. . : lock step technique : :

Woowoo! One month anniversary!!

I just wanna outline and write down all the technique of the last two lessons. PG threw so much at us... but it's been awesome learning the cha cha! To be honest, I think I like it more than the rumba. The rumba's cool and all, but I like being energetic, not sultry. ^_-

Lock Step Back
2 I'm standing on my right foot with forward posture. Posture for the entire cha cha is always more forward than a normal stance because I'm constantly on the ball of my foot. Even though most of my weight is on the supporting right leg, the left foot is placed forward and absorbs the pressure slightly.
3 Weight is still on the right foot. The movement is that the pressure is taken completely off the left foot, moving the left hip up into its socket to do so. The left leg will no longer be completely straight as contact with the floor rolls from the outside of the foot to the ball of the foot.
4 Bring the ball of the left foot back into a backwards walk. The ball of my left foot should come in towards and brush my right ankle. Instead of taking a normal back step, however, the upper body will not move its position. So the count is ended with the left ball on the floor and the pelvis tilted back.
and On this count, the left leg remains where it is as the right leg quickly bends and slides in slightly. The right hip will be forced downwards in order to maintain correct footwork.
uh Compress both knees together so that they are touching without moving the feet. Roll the hips on this move. To correctly roll the hips, shift pressure about the ball of the foot; this will force the hips to move in a circular motion.
1 The weight is shifted mainly onto the left leg with the right leg left extended, the result of a backwards walking action. However, the right hip is pulled up more than normal, which will cross the legs and complete the hip action for the lock back.

Lock Step Forward
2 Initially, I'm standing on my left foot having just completed the lock back. The right toe is in contact with the floor. Shift contact to the ball of the foot and slightly bend the knee. Brush the right foot by the left ankle into a backwards walk. I need to make sure that the right foot stays relatively parallel. This right foot, now back, splits the weight with the front foot.
3 This step merely shifts the weight back onto the left leg. Only the toe of the right leg should be left in contact with the floor.
4 In a forward walking action, bring the right leg straight forward and have it absorb most of the weight.
and Compress and slightly bend the right supporting knee. At the same time slide the left leg in towards the right, so that now both knees are touching. It is important that both my ankles are still far apart though. Roll the hips throughout this motion.
uh With the feet remaining where they are, straighten the left leg, which in turn forces the right knee to bend. This count is so short that it is not visible while dancing. However, it is an important intermediate motion.
1 Shift the weight back onto the right leg, absorbing almost all the weight.