The Chase

Tango The Chase

Tango The Chasse  is a Gold level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; steps diagram; 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

1. S: LF to side in PP | Along LOD pointing DW | H 

2. Q: RF fwd and across in PP and CBMP | Along LOD pointing DW | H | 3/4 to R between steps 2-6 | CBM

3. Q: LF to side and slightly fwd | Facing wall. | IE of BH 

4. Q: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | Almost against LOD | BH | CBM

   • A sharp body turn to R is used on this step.

5. Q:  LF back in CBMP | Almost DW | BH | | CBM

   • See alternative endings after step 5 below.

6. S: RF to side, small step in PP | Facing DC | BH and IE of B of LF 

Follower

1. S: RF to side in PP | Along LOD pointing DC | H

   • Hands are in the middle of the Man and Lady. 

   • Lady's R side project more to Man, think about trying to be parallel, but end up with slight V.

   • Chest leading forward to add the Tango dynamic (not whole upper moving as one block).

2. Q: LF fwd and across in PP and CBMP | Along LOD pointing DC | H | 1/8 to L between steps 2-3. | CBM

   • Going to closed position

3. Q: RF to side and slightly back | Backing Wall | IE of BH | 7/8 to R between steps 3 to 6.  

   • RF toe turned in, small step, not big, not across into Man's space (otherwise Man doesn't have space to move), weight onto RF completely, not in the middle of two feet. 

   • Project R side to Man.

   • After stepping onto RF, back to closed position, no stopping, body/ribcage, right side to Man. 

   • Give center/body to Man, do not lean back, do not break at waist to create more shape. Arms to Man, elbow forward, not back.

   • Then, prepare to rotate to right, R side travel through RF and sit hip down, R hip really relaxed (hip crease, bent) for next step. 

   • Lady could turn 5/8 to R between steps 3-6 to end square to Man.

   • Head styling option: keep head open at this step (but body closes).  Next step sharp closing head.

4. Q: LF back in CBMP | Almost against LOD | BH | CBM

   • Very strong CBM, after rotating at end of previous step (really sit down on R hip, R hip release/bent). LF places right underneath, almost in place, do not try to step cross more. When body turns, LF will end up crossing RF. 

   • LF turned to R, cross behind RF (small step cross back). Turn hips and body to R, continuously. Upper body is very twisted., relax the knees, very cushioned, allowing torso to turn to R, R side is very up to Man, stay connected. Sharp head turn to L. 

   • It's very fast. Place LF quickly after previous step. Got it get there faster.  Then will push off LF.

   • Lady: Make sure not to pull arm backward, quite the opposite, give arm to Man, do even more extension with head, exaggerated accent. 

   • Focus on using rotation to create the shape, do not bend backward from waist attempting to create shape. Torso should not be slanted back. Take chest, ribcage to Man. 

   • While turning to R, pay attention to open up/extend/lengthen left side, in order to keep shoulder flat (otherwise, it's easy to drop left side)

   • Do not loose posture - keep lengthening middle of tummy to chest, do not cave in.

   • No stop, turning and moving continuously, rotating out of L leg.

   • Closing head, sharp.

5. Q: RF fwd, in CBMP, OP | Almost DW | H | CBM

   • R side is very fwd to Man. RF big step fwd around Man. Put spine over RF, so next step won't pull body away.

   • See alternative endings after step 5 below.

   • Stay very very left to Man. The tendency is to shift and get in front of Man.

6. S: LF to side, RF placed to side w/o weight in PP | Backing DC. Ending facing DC against LOD | BH, and IE of B of RF

   • Think about stepping LF  fwd first, it will finish to the step.  If you step LF to side directly, it will take body off Man.

Note:

• Use the legs and head, don't stress out upper body. Don't tense up. Energy comes from legs, not using spine, not from stressed upper body.

• 2 options to dance a series of Chase together:

  • Dancing OP, then OP:

    • SQQ: From PP to close

    • Q: LF back CBMP (Man steps OP)

    • Q: RF fwd in CBMP (Lady steps OP)

    • S:  LF side, stay in Closed Position.

    • &: RF to side slightly back 

    • Q: LF back in CBMP (Man steps OP) (repeat)

  • Dancing OP, then inline

    • SQQ from PP to close

    • Q: LF cross back, OP (Man steps OP)

    • Q: RF fwd, Lady steps inline in between Man's legs

    • S: side slightly back

    • &: RF side slightly back

    • Q: LF cross back, OP (repeat)

Alternative Endings after step 5

(Chase below turns to R, the amount will be according to the alignment of the following steps.)

When finished in Promenade Position, Lady: make sure R side is very much forward and up to Man.

1. Q&QSQQ (or Q&QQQS) Chasse into Whisk, step fwd, ending in PP:

   • Man:

     • Q&Q: Chasse to R, RLR

     • S: cross LF behind RF in PP into Whisk

     • QQ (or &S): RF fwd and across in PP and CBMP, place LF to side in PP w/o weight

   • Lady:

     • Q&Q: Chasse to L, LRL

       • The previous S: more effort, stronger push to get momentum going, next Q&Q is "flight" / pitter patter feet, not pushing every step, (Some coach says modern Tango uses more "flight" across the floor. 

       • Do not allow head to go to right, out of position. Stay very left. 

       • Knees are flexed/compressed throughout, strong base. Keep flat, bottom shouldn't go down or up.

     • S: cross RF behind LF in PP into Whisk. Weight more into RF

     • QQ (or &S): LF fwd and across in PP and CBMP, place RF to side in PP w/o weight (do not move body weight to in between feet, stay behind on back foot). Head flick (if Man leads it). Keep head back. 

2. Q&QSQQ (or Q&QQQS) Chasse into Whisk, Promenade Link ending in closed position:

   • Man:

     • Q&Q: Chasse to R, RLR

     • S: cross LF behind RF in PP into Whisk

     • QQ: RF fwd and across in PP and CBMP, place LF to side in PP w/o weight, close Lady up.

   • Lady:

     • Q&Q: Chasse to L, LRL

     • S: cross RF behind LF in PP into Whisk

     • QQ: LF fwd and across in PP and CBMP, turn to L to close up with Man, place RF to side in PP w/o weight

3. Q&QS&S Chase into Whisk, close feet then to PP

   • Man:

     • Q&Q: Chasse to R, RLR

     • S: cross LF behind RF in PP into Whisk

     • &S: close RF to LF and place LF to side in PP w/o weight

   • Lady:

     • Q&Q: Chasse to L, LRL

     • S: RF cross back behind LF in Whisk position, keep right side up, don't drop right side.

     • &: LF comes back to close to RF slightly back, head sharply to left

     • S: RF to side w/o weight in PP, head to PP position.

4. Q&QQQ Chase and Progressive Link

   • Q&Q: Chase Man RLR, Lady LRL; followed by:

   • QQ: Progressive Link

Preceding Figures

1. Fallaway Promenade

2. Progressive Link

Following Figures

1. Closed Promenade (when ended in PP)

2. Open Promenade (when ended in PP)

3. Natural Promenade Turn (when ended in PP)

4. Promenade Link (when ended in PP)

5. Back Open Promenade (when ended in PP)

6. Fallaway Promenade (when ended in PP)

7. Progressive Link (when ended inline)