in the horizontal plane above your left arm. The follows do NOT report this is an unnatural move, but in fact the great curving arc of the letter C tells them you are secure and confident in your leadership skills, as you guide the follow into a 180 degree turn.

Note the Follow has a lot of distance to cover. To make her job easier, cut it in half: In "Third" above, after you have gone back RIGHT, and as you come back to center with your right foot and as you say to yourself " t' Center" shift your weight to your left foot, you are going to do something different. Instead of merely shifting weight to your left foot, step to your RIGHT with your left foot, crossing slightly in front of your right. Essentially you move to your right about 6 inches or so. Then your right foot swings around to the left, in front, completing your left turn. This little movement to the right means your follow has an easier job of it.

Second New Step - Closed Position Cross Body Lead

Three differences:

First, you are in closed position. Make soure your right hand is up high enough, shoulder height. Do not drop hand toward waist, toward middle of back, or even down 6 inches. Horizontally it is between her shoulder and middle of her back for maximum leverage to steer her around.

Second, lead her with your arms is actually easier. The left arm does go out in the first half of the cross body lead turn. But the super obvious right hand exaggerated C movenent is not necessary. Your right hand is behind her shoulder. Push firmly, with more pressure than you think you need and more pressure than is logical, with your hand on her shoulder. Practice to see how much pressure is too much, but she will probably want more pressure than you feel comfortable with. She needs a confident leadership role from you in the second part of this. To do the side step thing, you need to simply _________________ fill ____ in ___ the ___ blanks ___ here.

Third, footwork is the same, but all your steps are smaller.

Third New Step - Open Position Cross Body Lead - Left Hand Only.

Open position. The lead drops his right hand and continues the basic with the Left hand.

Yes, the footwork is exactly the same.

Yes, leading with the left hand is exactly the same.

Yes, with your right hand dropped, there is no way in creation that you can do the exaggerated C motion with your right hand over her left arm. It just won't work. Instead, you _______________ with your right hand.

Tips from Lisa's class (Wed):

• Plenty of tension in hands.
• Keep hands in middle. I let them come toward my body -- don't do that!
• I also lean forward. Don't do that either - stand tall.
• On "Second" in "First New Step" above, in the first four beats where it says ", think "TURN t' Center". As your left foot comes back to center, turn 90 degrees left", I need to "open up" earlier. In other words, turn earlier. The Follow will be looking at your chest, and angling away from her signals to the Follow that its a cross body lead. But wait, there's more! In this very same first four beats, I need to ______.
• On "Third" in "First New Step" above, where it says ", when you go back RIGHT, prepare to finish the 90 degree left turn. When you come back to Center think "TURN t' Center" . As usual when you go back right your weight shifts to your right foot" note that Lisa teaches it differently. She wants you to NOT go back right, but instead with the right foot step to the side (to the right). Then to complete the turn the left foot turns left and the right smoothly comes beside it.
• ALSO during "Third" above, instead of making a capital C, your right hand makes a complete number 6 in the hoizontal plane, starting at the top of the 6 and moving around left. Thats basically the same as a capital C, except the motion continues a bit longer. Don't like the number 6? OK, then if it helps, imagine waxing the hood of a car with a circular left motion, or opening the door of a CTA bus.
• DRILL: Lead puts his hands on Follow's shoulders - elbows out with a good strong frame. Follow puts her arms on top of his arms, then her hands on his shoulders, reinforcing the strong frame.
• Just as in ___ above where you led with your left hand only, you can lead with your right hand only. Make sure to "open up" early and clearly, and be careful to make that full number 6.
• Finally, give her plenty of time to get around. In other words, you should not run into her shoulder. During "5-6-7-8" she should be enough past you when you begin to step around and turn left, that you don't collide. If the Follow is slow getting across, the Lead should accomodate: eitherr step behind her a half a beat later or do a better job of stepping to the right during the beginning of the "5-6-7-8".
• Step 4 - Open Position Cross Body Lead Right Hand Only - First, Lisa teaches this before both hands.I guess Both Hands will be in week 2. Second, we need to emphasize that the lead does the cross body lead in two pieces. The first piece is steps 1-2-3-4 where you do NOT lead her across - you just turn your body and get out of her way. Then as a separate and distinct part, as you step right with your right foot on the 5 in 5-6-7-8, that is when you start pullling he racross and "waxing the hood of the car" or moving your hand in a number 6 in the horizontal plane. How does she know to turn? Well, first your body has angled out of the way and your RH is holding her hand like its gonna be a cross body lead. Second, you hold your body upright and tighten your stomach and imagine that an invisible StarTrek force field is extending out of your tightened abs, and turning her. Strangely, this invisible force field works. Just tighten those abs.

