Three Threes

Rumba Three Threes

Rumba Three Threes is a GOld Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the different variation of the 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

  • 2: LF fwd | No turn

    • Start in Open Position. Slightly extend L arm fwd

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF | --

    • Contract L arm over step 2 and 3 to end with L hand close to L hip.

  • 4 1: Closed LF to RF, slightly back. End in TP | --

    • Brace L arm towards end of step 3, then release hold. Place hands on Lady's shoulders at end of her turn.

  • 2: RF back | --

    • Retain tone in both arms

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF | --

    • Retain tone

  • 4 1: Close RF to LF in TP | --

    • Increase tone, R arm slightly fwd, L arm slightly back, then release hold. Place hands on Lady's shoulder at end of her turn.

  • 2: LF diag. fwd with part weight | Slight body turn to R

    • Retain tone in both arms. Press Line can be danced. (See Advanced Hip Twist)

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF | --

    • Retain tone. Footwork: flat.

  • 4 1: Close LF to RF | Slight body turn to L to normal position

    • Increase tone in L arm, slightly fwd, R arm slightly back, then release hold.

  • 2: RF back | No turn

    • No hold.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF | --

  • 4 1: Close RF to LF. End in Closed Position. | --

    • Take required hold.

Follower

  • 2: RF back | No Turn.

    • Start in Open Position.

    • More rotation, take center really really back, squeeze R side, counter balance with Man. Hand: pull tension with Man, delayed coming toward Man.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF | --

  • 4 1: RF fwd, then turn, closing LF to RF without weight in TP | 1/2 turn to R

    • RF fwd, lady dancing R side more forward to Man, step onto RF, bring weight well fwd onto RF.

    • Start turning shoulder to R, body twisted. At very end of count 1, turn hips, turn on ball of RF, foot flat, pressure on ball of LF.

    • Do not go up, which will lose energy. Try to keep flat, grounded.

  • 2: Transfer weight to LF | No turn

    • 23: in place hip action, figure 8

    • Style option: both knees bent and rotate to left, L hip high.

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF | --

    • rotate to R, R hip high, straightening R leg

  • 4 1: Replace weight to LF, then turn, closing RF to LF slightly back without weight in TP | Full turn to L

    • 4: weight onto LF, L leg straightened, shoulder wind up to R first, before prepping to turn by turning upper body first to L.

    • 1: turn body first, then turn hips, all turns around spine, ending L leg straight, collect R leg, R knee drape over, using upper thigh muscle to stop the turn; Remember to: collect center in, thighs tight, "close the ribs", weight on balls of foot

    • LF flat, pressure on ball of RF.

  • 2: RF diag back with part weight | No turn

    • Often danced as side or side slightly back cucarachas

    • Breathe and do not tense up body, making it look rigid when doing steps faster.

    • Eyes - focus on a spot in each turning direction, with focus, body is more compact

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF | --

    • Foot flat. Squeeze left side, on & collect/brush RF to LF before striking out RF on 4 next.

  • 4 1: RF fwd, then turn with LF trailing behind without weight | 1/2 to R

    • 4: RF forward, dancing R side forward, chest is more diagonal; fully send weight to R hip, continue turning shoulder to R, then finish half turn to R. For this and next few turns, use flexible turn (brush RF to LF) to show off leg movement

    • 1: end of beat, turn on ball of RF, foot flat. Inside edge of toe of LF. hip needs to turn more, finish R hip. R shoulder fwd, it helps to stop the turn. After initiating turn with turning R shoulder, R shoulder more or less stays in place, so R shoulder ends fwd and create counter with settling R hip. Do not over turn R shoulder to R.

  • 2 3 4 1: 3 fwd walks LRL. End in Closed Position | A complete turn to R over these 4 counts.

    • 2: LF fwd Forward Walk Turn, 1/2 turn to R

    • 3: RF swivel, 1/2 to R

    • 41: LF fwd to Man's R side

Note:

  • Lady's alternative steps for steps 10 to 12:

    • 2, 3: Dance 1-2 of Switch Turn to R (1/2 turn). Then, count 41: LF fwd, after having turned another 1/2 to R.

    • No turn on step 9, then turn 1/4 to R into step 1 and 2 of LF Side Cucaracha on count 2 3; then LF fwd. Then, LF fwd after having turned a further 1/4 to R.

  • Finishing Position: Man and lady can step fwd towards partners R side, followed by different Hip Twists.

  • Fan Ending:

    • Man:

      • Step 9 (41): Close LF to RF, 1/8 to L; Increase tone, L arm slighlty fwd. R arm slightly back; then release hold allowing R hand to slide down Lady's R arm to R to R hand hold.

      • 2: RF back, no turn; R arm towards L side, then change to L to R hand hold.

      • 3: Transfer weight to LF, 1/8 to L, over count 3 4 1; increase tone in L arm.

      • 41: RF to side in Fan Position. Slightly extend L arm.

    • Lady:

      • Step 10 -12: dance the finishing steps for Closed Hip Twist to end in Fan Position.

        • 2: LF fwd passing in front of Man's body

        • 3: RF fwd in line with LF, then turn 1/2 to L, body turns less; ending RF back

        • 41: LF back in Fan position, body completes turn.

Preceding Figures

  1. Advanced Hip Twists

  2. Basic Movements: Open

  3. Closed Hip Twist

  4. Curl

  5. Hockey Stick

  6. Open Hip Twist

  7. Progressive Walks Forward

  8. Spiral

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

Following Figures

  1. Basic Movements: Closed

  2. Basic Movements: Open

  3. Fan

  4. Advanced Hip Twists

  5. Continuous Hip Twists

  6. Circular Hip Twists

  7. Alemana (when ending in Fan Position)

  8. Hockey Stick (when ending in Fan Position)

  9. Sliding Doors (when ending in Fan Position)

  10. Fencing (when ending in Fan Position)

  11. Three Alemanas (when ending in Fan Position)