Basic Movements

These are Newcomer Level figures. 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.

Rumba Closed Basic Movements

Closed Position.

Turn: No Turn, 1/8 to 1/4 turn are allowed. 1/8 Turn is described below.

Leader

  • 2: LF fwd

    • Body lift up, Check/settle on "a". Check before switching direction, as late as possible.

  • 3: Transfer weight on RF | 1/8 to L over 2-3

    • On "a", collect LF to closer to RF before stepping to side.

  • 4 1: LF to side and slightly back

    • Hold on 4 1, rotating hips, on "a", collect RF, step back.

  • 2: RF back

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF | 1/8 to L over 5-6

  • 4 1: RF to side

Follower

  • 2: RF back

    • See Latin Technique and Rumba Technique for more details.

    • "Out"- Separate with partner. settle more, but make sure to have forward tone to Man, not pulling Man toward you.

    • Squeeze/compress the side of the standing leg. (R leg at for this.)

    • Twist right side to cause LF to move forward, pendulum hip action diagonally.

  • 3: Transfer weight on LF | 1/8 to L over 2-3

    • Continue pendulum action forward.

    • "In" - close up with Man, really show weight transfer to front of the foot, L hip high (really make sure to dance this fully), Squeeze L side, then twist, simultaneously RF to side.

  • 4 1: RF to side

    • Some coaches say this would be "side and slightly forward, not directly to the side".

    • Feel the energy in upper body.

    • Hip pendulum diagonally forward to R. Squeeze R side.

    • Transfer weight to RF. Twist right side to cause LF fwd.

  • 2: LF fwd

    • Sharp, quick foot movement on previous "&". This is Forward Checked Walk.

    • Hip pendulum diagonally forward to left. Split weight with flat foot, then

    • On &, allow hip to "finish" (Finish all the way with spine over the foot), then twisting to neutral position. Twisting causes R leg knee checking action, with R knee goes to the spot. RF 90 degree arch.

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF | 1/8 to L over 5-6

    • RF ball flat.

    • Hip is laterally to right. Then twist to move LF to side

  • 4 1: LF to side and slightly back

    • R side twist to move L leg to side. L hip will be pendulum diagonally fwd (yes, fwd)

    • Compress into left side, at the same time, RF start moving back (continuing with closed basic.)

Note:

  • One should feel a continuous figure 8 action all the time.

  • Closed Basic Movement may end with taking step 6 in Open CPP, Man turning 1/8 R, Lady 1/8 L, Man release R hand hold.

  • Silver & Gold: Turn 3/8 to L over 4-6 to get to Contact Position.

    • step 3: RF side and slightly fwd. Lady LF behind RF as Cuban Cross.

    • Follow with 4-6 or 4-9 of Reverse Top.

Preceding Figures

  1. Alemana

  2. Basic Movements: Closed

  3. Basic Movements: Open

  4. Cuban Rock LF

  5. Cuban Rocks RF

  6. Cucarachas: LF

  7. Cucarachas: RF

  8. Fencing

  9. Hand To Hand LSP

  10. Hand To Hand RSP

  11. Natural Opening Out Movement

  12. Natural Top

  13. New York LSP

  14. New York RSP

  15. Opening Out To Right And Left

  16. Progressive Walks Back

  17. Progressive Walks Forward

  18. Progressive Walks Forward in LSP

  19. Progressive Walks Forward in RSP

  20. Progressive Walks Forward in Right Shadow Position

  21. Reverse Top

  22. Rope Spinning

  23. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

  24. Shoulder To Shoulder Right Side

  25. Side Step To Left commenced with LF

  26. Side Step To Left commenced with RF

  27. Side Step To Right commenced with LF

  28. Side Step To Right commenced with RF

  29. Spot or Switch Turn to L (Lady to R)

  30. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

  31. Syncopated Cuban Rock LF

  32. Syncopated Cuban Rocks RF

  33. Three Alemanas

  34. Three Threes

  35. Underarm Turn To L

  36. Underarm Turn To R

Following Figures

  1. Reverse Top

  2. Basic Movements: Open (normal; or after 1-3 Closed Basic, follow with 4-6 Open Basic)

  3. Basic Movements: Closed

  4. New York LSP (having turned to Open CPP on last step)

  5. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

  6. Underarm Turn To L

  7. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

  8. Side Step To Left commenced with LF

  9. Side Step To Right commenced with LF

  10. Hand To Hand RSP

  11. Cuban Rock LF

  12. Fan

  13. Syncopated Cuban Rock LF

  14. Spot or Switch Turn to L (Lady to R) (after 1-3 Closed Basic)

  15. Underarm Turn To R (after 1-3 Closed Basic)

  16. Hand To Hand LSP (after 1-3 Closed Basic)

  17. Side Step To Left commenced with RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)

  18. Side Step To Right commenced with RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)

  19. Cuban Rocks RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)

  20. Natural Top (after 1-3 Closed Basic, Man step 3 LF side turning slightly R, Lady RF fwd)

  21. Syncopated Cuban Rocks RF (after 1-3 Closed Basic)

Rumba Open Basic Movements

  • May be danced in Closed or Open Position.