Chips - Session J, Week 3

Hug And Toss "El Fernando"

Each instructor has the freedom and flexibility to use his or her own style in teaching the various combos. This is the style of the Hug and Toss, as taught by Fernando.

1. Sombrero. Make sure that I:

step to the left as I lead it to give her room,

do the tap step throughout,

actually do the rock part of the rock step,

push with the left hand during the rock step to signal the turn which will unwind the Sombrero, and

do NOT angle my body to face my follow during the rock step (continue to face straight forward)

2. First Hug. As I exit the Sombrero, I do something (I can't remember what - edit required here) to indicate she will keep turning left (inside), and I bring her into the first "hug" of the hug and toss.
   
3. When I am fully in the hug position, Rock Back R and keep facing forward; my Follow should be parallel to me facing 180 degrees the other way.
4. Exit (unwind) the first hug: push with left hand to signal unwind is coming, as I Rock Back L (resist the temptation to Swing L, it should be a Rock Back L at this point). As she finishes her unwind, it is a Rock Back Right (Edit needed: is this correct? Back right?).
   
5. Second Hug. Keep the tension in my hand, and keep your L Hand high, as you lead her into the second hug. Exit the second hug as before, with a push on Left H to signal the exit the second hug (unwind it). Footwork during the exit is (as above) Rock Back L.
6. Inside Turn. Your footwork is Swing back R as you initiate the inside turn, and you complete the inside turn with Swing Back L. (Edit needed? Double check this footwork and number 7 below)
   
7. One Swing Back Right
8. Back to Basic: Forward L
   

Interrupt Combo "Low" El Fernando

As taught by Fernando.

1. H.O.H. Right (shake hands position)
2. Interrupt 1.

Keep R. hand low so she knows its not going to be a complete inside turn. The follow's initial footwork is the same whether an inside turn or an interrupt, so I don't need to signal this at an earlier time. Simply keeping the R hand low at the time of the "shake hands" will suffice.


No thumbs. Keep R. Hand as fingers only, (otherwise I'll twist her arm off at the elbow. Ouch!)

J motion, like opening bus door. I need to make an effort to be smoother, and find a balance between yanking her hand down in the J and limply-wimply letting my hand mush thru the motion.


"Show the Hand" with your left hand. She takes my L hand.


Footwork is Swing Back R as I interrupt the turn, then Swing Back L after I interrupt the turn

As I swing Back L, I continue to hold both of Follow's L and R hands, signalling the interrupt will not be exited at this time (will be repeated).


3. Interrupt 2. Same as above, but you start holding the left hand, and in the middle of it, you drop (toss?) the left hand to signal that the interrupt will end soon, with an exit strategy to be led by my right hand.
4. Exit Strategy: Inside Turn, Right hand led, followed as usual by lead's inside turn (sw hands behind the back at pocket level) and then a left hand led inside turn of the follow.

Hug and Toss - El Steve-o

Dan: add more notes here after tonight's lesson!

Interrupt Combo "Low" El Steve-o

As taught by Steve at tonight's lesson.

Cross Reference

I am taking Chips Session J for the second time. My January 19 post contains my notes from the first time I took it. Looks like I was pretty confused!

Chips - Class #2 of Session J

Closed Position
I need to practice a little more here.

• Basic, Side Step, Swing Step
• Getting back into closed position after a Full Turn is still a bit rough and needs more practice.
• Tap Step always. Even during the full turn. Even in closed position.

Three Point Turn

• Remember, this is 3 full turns. She turns, He turns. then on 3rd turn the Lead goes 3/4 of the way around and with the wrong hand (with the right hand) turns her in her last full turn. Follows hardly notice a difference, but Leads have lots of work to do, if they want to get it right.
• Tap step thru the whole thing.
• I need to practice being a better lead in that last turn. After the 3/4 part, in the next split second, think of it as three pieces for my feet: Hook-Step-Step.

