Natural Roll
Samba Natural Roll
The Samba Natural Roll 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.
This figure starts in Contact Position. No Bounce.
Leader
S: RF fwd, leaning slightly back | 1/8 to R | HF
Knees are slightly more flexed during steps 1-3
Q: LF to side, leaning slightly R | 1/4 to R btwn 1 & 2 | BF
There is a slight foot swivel on LF between steps 2 and 3.
Q: Close RF to LF, preparing to lean fwd | 1/8 to R between 2 and 3 | BF
S: LF back, leaning slightly fwd | 1/8 to R between 3 and 4 | BF
Knees are slightly straighter during steps 4-6
Q: RF to side, leaning slightly L | 3/8 to R between 4 and 5 | BF
Q: Close LF to RF, preparing to lean back | Body completes turn | BF
May be repeated
Follower
S: LF back, leaning slightly fwd | 1/8 to R | BF
Knees are straighter during steps 1-3.
LF stepping back, butt back, body leans forward, keep back and neck flat, head forward following back line, looking over Man's shoulder. Do not turn head in a way that looks too Standard Ballroom dance.
Body action in Natural Roll is more front and back, different from Reverse Roll.
For leaning direction: imagine to keep body in a line, when a foot steps back, to keep body in a line, upper body/head would lean forward, when a foot steps forward, body would lean back. (In reality, body is not a exactly straight line, but the imagery would help to remember which direction the body is leaning.)
Q: RF to side, leaning slightly L | 3/8 to R between steps 1 and 2. Body turns less | BF
Head is slightly behind, felt like looking more up, makes it look like turned to left a bit (but not too much)
Q: Close LF to RF, preparing to lean back | Body completes turn | BF
S: RF fwd, leaning slightly back | 1/8 to R between 3 and 4 | HF
Knees are slightly more flexed during steps 4-6
Knee bent under Man. Hip really forward, Body tilts back.
Head changes on each S. Change head to look "forward", actually because of the tilt, eyes are almost looking at ceiling.
Q: LF to side, leaning slightly R | 1/4 to R between steps 4 and 5 | BF
There is a slight foot swivel on LF between steps 5 and 6.
Q: Close RF to LF, preparing to lean fwd | 1/8 to R between steps 5 and 6 | BF
Notes
Natural Roll may start and finish in various alignments, depending on previous figure.
Less turn may be made (minimum 1/2 over steps 1-6)
The figure is danced in Contact Position, so the arms are held a little higher than normal.
Head follows the line of the spine.
Preceding Figures
Following Figures
Back Rocks (after 1-3 of Natural Roll)
Plait (after 1-3 of Natural Roll)