Foot Changes

The Samba Foot Changes are 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.

When figures are danced in Right Shadow Position or Contra Position, it requires Man and Lady use the same foot. Man uses Foot Changes (minimal Bounce) to achieve that, while Lady dance 3 steps to the counts of "1a2".

The following Samba figures can be danced in Right Shadow Position: Samba Walks, Traveling Bota Fogos Fwd, Shadow Traveling Voltas, Rhythm Bounce, Shadow Circular Voltas, Curzados Walks and Locks.

Samba Foot Change 1: Closed Position to R Shadow Position

Man:

  • 1: Replace weight to RF leading Lady to turn L and releasing hold

  • a: Hold position with weight on RF

  • 2: LF diagonally fwd, small step. Take R Shadow hold at end of Lady's turn

    • Alternatively, turn Lady under raised L arm and then change to R Shadow hold

Lady: 1-3 of Spot Volta turning 1/2 L (LRL)

Preceding with any figure ending in Closed Position with weight on LF (Lady RF).

Following with figure commenced with RF.

Samba Foot Change 2: R Shadow To Closed Postion

Man:

  • 1: RF fwd, leading lady to turn R and releasing hold

  • a: Hold position with weight on RF

  • 2: Turn 1/4 R on RF and close LF to RF. Take normal hold at end of Lady's turn

Lady: 1-3 of Spot Volta turning 3/4 R (RLR)

  • 1: RF fwd

    • Man will indicate the turn, starting turning to R

  • a: LF side, slightly back

  • 2: RF cross in front of LF

    • end facing partner, can follow with stationary samba walk.

Preceding with any figure danced in R Shadow Position and ended with weight on LF.

Following with any figure commenced in Closed Position commencing with RF (Lady LF).

Samba Foot Change 3: Promenade or Open Promenade Position to R Shadow Position

Man

  • 1: LF fwd, leading Lady to turn R and releasing hold

  • a: Hold position with weight on LF

  • 2: RF to side and slightly fwd. Take R Shadow hold at end of Lady's turn

    • Alternatively, turn Lady under raised L arm and then change to R Shadow hold.

Lady: 1-2 of Spot Volta turning R, then continue to turn R on LF to end RF to side and slightly fwd, facing DW, having completed 1 1/4 turn.

Normally this is preceded with a Side Samba Walk.

  • 1: RF fwd | Man is going to push Lady's RH away (to R).

  • a: LF fwd, turning to R

    • keep going fwd in same direction, each step is a fwd step.

  • 2: RF fwd, cross in front of LF

    • a full turn between 2&3.

Preceding Figures for Foot Change 3: Promenade or Open Promenade to Right Shadow Position

  1. Criss Cross Bota Fogos (Shadow Bota Fogos)

  2. Criss Cross Voltas

  3. Samba Walk: Side

Following Figures for Foot Change 3: Promenade or Open Promenade to Right Shadow Position

  1. Shadow Circular Volta with LF

  2. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with LF

Samba Foot Change 4: R Shadow Position to Promenade Position

Man

  • 1: RF fwd, small step, leading lady to turn R and releasing hold

  • a: Hold position with weight on RF

  • 2: LF fwd, small step, achieving normal hold in PP

Lady: 1-2 of Spot Volta turning R (RL), then continue to turn R on LF to end RF fwd in PP, completing a full turn.

Preceding: figures danced in R Shadow Position and ended with weight on LF.

Preceding Figures for Foot Change 4: Right Shadow Position to Promenade Position

  1. Cruzados Walks and Locks

  2. Shadow Circular Volta with LF

  3. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with LF

Following Figures for Foot Change 4: Right Shadow Position to Promenade Position

  1. Samba Walk in PP: RF

  2. Samba Walk: Side

Samba Foot Change 5: Promenade Position to R Contra Position

  • This is Gold Level step.