First the footwork, the main point of which is NOT to break your rhythm and be Mr. Mush Foot: Hook means right foot goes back and "hooks" behind you left to do the last 1/4 turn. Step Step means after you've completed the 1/4 turn, tap the left foot, then the right, in place. You are now poised to do something with your LEFT foot, such as "Forward Left" into the Basic.

Finish the 3/4 part: Keep your right arm low. Look to the right at your Follow's eyes, or over her head, so you observe how tall she is (and how high your arm will be going in the next half second)

Hook. As I hook my right foot, simultaneously I should raise my arm, which was low (above). The sequence is: A) Finish-3/4-Arm-Low. B) Hook-Step-Arm-High.


Step. Do not limply turn her. Use energy to force a little turn above her head. You are in charge so take charge.

Step. Finish the turn with your arm high before you lower the arm. Do not lower her arm before she finishes her turn.

Sombrero

• Going into it, practice holding onto the Follow's hand with my right, so she does not slip out as if doing a full turn. Plus a firmer grip signals to her that its a Sombrero.
• Next, I need to practice keeping my right hand low behind her back.
• Next, think of the rock step as Tap right, Rock left, Tap right:

Tap right - My Left hand holds hers in the middle.

Rock left - My Left hand extends to the side and PUSH back (Weak area - practice more!)


Tap right - Bring my left hand back to middle as you go into the un-wrap turn to get her out of it. By the way, I need to be more authoritative as I pull her out of this turn. Instructor told me this, and when I really spun three Follows and asked if I'd twisted their arm out of the socket they all said no not at all, and the extra bit of leading was much appreciated (and made the dance more fun).

1. 
   

Sombrero Combo #1 - Simpler

• Full Turn.
• Basic
  
• Two Point Turn
• Basic
  
• Sombrero
• Wrap
• As I swing "Back Right" on fourth wrap, decide whether to go back to basic right away (more difficult for me), or do two swing steps and go back to basic (for me this is easier). Decide, then clearly lead one or the other. Going back to basic right away looks better, but I find it more difficult.
  

Sombrero Combo #2 - More Fun

• Full Turn.
• Basic
  
• Two Point Turn
• Basic
• Three Point Turn
• Sombrero
• Exit Sombrero & go into Four Point Turn: A) inside turn your follow, B) "Hand Over Heart, Right Hand "shake hands"): C) Inside turn the Follow D) Inside turn self - hands behind back at pockets then grasp both Follow's hands as you . . .
  
• . . . .go into The Wrap
• As I swing "Back Right" on fourth wrap, go back to basic right away.

Taste Week 2 - Practice Tips

The main practice tips for me are:

Shift my Weight in all the Steps.

• I'm good in the Basic.
• Need to work on this in all other steps, including Side Step, Swing Step and Full Turn.

In Side Step, To Lead More Clearly

• When you are "back to center", make sure to almost pause for a spit second, before your hand sweeps to the side making part of a nice W shape.
• After I've fully shifted my weight to the side, I'm not done with the hands. I continue to lead the Side Step by continuing my hand to the side for another split second. Keep hand waist high. Do not lead by raising hand as it goes to the side.

In Full Turn, To Not Look Like A Dork

• My first "Forward Left" step in to the turn is just like the basic "Forward Left" in that I do shift my weight forward. Helps maintain balance
• Then turn 180 degrees to the rear and shift my weight to the ball of my right foot.
• Bend the knees a tiny bit to maintain balance
• Keep steps small to maintain balance
• Turn on the ball of your right foot. Your left foot "kisses" the side of the right foot.
• Someday I'll be good enough to do all of the above and complete the turn in time so that I can pause slightly in the center on "and", (if I'm counting "and 6-7-8") then have enough time to go back right without stumbling. Maybe someday.

Swing Step

• Toss that hand early - as I'm going back to center (after Fwd Left or after Back Right).
• Do not wait until you are back to center and then toss the hand. Thats when you should be pausing and starting your strong pull down the center with the other hand.
• I tend to be late. Very late. But not as late as I was before, so I'm improving. This is a problem I need to work on.

