Samba Locks

Samba Locks

The Samba 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.

This figure starts in Open Counter Promenade Position. No Bounce.

Leader

• Q: RF fwd, part weight, Toe turned out | 1/8 to R on LF. Body and RF turn more | BF

  • Extend joined arms fwd down below shoulder level

• Q: LF behind RF (Cuban Cross) | No turn | T

  • Weight change, retaining arm position

• S: RF fwd, small step. Toe turned out | No turn | BF

• Q: LF fwd, part weight, in Open CPP. Toe turned out | 1/8 to L on RF. body and LF turn more | BF

  • Extend joined arms back

• Q: RF behind LF in Open CPP (Cuban Cross) | No turn | T

  • Weight change, retaining arm position

• S: LF fwd, small step, in Open CPP. Toe turned out | No turn | BF

• QQS QQS: Repeat steps 1-6, end in Open CPP

Follower

• Q: LF fwd, part weight, Toe turned out | 1/8 to L on RF. Body and LF turn more | BF

  • The whole figure: Use hips more, circular figure 8, smooth hip movement. Do not stop, continuous movement. Body soft.

  • Turn is made at end of previous beat.

  • Turn out of front foot does not constitute an amount of turn.

  • L hip diagonally fwd, maximum and then rotate

• Q: RF behind LF (Cuban Cross) | No turn | T

  • 2 bent knees, before pushing back foot to move front leg forward again. Continuous figure 8

  • R hip still has a small figure 8, rotate to R back.

  • At end of beat, starting straightening R leg, articulate LF, LF points down and lead with ankle, L knee fwd first, and then strike LF out on S.

• S: LF fwd, small step. Toe turned out | No turn | BF

  • Straight L leg. BF, heel down. (in order to really finish the hip up and forward movement).

  • Push L hip even a bit more (to side/diagonally up) right before swiveling to change direction., one round of figure 8 hip.

  • Do not move upper body and hip as one block. upper body moved first while hip is still going out. More isolation and more opposite stretching.

• Q: RF fwd, part weight, in Open CPP. Toe turned out | 1/8 to R on LF. body and RF turn more | BF

  • Turn is made at end of previous beat.

• Q: LF behind RF in Open CPP (Cuban Cross) | No turn | T

• S: RF fwd, small step, in Open CPP. Toe turned out | No turn | BF

• QQS QQS" Repeat steps 1-6, end in Open CPP

  • For step 7 and 12. See notes for step 1 and 4.

Notes:

• Articulate the legs and feet. Also have more isolation of upper body and hips, not one big piece. Hips move more.

• Man and Lady: free arm is extended to side, just below shoulder level to match partner's arm line.

Preceding Figures

1. Criss Cross Bota Fogos (Shadow Bota Fogos)

2. Criss Cross Voltas

3. Maypole

4. Natural Basic Movement

5. Reverse Basic Movement

6. Side Basic Movement

7. Three Step Turn

Following Figures

1. Criss Cross Bota Fogos (Shadow Bota Fogos)

2. Criss Cross Voltas (start from step 4 or 8)

3. Maypole (Man turning R)

4. Solo Spot Volta to Right (Lady to Left) (Lady turning L)