Dance Practice – Tango, American Ballroom

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Remember to WARM UP and COOL DOWN! Practice LEAD (left first) and FOLLOW (right first) for all steps. Basic Step Remember: Gliding steps! This is a smooth, Latin dance! • Forward – Heel leads into a step. Then, push off back foot and turn that toe over (like you

are ice-skating). • Backward –Toe reaches out skimming the floor. SAY the rhythm: “Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow...” TIMING: “1 (and), 2 (and), 3-and, 4 (and) NUMBER OF STEPS: 1 2 3-4 5 (hold) (shown below)

Start

Forward or “Lead”

Forward RIGHT (2)

Forward LEFT (1)

Forward LEFT (3)

Side RIGHT (4), drag LEFT together (5) 4

5

2

3

1

Dance Practice – Tango, American Ballroom

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TIPS: Keep knees and hips slightly bent, and back erect with upright posture. (Like you are dancing inside a “Hobbit House” with slightly a low ceiling!)

Side LEFT (4), drag RIGHT together (5)

Backward RIGHT (3)

Backward or “follow”

Start

1 Backward RIGHT (1)

Backward LEFT (2)

2

3

4

5

Dance Practice – Tango, American Ballroom

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SIMPLIFY IT! WALK the TANGO! Just walk it! Walk forward for a few GLIDING counts beginning with the LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT…, then… …then continue walking forward on your RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT…

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walk backward for a few GLIDING counts beginning with the RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT…, then: …then continue walking backward with your LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT… Always step on the beat of the music.

Side LEFT (2), Together RIGHT (3)

Start

1

Back RIGHT

(1) 2

3

Start

1

3

2 Forward LEFT (1)

Side RIGHT (2), Together LEFT (3)

Dance Practice – Tango, American Ballroom

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OR

When you see this kind of outlined foot “step”, it means that there is no (or very little) weight on that step. Often, a foot will move into a “close” position near the other foot, between beats of music (think “hold” or “and”), to get ready for the next step.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEEKLY BALANCE CHALLENGE: Remember how smooth your steps were while you danced the tango? It’s because you were stepping first with your heels! Improve this “heel-toe” motion and strengthen the front of your shins by lifting your toes up off the floor.

• If you feel unsteady doing this motion, practice lifting your toes while holding onto a sturdy surface.

• You can practice this while you’re sitting in a chair, too! SAFETY TIP of the WEEK: When attempting to walk backward, always be sure that you are comfortable doing this. Scan your environment and clear any obstacles, and note any uneven surfaces. If your balance is challenged walking backward, practice it ONLY near a sturdy surface like a countertop or railing where you can use your hand to steady you. Also, use another person as a partner when practicing dancing backward: It’s fun AND safer!