Two Point Turn (He Turns, She Turns)

• Begin to "setup" as I'm going back to center (after Fwd Left). Not when I get to center. Alas, I tend to be late with this.
• I'm pretty good at holding my Follow's hand at head level. I need just a little more work on adjusting to the height of my Follow.
• Likewise, just a little more practice at keeping my hand high above her head 'till she completes her turn fully. Only then do I lower it to her waist and start my turn. Get this sequence right so I don't confuse my Follow (or worse yet, smack her in the face with my elbow because I forgot to lower my hand before starting my turn).

All Open Positions

• My hands are too close to me sometimes. They need to be more in the middle, between me and the Follow.

Taste Week One - Practice Tips

Things to practice after the first lesson.

Basic Step: Four Beats With Three Steps. Do it twice for 8 counts

1. And. In this class you don't do anything on the first beat. Think of a brief "and" or "pause" on this beat.
2. Forward Left. As your left foot goes forward, move your body & shift your weight over it
3. Back to cen- as your left foot goes back to center, move your body & weight over R foot
4. -ter Center is two counts. This is the second.
5. And
6. Back Right As your R foot steps back, move your body & shift your weight over it
7. Back to cen- As your L foot goes back to center, move your body & weight over it
8. -ter Center is two counts. This is the second.

Notes:

• You don't swing your hips, as something you are actively trying to do. You shift your weight, and the hips movement just happens, naturally.
  
• Don't stick your foot forward and back like you are trying to trip a bank robber. Move your body over the step and shift that weight!
• Small steps. How small? Ask the instructor!
• Practice this over and over, preferably to Salsa music.
• If you are not rhythmically gifted, culturally attuned to Salsa music, or a general Klutz, do not worry. You will get it - it will just take longer and more practice, and more listening to the music of this culture.

Side Step:

• Same beat and rhythm, as basic,
• But instead of forward and back its side to side.
• Be particularly mindful of taking small steps. This looks better & will help you with the next point.
• Be focused on shifting your weight. Its easy to stick your foot out sideways instead of moving your body over your foot.
• The lead moves his hands in more of a U. The thing I learned this week (4th time thru taste and I'm still learning) is make sure you go waist height, not higher which confuses the follow and might lead her to think its a turn, AND take a longer arm motion. Seems backwards, but small step, with bigger arm motion that actually continues for a while after the step is completed, is something I'd never thought about before. The follows all say its much easier to interpret what I'm leading. Yes, all of 'em.
  

Swing Step:

• Same beat. Same rhythm. As for foot placement, you learned it in class.
• The main practice point for me is to take smaller steps, and to shift that weight.
• As a lead, I need to remember to toss the hand sideways early enough. Oh yeah and keep it low (I keep tossing the hand too high and the follow thinks its a turn. Sigh...)
  

Full Turn:

• Same beat. Same rhythm. As for foot placement, you learned it in class.
• The main things I did wrong, (and that I need to watch out for in practice) are:
• When you step forward in to the turn, go straight forward. Don't step right at a 45 degree angle in an attempt to start your turn early and make it easier on yourself.
• If you can (and you probably cannot at first, so don't worry), attempt to bend your knee as you step forward. You will wobble less as you turn.
• If you are counting (and this studio does not push counting, so if you don't want to count, thats cool, just read this and take it for what its worth), you want to get to the point where you get halfway thru the turn on the second beat, leaving your self plenty of time in beats 3) and 4) to finish the turn and attempt to look graceful. This means 1) the "and" is still a brief pause, and 2) the beat where you'd step forward in the basic is the place where you step forward and turn 180 degrees to the rear. I still can't turn this fast, but I'm better than I was a few months ago. You then use beats 3) and 4) to complete the other 180 degrees and go back to center with your weight over your left foot by the time you get to beat 4). Thats good news since it helps you look like less of a dork when you go back on your right.

Mix it Up:

• For practice, do all of the above for a minute each.
• Then mix it up, and practice with 4 of each step, 4 more basics, and then one full turn (4 basics, 4 sides, 4 swings, 4 basics, one full turn). Repeat till comfortable.
• Then mix it up, doing all of these steps in random order.
• If the follow can close her eyes and follow your lead, then you are doing it right.
  