  • Precede with a Bota Fogo to PP (ended Man facing DW, Lady facing DC)

  • Man leads Lady to do Bota Fogo turning 1/4 L (LRL)

  • Man can dance the following, all ending in R Contra Position

    • Point Fwd and Back

      • 1: Point RF fwd in PP w/o weight (Toe)

      • a: Hold position with weight on LF

      • 2: Point RF diagonally back w/o weight (I/E of Toe)

    • Rock Fwd and Back

      • 1: RF fwd in PP

      • a: Hold position with weight on RF

      • 2: Replace weight back to LF

    • Double Rock

      • 1: RF fwd in PP

      • a: Replace LF back, without weight (Toe)

      • 2: Take minimal weight o LF and replace weight fwd to RF

      • a: Replace LF back without weight (Toe).

      • Take minimal weight to LF when taking first step of following figure

    • Flick Ball Change

      • 1: Flick RF fwd in PP, slight off floor

      • a: RF diagonally back without weight (I/E of Toe)

      • 2: Take minimal weight to RF and replace weight fwd to LF

  • Follow all figures with a RF Contra Bota Fogo or Roundabout turning R

Preceding Figures for Foot Change 5: Promenade Postion to Right Contra Position

  1. Bota Fogos To Promenade and Counter Promenade

  2. Traveling Bota Fogos Back

Following Figures Foot Change 5: Promenade Postion to Right Contra Position

  1. Round About

  2. Contra Bota Fogos

Samba Foot Change 6: Right Contra Position to Promenade Position

  • Precede with a LF Contra Bota Fogo ended Man facing DW, Lady facing DC against LOD.

  • Lady: Bota Fogo turning 1/4 R (RLR)

  • Man dance any of the methods in Samba Foot Change 5.

  • Following with a RF Samba Walk in PP or Side Samba Walk making a slight turn L (Lady R) as first step is danced.

Preceding Figures for Foot Change 6: R Contra Position to Promenade Position

  1. Contra Bota Fogos

Following Figures for Foot Change 6: R Contra Position to Promenade Position

  1. Samba Walk in PP: RF

  2. Samba Walk: Side

Samba Foot Change 7: Right Contra Position to Open Counter Promenade Position

  • This is a Gold level figure.

  • Precede with a LF Contra Bota Fogo (ended Man facing DW, Lady facing DC against LOD)

  • Man: 1a2 1a2

    • Two Stationary Samba Walks (RLR LRL) gradually turning 1/4 L to face DC, raising L arm and leading Lady into 1-7 of Criss Cross Voltas behind back.

    • End in Open CPP

  • Lady: 1a2a1a2

    • 1-7 Criss Cross Voltas passing behind Man's back to his L side and curving 1/2 to R to end in Open CPP, facing DW (RLRLRLR)

  • Follow with 4-6 Criss Cross Bota Fogos, 8-14 Criss Cross Voltas, Maypole (Man turning R) or Samba Locks


for Foot Change 7: R Contra Position to Open Counter Promenade Position

Preceding Figures for Foot Change 7: R Contra Position to Open Counter Promenade Position

  1. Contra Bota Fogos

Following Figures for Foot Change 7: R Contra Position to Open Counter Promenade Position

  1. Criss Cross Bota Fogos (Shadow Bota Fogos)

  2. Criss Cross Voltas

Samba Foot Change 8: Right Side Position to Right Shadow Position

  • This is a Silver level figure

  • Man:

    • 1: RF to side, small step. With R hand lead Lady to turn L and to move DC

    • a: Hold position with weight on RF, continuing to turn Lady strongly L then release hold with R hand

    • 2: LF to side and slightly fwd, turning 1/8 L to face DC, taking R shadow hold (L to L hand hold) Place R hand on Lady's back at beginning of this step so Lady may follow the weight change.

  • Lady:

    • 1: LF fwd (1/8 L to face DC)

    • 2: Turning 3/8 L on LF, RF side, backing LOD

    • 3: Turning 5/8 L on RF, LF side and slightly fwd, facing DC

  • Following with a figure commenced with RF

Preceding Figures for Foot Change 8: Right Side Position to Right Shadow Position

  1. Rolling Off The Arm

Following Figures for Foot Change 8: Right Side Position to Right Shadow Position

  1. Cruzados Walks and Locks

  2. Shadow Circular Volta with RF

  3. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with RF