Compass Step

Although you can technically turn on other steps, turning on the Control StepControl StepA step that absorbs and redirects energy with energy on the ball of the foot. Part of Stepping makes the most sense. This is because the control step is where we, not surprisingly, have energy to use and can redirect it, and so it’s the most natural place to turn.

The compass step is a frequently used pattern of movement found in many zouk moves. It’s a way of stepping and pivoting on the ball of the foot to change direction.

How to do a compass step

Normally it is led via TorsionTorsionHow the twist of the body communicates movement in Zouk. but not necessarily. When the upper body has torsion applied it it at the control step, the torsional energy is released while the weight is on the control step. It is important that the hips and legs “lock” together while the torsion is being released, allowing Ground StepGround StepA step that anchors you back into the floor with energy distributed across the whole foot. Part of Stepping to find a different location.

When the weight is on the Control StepControl StepA step that absorbs and redirects energy with energy on the ball of the foot. Part of Stepping and there is torsion, that torsion can “unwind” in the control step basically treating it as a pivot point. Below you can see the different kind of pivots that can be made. Feel free to play around with the angle slider.

This animation shows the possibilities of the compass step when the Control StepControl StepA step that absorbs and redirects energy with energy on the ball of the foot. Part of Stepping is in front of the Ground StepGround StepA step that anchors you back into the floor with energy distributed across the whole foot. Part of Stepping. However the compass step can also be applied on the back foot when doing the control step. The animation for this will be added later.