Chips - J*, Week 1. Practice These Combos

*Note:
Chips "J" means the Chips in January and then every other month (March, May, July, etc.)

Coming out of this first Chips class you have two combinations to practice: The Wrap and the Three Point Turn.

The Wrap

• Swing Step a little bit
• When you go back left, lead anticipates grasping BOTH hands, instead of just with your left.
• As you swing back right, you are grasping BOTH her hands. This is so unusual, she know's something's up!
• Coming out of "swing back right" lead turns left, raising right arm & draping around you, your left hand holds her hand low, slides on your stomach/side as you turn.
• Finish your turn "swing back left" and catch her free hand with your LH. Now lead's RH is low, and LH is moving up in preparation for - - -
• Lead turns her to lead's R, with leads LH going high and draping (wrapping) around her.
• Finish this turn grasping BOTH hands, this signals you are doing a 3rd and 4th turn.
• 3rd wrap turn
• 4th wrap turn. But when you come out, instead of grasping both her hands, lead just grasps with left hand, (she then understands that wrap is over!) and does a single swing step (Back Right) And back to basic.

Three Point Turn (Last Turn Cross Led) (Edit: See Chips, Session J, Week 2 for more detailed description)
This is simply 3 full turns, except the lead uses the right hand for the last turn. Since lead's right hand reaches across, I think of this as "cross led".The first two steps are a regular two-point turn. The third feels funky at first, but is actually easy once you learn it.

1. First Full turn. (Setup, "She Turns".)
2. Second Full turn (Lead's elbow down, "He Turns")
3. Coming out of "He Turns", lead doesn't switch hands behind his back at pocket level and do a full turn. Instead, lead turns 3/4 of a circle, and presents the right hand (palm up? palm down? HELP!) and using the right hand (feels like the wrong hand) lead does the setup in the same position, Follow's hand in an L just above head level) and leads the full turn in the regular normal direction (this might feel backwards, but its not).
4. At conclusion of 3rd turn, immediately go "Back to Basic - Forward Left."

Chips - Session F, Class 4

We learned 3 combos in this class.

1. The Waterfall

You can get into this from one side or the other. This example is one, but they are mirror images.

• You are in the swing step. Assume in this example you are in "swing Back Right".
• When you come "Back to center" you grasp both hands (almost as if you were starting The Wrap), but immediately go from having your wrists parallel, to crossing with your right wrist over your left. This time your right hand is above.
• As you swing "Back Left":
• Continue to hold both hands.
• But your top hand (right hand in this example) goes up behind her head. As it goes up there, drop her hand, and brush your hand over the back of her head, and . . .
• . . . down over her shoulder, and as you come back to center you "show the hand" with your right hand. Note hands are now crossed in the center but this time your right hand is below.
• Now "swing Back Right", draping left hand behind her head
• You have now done two drapes. Now its time to drape yourself.
• I forgot exactly how thats done. But the idea is tosignal you are going to drape yourself instead of the Follow, then drape yourself twice, then get out of the waterfall.

2. Getting out of Waterfall (Or Swing Step)

• To get out of the waterfall (note: this also works to get out of the swing!) you hold both of your hands in the middle as you come back to the center.
• Raise hands up into prayer position in front of faces. Her elbows are in. Lead's are on the outside.
• Now using your body to do the leading, you lead a "Back to Basic Forward Left" move. As you do so, your hands go up the center, over her head . . .
• . . . . and you drap behind her hair and go to closed position.
• This is a very romantic looking move!
  

3. I Can't Remember The Third Combo

Chips - Session F, Class 3 - The Tornado

Practice Tips for the Tornado

To get into the Tornado, you need to be in open position, with your hands crossed in the middle. Lead's right on top. There are tons of ways to get into that position. Three are listed below.

Getting Into Position

Method 1 - Three Point Turn.

1. Do a three point turn. (Full Turn; He Turns 3/4; then "She Turns" is "cross led" with R. Hand)
2. Lead "Shows the hand" with left hand underneath, but does not let go with his R Hand.
3. Now you are in open position, with your hands crossed in the middle, right wrists above the left.
   

