Rumba Cucarachas

This is a Newcomer Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of dance steps, including timing, and movement; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Leader

Step	Timing	Movement	Turn	Notes
1	2	LF to side with part weight.	--	This is LF Cucaracha.
2	3	Transfer weight to RF		Flat Foot.
3	4 1	Close LF to RF
1	2	RF to side with part weight		This is RF Cucaracha
2	3	Transfer weight to LF		Flat Foot.
3	4 1	Close RF to LF

Follower

Step	Timing	Movement	Turn	Notes
1	2	RF to side with part weight.	--	This is LF Cucaracha. No artificial forward "tick". Center moving forward is a result of figure 8 action.
2	3	Transfer weight to LF		Flat Foot. There is only partial weight transfer, not full weight.
3	4 1	Close RF to LF		On '4': when feet come close together, do it sharp, fast, rotate hip and try to show bigger gap between one bent leg and one straight leg. On '1': distinct, quick weight switch. Knee draping across each other. There could be different dynamics. Steal time: really twist (think of twisting wet towel), and then last second, twist.
1	2	LF to side with part weight		This is RF Cucaracha.
2	3	Transfer weight to RF		Flat Foot.
3	4 1	Close LF to RF.

Technique Notes

• Cucaracha is 3 steps ended with feet together.
• Start in Closed Position. See Rumba Technique for details on hip motion.
• Feet relative direction to each other: side, side and slightly fwd or back, fwd or diagonally fwd, back or diagonally back.
• Feet are apart with part weight.
• Gold level: A Press Line may be used by Man when dancing a fwd Cucaracha by allowiing Rf to swivel slightly to R as he steps a fwd LF in line with RF, on ball of foot with hell raised.
• L knee is flexed, R leg straight and RF flat.
• There is no hip movement.
• The Press Line may be used on 1 of Advaned, Continuous and Circular Hip Twists.