Cruzados Walks and Locks

Samba Cruzados Walks and Locks

The Samba Cruzados Walks and Locks is a Gold 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.

The figures are danced in Right Shadow Position, Man and Lady using the same foot.

Cruzados Walks

Leader and Follower

• a: Using pressure through ball of LF release L heel and start to straighten knees, moving RF fwd on toe until it is level with LF, at the same time moving pelvis slightly fwd.

  • Prepping action is similar to botofogo.

  • Starting position: R leg behind, R hip high

  • Compress L side, push L hip diagonally fwd, collect R leg under hip, two bent knees, heels up, then continue to rotate L hip back, prep RF fwd.

  • R side fwd, L hip back, feeling stretched diagonally, stable. two straight legs, before moving weight into RF on S, next.

• S: Continue to straighten knees moving RF fwd on ball of foot (step straight fwd, do not cross LF), slide the foot into the heel, (not from top down drop to heel) arriving at top of the bounce with R heel lightly in contact with floor. Weight central, both legs straight but not braced.

  • Finish the hip behind (rotate more) and bent front knee more (knee going forward) for fuller and bigger movement.

  • Absorb the weight into RF/R knee, ribs more forward (not pelvis more fwd).

  • End with L hip high, leg line.

• &: Transfer weight fwd to RF flexing knee, arriving at the lowest point of the bounce. Allow the back foot and leg to turn out, completing a rotational hip movement. Return pelvis to normal position. Retain tone in back leg with pressure on inside edge of toe.

  • Repeat with LF.

  • Hips move continuously, don't stop.

  • Need to have body action as well.

Note:

• Body shape: K, upper chest forward, hip back.

• When collecting legs, bring thighs together, no light through thighs (e.g. when doing the locks, and when legs are passing)

• When collecting legs, pick up the standing heel release back leg, and collect thighs together, hips neutral.

• When stepping forward, don't go up and then down (too much rise). Focus on body moving forward.

• Front foot slide into heel. Getting weight onto front foot faster with heel down, finishing forward and land in K position to give plenty of time to work back hip.

• When stepping forward, do not cross foot when doing Walks, keep 2 lines. Cross foot only for Locks.

• Don't go too low with the front knee (which hurts knee in long run).

• Open the back hip to maximum, finishing feet and rotation before collecting. Opening one hip doesn't mean it will affect the placement of the other leg (should go straight fwd and not across foot).

• Chest fwd, don't go down. Chest and hip are stretch opposite.

• Two or four Cruzados Walks may precede or follow Cruzados Locks.

• Cruzado Walks are the only SQQ timing that has bounce action.

  • The bounce action in Cruzado walk (one high hip and one low hip) is different from normal Samba bounce (hip/pelvis fwd on whole count)

Cruzados Locks

The foot positions and timing are the same as Samba Locks although the font toe is not turned out. There is no turn and they may start with either foot.

The Cruzados action on the Locks: (Example: start with LF in front.)

• a: Using pressure through ball of LF release L heel, moving RF fwd on toe until it is level with LF, at the same time moving pelvis slightly fwd. Collect R knee together with L knee. Thighs together, knees together, no light through. Start straightening L knee.

• Q: Continue to straighten knees moving RF fwd on ball of foot, arriving at top of the bounce with R heel lightly in contact with floor. Weight central, both legs straight but not braced. (Can cross foot a little.)

• Q: Transfer weight fwd to RF flexing knee, at the same time placing LF behind RF (Cuban Cross) arriving at lowest point of the bounce. Thighs tight together, no light through the thighs.

• S: Using pressure through ball of LF start to straighten knees and move RF slightly fwd on ball of foot, arriving at the top of the bounce with R heel lightly in contact with floor. Weight central, both legs straight but not braced. (Uncross foot)

• &: Transfer weight fwd to RF flexing knee, arriving at the lowest point of the bounce. Allow the back foot and leg to turn out, completing a rotational hip movement. Return pelvis to normal position. Retain tone in back leg with pressure on inside edge of toe.

  • Repeat starting with LF.

Notes:

• • Hold may be released, adjusting to Right Side Position.

  • Cruzados Walks and Locks are normally danced facing LOD from a Foot Change to R Shadow Position (Foot Change # 1 or 8) or any figure that may be danced in R Shadow Position.

Preceding Figures

1. Foot Change 1: Closed Position to Right Shadow Position

2. Foot Change 8: Right Side Position to Right Shadow Position

3. Maypole

4. Natural Basic Movement

5. Reverse Basic Movement

6. Shadow Circular Volta with LF

7. Shadow Circular Volta with RF

8. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with LF

9. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with RF

10. Side Basic Movement

Following Figures

1. Shadow Circular Volta with LF (when ended with weight on RF)

2. Shadow Circular Volta with RF (when ended with weight on LF)

3. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with LF (When Cruzado Walks or Locks end with weight on RF)

4. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with RF (When Cruzado Walks or Locks end with weight on LF)

5. Foot Change 2: Right Shadow Position To Closed Position

6. Foot Change 4: Right Shadow Position to Promenade Position