Method 2. Two Full Turns - Second Cross Led.

1. Full Turn. As usual, at the end of the turn, her R Hand is in your L Hand, as normal.
2. You "steal the hand" while you are momentarily "back to center", taking her R Hand with your R Hand.
3. Then with your R Hand, you do the setup, and the lead, into a second Full Turn.
4. "Show" your L Hand below the right. Observe that your hands crossed in the middle, right wrists above the left.
5. While she is doing these two full turns, Lead's footwork is just The Basic.

Method #3. Fancy. I think this is what we learned in class.

1. Do some swing steps then go into a H.O.H. coming out with your LEFT. At this point you would normally go "Forward Left" then inside turn her, but don't! Instead . ..
2. Go "Forward Left" then Setup / Full Turn her, leading with the left hand as normal
3. Then do steps 3, 4 and 5 under Method 2 above.

No matter what method you use, you're now all set up to do the Tornado
because you are in open position, with your hands crossed in the
middle, right wrists above the left.

The Tornado

1. Do a half basic as you lead in to a full turn. You are doing the setup with TWO HANDS.
2. Lead the Full Turn with TWO HANDS.
3. Your R Hand will need to lbring her hand to you, and drape you. It can either "drape" behind your hair, or if you are tall bring your R Hand to your R Shoulder and she gracefully "drapes" there.
4. Closed Position. Do a couple of basics while you re-adjust and get into closed position properly.

Taste - 4th Week Steps

We Learned Two Different "Hand Over Heart" Turns, and The Wrap

Two Different Hand Over Heart Turns
Description: From a swing step, the lead does a hand over heart turn and takes the follow's right hand. He can comes out and takes the follow with his left hand (Two Point Turn) or his right hand (Four Point Turn). You'll be "taking" the follow's hand a lot, so remember how to do it. Fingers only (not whole hand) and fingers are fairly straight - not too grippy.

The Introduction - Getting Ready for These Two Turns
Introduction. You need to be in the swing step. Swing left; swing right; swing left; swing right; etc.

For beginners, the easiest is to simply do a couple of basic steps, and then get into the swing step. Leads, you signal the swing step from the basic by giving an early warning signal (Some instructors call this "setup" and others call it "about to"), which is a side toss at waist height BEFORE you swing. Example, lead goes "forward left" in the basic, and as the lead's left foot is returning to center he's already tossing the follow's left hand to the side with his right hand. He does not wait until his feet are "back to center". So, to get ready for the these two turns, beginners can just do:

• Basic (two to four, whatever is comfortable)
• Swing step (three to five of 'em)
• The lead's the final swing step before these turns is "back right".

Hand Over Heart Turn

• Lead does the "hand over heart" turn. Lead's left hand is low, placing follow's hand on his side.
• Lead keeps his step small and feet close together. Follow keeps doing that swing step!

Two Point Turn

• Lead reaches follow's hand with his LEFT hand.
• Lead swings "back left", follow should be swinging "back right".
• Lead pulls follow with his left hand into an inside turn, and ends up "back right". Follow ends up "back left".
• Then you get out of it by doing several swing steps.

Four Point Turn

• Lead reaches follow's hand with his RIGHT hand. Also known as "shake hands" position.
  
• Lead swings "back left", follow should be swinging "back right".
• Lead pulls follow with his right hand into an inside turn, and ends up "back right". Follow ends up "back left". Note even tho lead's right leg is back, his right hand is forward grasping follow's right hand.
• Lead does a left turn, which is really similar to a hand over heart turn except as noted above you are already holding the follow's right hand in your right. You keep your hand low and as you turn and your right hand is behind you at pocket level, you steal the follow's hand with your left. Follow continues swing step. After the lead's left turn, follow ends up "back right" and lead ends up "back left".
• Note at this point lead's left hand is holding follow's hand, so the final move is simple. Its just the lead guiding the follow into an inside turn at the end of which the lead swings "back right" and follow is "back left".
• If you are REALLY good you can go right back to basic. The rest of us will do a couple of swing steps and then go back to basic.

