Hockey Stick
Cha Cha Cha Hockey Stick
The Cha Cha Hockey Stick is a Bronze 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
Start in Fan Position.
2: LF fwd
3: Transfer weight to RF
4 & 1: Compact Chasse LRL
The hand goes up on 1, but remains to the right side of the lady.
Alternative: Ronde Chasse.
2: RF behind LF (Cuban Cross) | 1/8 to R
3: LF fwd small step
On 3, the hand is brought across the lady's face, causing her to turn 1/8. On the & after 3, the lady is turned a half-turn.
4 & 1: Fwd Lock in Open Position RLR
Follower
2: Close RF to LF | No turn
Start with good posture, neck back, don't stick head forward.
End of previous measure, "&": L hip twist to back, wind up the hip, which brings RF close to LF. (do not step back)
"2", pendulum diagonally forward on right side.
"&": twist hip to the right, fast sharp knee switch before striking LF fwd on 3. LF knee drapes over R knee.
Sharpness: torque - continuous. once the hip is flat, there is no sharpness.
Arm: draw in L arm across the body.
3: LF fwd | No turn
Small step.
Arm: L arm starts going out. Could keep it on the hip.
4 & 1: Fwd Lock RLR | No turn
Keep going straight, in front of Man, don't veer off to left.
Small steps, on't go too far, create arm window, R hand on left shoulder, make sure both shoulders down, don't raise shoulders.
Difference from Alemana: R hand directly comes up and then place it on Lady's left shoulder.
Alternative - do checked chasse instead of forward lock:
4: RF fwd
&: check: make sure it has 50% weight, do not put all weight on front foot
1: RF closes to LF, twist hip
2: LF fwd | 1/8 to L
Step straight first, then turn 1/8 to L on this step, so next step is diagonal fwd (making it a hockey stick).
Man's arm should be in front of Lady's face, or already over on Lady's L shoulder. (Lady can help putting his arm on her L shoulder.)
3: RF fwd in line with LF, then turn underarm to end RF back | 1/2 to L, body turns less
Forward Walk Turn technique.
End of beat "3&": Do flexible turn - turn upper body first (leaving head and foot where it is), then sharp turn head and hips.
After turning, weight is more forward (chest forward, not not leaning body forward which is too much, suck tummy). Don't be back weighted. Use front LF to push the floor and release to step back.
4 & 1: Back Lock in Open Position LRL | body completes turn
Spine moves straight back, do not veer off to left side.
Give the Man tone in the arm. (extend the arm)
Man/Lady together is not on same line as started, turned 1/8, that's why it's a hockey stick.
Notes:
Other Finishing positions:
Open CPP
Man leads Lady to overturn towards end of 7, both taking 8 diagonally fwd in Open CPP to chasse.
Lady turns an additional 1/4 L on RF using a loosely crossed spiral action.
Left Side Position (LSP)
Man leads Lady to overturn towards end of 7, then turns 1/8 R to chasse fwd, lowering L arm and taking it fwd to below shoulder level.
Lady turns towards end of 7 as for CPP above, then turns an additional 1/8 L, to chasse fwd
Forward Runs could be used in place of last chasse
Preceding Figures
Following Figures
Open Basic Movement (normal; or 1-2 Open Basic into Three Cha Cha Chas Back; or 1-5 Open Basic into Natural Top)
Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (from steps 1-7, in Open Position; or 4-9, LSP)
New York LSP (in Open CPP; or no turn on first step when ending LSP)
Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L) (in Open CPP; or when ending LSP)
Underarm Turn to L (in Open CPP)
Cuban Break LF (when ending LSP, retaining LSP)
Split Cuban Break LF (when ending LSP)