Ballroom Dances‎ > ‎International Style‎ > ‎Samba‎ > ‎

Traveling Bota Fogos Forward

Samba Traveling Bota Fogos Forward

The Samba Traveling Bota Fogos Forward is Newcomer Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, and movement, technique; 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

Leader and Follower's technique for forward Bota Fogos are the same.
Step Timing Movement
Turn
  Footwork Notes
1
 1
 RF fwd in CBMP, OP, Facing DC No turn BF Lead with a weight change. Use bounce action.

When practicing, keep arms down to the side naturally (upper arm vertical, not whole arm horizontal to side), feel the movement more.

Starting position: R leg back, R hip high, compress R side to create higher R hip, R hip rotated. L knee bent, LF flat, pay attention to ankle, leg line.

End of previous beat:
  • "&": pendulum action diagonal forward. bounce. 
    • Hip has both the diagonal pendulum action, as well as rotating action and tummy compress.
    • To create bigger movement: extra rotation on R hip to back, RF turns out more, push hip diagonally fwd to maximum, making L hip finish more diagonally high, before twisting L hip. bending front knee more, 
    • Hip changes from R hip high in back to neutral, collect R leg underneath the body. then hip rotates to L more 
  • "a": Prep foot: twist L hip to back, swivel LF, hip rotation sends RF forward (R leg straight), emphasize hip rotation. At this moment, both legs straight, both heels up. Dancing R side fwd. Compress left side.
  • "1": Slide RF even more fwd, then bend R knee (bend more for more pronounced bigger hip movement); back leg straight. leg line.  Point back foot.
    • The heel of RF (the front foot) should touch floor. Grounded look, not light, floating look.
  • "&": pendulum action forward, raise the heel of front foot, it is not flat-footed movement.
2 a
 LF to side without weight. Toe pointing DC. Body facing LOD. 1/4 to R over 2 & 3 Pressure on IE of T Retain tone in arms.

"a": hip rotation to send LF forward, in the same direction as the motion (not to the side), place partial weight (leg stays straight), then turn 90 degrees. After turning, the previous step would be like a side step.

On this "a": try to finish the hip L hip even more.

Pay attention to direction of body. Quarter turn each time.  Don't just turn hip and keep body forward LOD. Body should be either facing DC or DW,
3
 2
 Take minimal weight to LF and replace weight to RF. Facing DW
BF Lead with weight change, RF flat, heel down.

Trailing foot -  turned out, create leg line - very important.
4
 1
 LF fwd in CBMP, OP on L side. Facing DW. No turn BF Lead with weight change
5
 a
 RF to side without weight. Toe pointing DW. Body facing LOD 1/4 to L over 5&6 Presure on IE of T Retain tone in arms
6
 2
 Take minimal weight to RF, and replace weight to LF. Facing DC
BF Lead with weight change

Follower

When Leader is doing Traveling Bota Fogos Forward, Follower is doing Traveling Bota Fogos Back.

Step Timing Movement
Turn
  Footwork Notes
1
 1
 LF back in CBMP. Backing DC No turn BF
2
 a
 RF to side without weight. RF backing DW. Body backing LOD 1/4 turn to right over 2&3 Pressure on I/E of Toe
3
 2
 Take minimal weight to RF and replace weight to LF. Backing DW
BF
4
 1
 RF back in CBMP. Backing DW. No Turn  BF
5
 a
 LF to side without weight. RF backing DC. Body backing LOD 1/4 turn to L over 5&6 Pressure on I/E of T
6
 2
 Take minimal weight to LF and replace weight to RF. Backing DC
BF

Notes:
  • Lead for changing from Bota Fogos to Voltas is very subtle - lower the hand.
    • Lady assumes continuing with Bota Fogo, use visual and hand lead and finish to volta, if she senses more turn and man is going to the same direction.
  • Can be danced on same foot as partner when in R Shadow Position.
    • Same foot Bota Fogo commenced with LF may be turned 1/8 or 1/4 to L, leading Lady to turn strongly to L towards end of step 1, then releasing hold (Lady turn 5/8 or 3/4 to L). End in R Contra Position taking normal hold.
    • Similar (opposite) for Bota Fogo commenced with RF.