  • Normal hold, L to R hand hold, No hold.

  • Thinking of walking "|" straight vertical line.

  • Man: step 3 is LF back. Step 6: is RF fwd. Lady: opposite.

Preceding Figures

  1. Advanced Hip Twists

  2. Alemana

  3. Basic Movements: Closed

  4. Basic Movements: Open

  5. Closed Hip Twist

  6. Cuban Rock LF

  7. Cuban Rocks RF

  8. Cucarachas: LF

  9. Cucarachas: RF

  10. Curl

  11. Fencing

  12. Hand To Hand LSP

  13. Hand To Hand RSP

  14. Hockey Stick

  15. Natural Opening Out Movement

  16. Natural Top

  17. New York LSP

  18. New York RSP

  19. Open Hip Twist

  20. Opening Out To Right And Left

  21. Progressive Walks Back

  22. Progressive Walks Forward

  23. Progressive Walks Forward in LSP

  24. Progressive Walks Forward in RSP

  25. Progressive Walks Forward in Right Shadow Position

  26. Reverse Top

  27. Rope Spinning

  28. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

  29. Shoulder To Shoulder Right Side

  30. Side Step To Left commenced with LF

  31. Side Step To Left commenced with RF

  32. Side Step To Right commenced with LF

  33. Side Step To Right commenced with RF

  34. Spiral

  35. Spot or Switch Turn to L (Lady to R)

  36. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

  37. Syncopated Cuban Rock LF

  38. Syncopated Cuban Rocks RF

  39. Three Alemanas

  40. Three Threes

  41. Underarm Turn To L

  42. Underarm Turn To R

Following Figures

  1. Basic Movements: Open (when danced in Closed Position)

  2. Basic Movements: Closed (when danced in Closed Position; or after 1-3, follow with 4-6 of Closed Basic, when danced in Closed Position)

  3. Progressive Walks Forward (when danced in Closed Position; or when danced in Open Position)

  4. Fan (when danced in Closed Position)

  5. Alemana (when danced in Open Position, Lady RF back on 1)

  6. Open Hip Twist (when danced in Open Position)

  7. Curl (when danced in Open Position)

  8. Three Threes (when danced in Open Position)

  9. Progressive Walks Back (after 1-3 of Open Basic, when danced in Closed Position; or after 1-3 of Open Basic, when danced in Open Position, L to R hand hold)

  10. Natural Top (after 1-3 Open Basic, Man step 3 LF side turning slightly R, Lady RF fwd, danced in Open Position)

Basic In Place

  • 3 steps are danced in place with feet together.

  • Closed Position, No Turn.

  • This can be danced in place of Closed Basic Movements.

  • See technique details in Rumba Technique

Alternative Basic

  • Closed Position, start with feet apart.

  • Normal hold, L to R hand hold, no hold.

  • Think of walking "--" horizontal line.

  • This can be danced in place of Closed Basic Movements.

  • LF Alternative Basic Movement may end in Open PP, Man turning 1/8 L and Lady 1/8 R on 3. Likewise, RF Alternative Basic may end in Open CPP.

Leader

  • 2: LF closes to RF

    • This is LF Alternative Basic Movement.

  • 3: Transfer weight on RF

  • 4 1: LF to side

  • 2: RF closes to LF

    • This is RF Alternative Basic Movement.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF

  • 4 1: RF to side

Follower

  • 2: RF closes to LF

    • This is LF Alternative Basic Movement.

    • Lady could do normal basic action, allowing body to move back more (pushing LF, try not to think about pulling center or foot back), allow R arm to extend.

    • Still need to have forward energy toward partner.

    • Create more separation from partner.

  • 3: Transfer weight on LF

  • 4 1: RF to side

  • 2: LF closes to RF

    • This is RF Alternative Basic Movement.

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF

  • 4 1: LF to side

Note:

Silver & Gold:

  • may dance this figure as: (may start with the other foot).

    • count 2: close LF to RF without weight but with pressure. slight hip action

    • count 3: hold position with weight on RF. Footwork: flat. Slight hip action.

    • count 4 1: then LF side.

  • Man may dance LF Alternative Basic in place of first 3 steps of any figure commenced in Open Position or Fan position, while leading Lady to dance her normal first 3 steps of figure selected.

    • When commenced in Fan position, step 3 will be very small to keep correct positon in relation to Lady.

  • When Man dances a LF Alternative Basic from Open Position as precede to Natural Top, he turns slightly R on step 3.

    • Lady will dance "close fwd fwd" (RF LF RF)