Lateral

The lateral gives width to your dance, it can be considered a kind of second basic since so many moves branch out from the lateral. It’s a versatile movement that opens up possibilities for entries into turns and other patterns.

Overview

Follower’s Lateral

Follower’s lateral is actually also an extension of the ViradinhaViradinhaThe 'little turn' that allows you to enter into a side-by-side step with your partner type movement where the follow turns back on themselves via a 180 degree Compass StepCompass StepThe fundamental footwork mechanic of stepping and pivoting on the ball of the foot to change direction., traveling back and forth in a line. The hips generally stay in the direction of travel, but the chest rotates to face the lead. This involves torsion and quite a bit of contra-body movement. This can be a little difficult at first but once you get used to it it feels quite natural.

Leader’s Lateral

Leaders lateral steps to the side, stepping out with the left first, then the right goes in front of it. Be careful not to step outside. Keep your chest orientation towards your follow as well.

Combined

While the lead steps side-to-side along their line, the follow steps back-and-forth along their line, turning 180 degrees every time they reach their Control StepControl StepA step that absorbs and redirects energy with energy on the ball of the foot. Part of Stepping.

Lateral

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Feet Hips Chest Line

Lateral

Lateral Videos

Entries

Entry from Lateral

Entering and exiting the lateral can be done in a number of ways. One simple one is basic from ViradinhaViradinhaThe 'little turn' that allows you to enter into a side-by-side step with your partner.

Upon finishing the Red PhaseRed PhaseThe first 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent odd phase. Part of Music & Rhythm of ViradinhaViradinhaThe 'little turn' that allows you to enter into a side-by-side step with your partner, the follow is actually already in the lateral position. The lead can simply step on the spot for the duration of the boom chick chick of the Blue PhaseBlue PhaseThe second 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent even phase. Part of Music & Rhythm, leaving the follow to walk away from the lead.

The TorsionTorsionHow the twist of the body communicates movement in Zouk. created by keeping the hand hold connection will propose to the follow to turn around again at the end of the Blue PhaseBlue PhaseThe second 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent even phase. Part of Music & Rhythm. On the next Red PhaseRed PhaseThe first 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent odd phase. Part of Music & Rhythm, the lead can begin the lateral step.

Entry using Elasticity

Another option to enter into lateral is to use ElasticityElasticityThe stretch and recoil in the connection, creating and releasing tension to generate movement.. At the end of the Red PhaseRed PhaseThe first 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent odd phase. Part of Music & Rhythm of the Basic Back and ForthBasic Back and ForthAdding forward-and-back to the basic step pattern., the lead can stay more-or-less in place, the follow will continue their step backwards finishing their Blue PhaseBlue PhaseThe second 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent even phase. Part of Music & Rhythm of the basic. This creates distance between the follow and lead. This distance also creates energy. The lead can then step to the side, directly into the Red PhaseRed PhaseThe first 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent odd phase. Part of Music & Rhythm of lateral.

Exits

Exit into Basic

The easiest and simplest way to step back into Basic Back and ForthBasic Back and ForthAdding forward-and-back to the basic step pattern. a matter of timing. During the Blue PhaseBlue PhaseThe second 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent even phase. Part of Music & Rhythm of lateral, the lead can step into the line of the follow, in such a way that as the follow turns around at the end the Blue PhaseBlue PhaseThe second 'boom chick chick' in the music, and every subsequent even phase. Part of Music & Rhythm of lateral, the follow is facing the lead. At this point, the footwork is nearly identical to the beginning of Basic Back and ForthBasic Back and ForthAdding forward-and-back to the basic step pattern..