The Wrap

• This is one way the wrap is taught. There are others.
• Leads signal the wrap by taking both hands to one side. You can wrap left or wrap right.
• Lets say you take both hands, waist height, to the right. The lead's right hand is out to the right and the left hand is centered in front of the lead's belly button.
• The lead lifts his right hand (his "far out" hand) as the lead does a turn to the left. The right hand goes back over the lead's head bringing the follow's hand with it, and as he turns left the lead's left hand goes on his belly and slides off onto his waist.
• The lead completes his turn and faces the follow, then leads the next wrap by . . .
• . . . . moving both hands to the left, waist height.
• The lead raises his left hand (his "far out" hand) and turns the follow "in" (across toward the lead's right) pulling his left hand behind the follow. The lead's right hand grazes the follow's waist as he lets go with that hand.
• Follow completes the turn.
• I have no idea how the footwork on this is supposed to look. Sorry!

Chips - Session J, Week 4

Table of Contents
A. Practice Tips for Closed Position
B. Lead Hook Turn (or whatever it might be called)
C. Combination called [no official name, Steve calls it "earth wind and fire"]
D. (added 3/23/07) Practice the Hug and Toss

A. Practice Tips for Closed Position
R. Arm. As a lead I need to keep my R. hand on her shoulder blade, well onto the upper part of the shoulder blade. Do not drift down onto Follow's back, and certainly not onto her waist. Keep my R. arm high enough so Follow can rest her arm on mine.
Basic. No signals with arms. You lead with your whole body. Surprisingly, the Follow can understand this, but you must lead with confidence and authority.
Side Step. No signals with the arms. I lead with my body.
Full Turn. You push forward and down as you go Left Forward, before "back to center Setup". This will feel strangely exaggerated but just do it anyway. For "setup" nothing is different: you raise L Hand to head level as usual. Try not to clonk the Follow in the head as you lead the turn.
Swing Left. Left arm moves out to the left as your left foot goes Back Left, but there are two important differences: you hold on with your left hand as you swing Back Left. Also, your right hand does not drive down the middle, it stays on her shoulder blade.
Swing Right. There is no difference from the way you lead a right swing from open position. Your right land does let go, and you draw your left hand down the middle.

B. Lead Hook Turn (or whatever it might be called)
Practice Tips:

• If I can't get all the way around, think about a 1/4 turn followed by a3/4turn.
• Bend my knees down a bit. Less likely to lose my balance!
• What comes next? Well, since I do the hook turn on "Back Right", the next step is forward left. Logical, but feels unnatural to me. I need to practice this. I am tempted to go Back Right after the hook turn to regain my stablility. It helps me resist this temptation if I lean forward as I come out of the hook turn. I'm more likely to actually remember to go forward left!

C. Combination called [no official name, Steve calls it "earth wind and fire"]

Introduction
You will be smoothest if you manage to start in the handshake position. There are lots of ways to get into the handshake position. This is one way:

• Basic
• Full turn your Follow
• Rock Step. As I (the Lead) rock step Back Left, I hold my L hand low . This sorta signals to the Follow that an inside turn is coming soon.
• Inside Turn the Follow. (As she turns, I swing Back R.)
• H.O.H. -Right (handshake position)

Earth Wind and Fire
From the handshake position:

• Draw her across in front of me with my R Hand. R Hand is high and L Hand is low. Footwork: Swing Back R.
  
• E.W.F 2. Do the E.W.F move as taught in class. Footwork: Swing Back L.
• E.W.F 3. Do the E.W.F move as taught in class. Footwork: Swing Back R.
  
• E.W.F 4. Do the E.W.F move as taught in class. Footwork: Swing Back L, and get mentally strong to exit this move. Your time has come.
  
• Hook Step back with Right Foot. Your L Hand is now low and your R hand is now high. As you hook step back with the right foot, my left hand does not rise. My L Hand stays low behind my back. Simultaneously the R Hand comes down in front. (Yes, it is strange that both hands are low, plus you are mid stream in a hook step, which makes life doubly weird).
• Back to Basic. You are now facing your partner. Do at least two, maybe three basics. Your R. Hand goes up to top of Follow's head and lets go.

1. During this time look into Follow's eyes and s l o w l y comb follow's hair with your R Hand as you take your leisurely time going down her hair, shoulder and arm and eventually getting to her hand and do the basic in the open position.
2. During this time Follow's R Hand should s l o w l y go down the R side of her head, shoulder and R side and eventually find your R hand in an open position Basic.

