Basic Back and Forth

Once we have the Basic on the SpotBasic on the SpotThe foundational step pattern danced in place. down, we can begin to add some movement. The basic back and forth follows the same weight transfer philosophy we went over in SteppingSteppingThe basics of weight transfer and foot placement — how to step with intention and control. involving weight transfer.

The secret to a beautiful basic back-and-forth is understanding that on the downbeat, which when the booms are, we are beginning the weight transfer the boom foot by pushing off the ground step, not arriving. This is what gives room for the breathiness and flow of zouk.

Let’s take a look again at the Red PhaseRed PhaseThe first 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent odd phase. Part of Music & Rhythm, which corresponds to the 1 in rhythm timing. The lead is about to move back, and the follow being to move forward.

To prepare, our weight on the Blue FootBlue FootLead's right and follow's left - the first foot that moves in the boom of the second half basic. Part of Stepping, we SunkSinkA lower level achieved by bending the knees, often used in conjunction with premovement. Part of Levels and did our PremovementPremovementExtending your foot out to a spot before shifting your weight to it. - our Red FootRed FootLead's left and follow's right - the first foot that moves in the boom of the first half basic. Part of Stepping extended out in the direction of travel, which is backwards (left leg) for the lead and forwards (right leg) for the follow.

From this position, when the boom strikes, we begin to shift weight to the Red FootRed FootLead's left and follow's right - the first foot that moves in the boom of the first half basic. Part of Stepping by pushing off the grounding blue foot, we glide over in the middle of the full boom beat, passing through gracefully the moment where our weight is on the Red FootRed FootLead's left and follow's right - the first foot that moves in the boom of the first half basic. Part of Stepping, and then arriving after that full beat with our weight on the Blue FootBlue FootLead's right and follow's left - the first foot that moves in the boom of the second half basic. Part of Stepping, which corresponds to the Control StepControl StepA step that absorbs and redirects energy with energy on the ball of the foot. Part of Stepping - the first chick.

After landing with our first chick, we absorb that energy and redirect it back to the Red FootRed FootLead's left and follow's right - the first foot that moves in the boom of the first half basic. Part of Stepping, where we SinkSinkA lower level achieved by bending the knees, often used in conjunction with premovement. Part of Levels into our Ground StepGround StepA step that anchors you back into the floor with energy distributed across the whole foot. Part of Stepping - the second chick.

Now, the whole process is inversed. We are in the Blue PhaseBlue PhaseThe second 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent even phase. Part of Music & Rhythm. It’s exactly the same thing with roles inversed - follow stepping back and lead stepping forward.

Leader’s Basic

Take a look at this visualisation and take especially note of differentiating stepping versus weight transfer. Note how the weight transfer in the boom phase occurs have way through the boom beat.