D. Practice Tips for Hug 'N Toss (Hug1, Toss, Hug2, Exit) These Hug 'N Toss practice tips were added 3/23/2007, and reflect Steve's classs. Other instuctors have slightly different styles.

Introduction: You get into it from the wrap.

1. You can get to the wrap any way you want, so long as you get to the wrap.
2. Example: Basic Sombrero During the 2nd turn of the wrap ("She Turns") you hug her in to your side instead of completeing the wrap turn.
3. [See fancy option below]

The Toss Out. The 4 following items all happen simultaneously:

1. Establish your line. You are in line, to the left of your follow, not in front or back.
2. Using your L Hand slight push on upper arm to help your follow spin out directly on the line.
3. Your arm does not extend straight like a string, but ends up in a V. This is a forward V about 6-12 inches ahead (not a downward V).
4. Footwork:

• Direction. You must move L as you toss, making it easier on her & cutting distance she travels in half.
• Verbally. This is 4 counts as you move left, saying: "Back, Left, Right, Tap". Then its 4 counts back to your right saying "Back, Right, Left, Tap"
• Details - Left. "Back" means the R foot goes behind the Left. The two middle steps are small (Left, Right). Finally, your tap with the L foot can be either toe or heel. I like heel because I stumble less.

Hug 2

1. On the first count you do the J move with your hand to swing her back in, and simultaneously start the footwork for you to go back right and meet her in the middle
2. When she wraps in, grasp her hand.
3. Footwork Details - Back to the Right. As you wind her back into Hug #2, the concept is the same. Your L foot goes back behind the R, then 2 small steps, then for the right foot "tap" I like the heel rather than the toe to finish. You've tapped with your R, so your next step is with your R foot.

Exit. Left hand unwinds her, while you swing "Back Right". (& back to basic if you want)

Fancy Option. At the point indicated above, you can do an 8 count of a sideways lean against your body. Lead widens stance to balance her on top of you at not quite 45 degree angle. (Maybe just partway down, like 60 degrees?) Follow looks elegant, perhaps pointing toe, putting toe on knee, etc.

Chips - Session J - Week 3

This post needs more editing - it is incomplete in many respects.

Table of Contents:
A. Introduction to Interrupts
B. SWIC-3 (Sombrero, Wrap, Interrupt Combo - 3 ways to exit)
C. Hug and Toss

A. Introduction to Interrupts

(Edits needed here)

B. SWIC-3 (Sombrero, Wrap, Interrupt Combo - 3 ways to exit)
Here is an overview of the steps for this combo.

1. Basic. Do one, or two if you wish.
2. Sombrero. As I unwind it, I need to stir my follow more authoritatively.
3. 3 Swing Steps. Back Right. Back Left. Back Right but hold both hands to signal . . .
4. . . . Wrap turns. Wrap self then her. Wrap self then her.
5. Swing Step Back Right, to prepare for the H.O.H. turn
6. H.O.H. - Right (i.e. "shake hands"). But instead of inside turning her, instead you . . .
7. . . . . Interrupt. Your RH pulls her across into the start of an inside turn and while her back is to you your RH touches her R shoulder to "interrupt", while you rock step Back Right. Then your RH pushes back (while you swing left).
8. Interrupt, a second time. (Edit needed - Do we do something before we proceed to the next step and exit?)
   
9. Exit. There are three ways to exit from this:

• Spin Left. Let go with L Hand, as you go Rock Back R. Next, as your footwork goes Forward L, you push Left (across your chest with your R Hand. Think of a J-twist as if opening a bus door.) (Is this correct? Do I have the footwork wrong?) Then Back to Basic. One which is easiest to learn - is this it?
• Spin Right. Let go with R. Hand, as you go Rock Back R. Next, as your footwork goes Forward L, you hang on with your L Hand, and lift it over her head, and pull her into an inside turn. (Is this correct? Do I have the footwork wrong?)
• Something Else I can't remember. (Need some edits here. Something about two full wrap turns, then back to basic? Not sure.....)

C. Hug and Toss

(Edits needed Here)