BALBOA STEPS ============ INTRODUCTION ------------ These definitions are for the LEADER's part of BALBOA. Compiled by: Vic & Debbie Ceder P.O. Box 841 Los Olivos, CA. 93441-0841 www.ceder.net GENERAL COMMENTS ---------------- Keep steps small & slide feet on the floor. On the basic, feet continually point forward. Do not turn them to the side. Body position is at an angle. We should be touching, she should be in close. Hold the follower in tight USING MY FOREARM not my hand. Do all movements using the same (low) amount of energy. For example, the amount of energy in a Throw Out should be the same as in a Basic. Keep the upper body relatively quiet. Transition from Balboa to Swing ------------------------------- After holding on R-foot (beat 7), Step(R), then start a Swing basic beginning with Rock-Step. Be sure to open up the follower on Rock-Step. Transition from Swing to Balboa ------------------------------- After doing a Swing basic in dance position, do a Balboa basic starting with a Rock-Step-Hold (pull the follower in tight). 'Maxi Dorf' (sp) taught J&S. Balboa Basic #1 =============== From dance position. 1: Step L-foot backward; 2: Step R-foot backward; 3: Hold (slide L-foot forward, NO WEIGHT); 4: Step L-foot forward; (slide L-foot to the middle & step on it) 5: Step R-foot forward; 6: Step L-foot forward; 7: Hold (slide R-foot backward, NO WEIGHT); 8: Step R-foot backward; (slide R-foot to the middle & step on it) To begin a Balboa Basic (from dance position): Replace 1-2 with Rock(L)-Step(R). On 1, push the follower away, forcing her to do a Rock-Step. On 3, hold the follower in tight so that she cannot move. Holds are on beats 3 and 7. All steps should be done by sliding the feet upon the floor. Stand up straight when doing the basic, don't hunch over. Balboa Basic #2 (Foot Fan Basic) =============== From dance position. Same as Basic #1 but instead of (7) R-foot back & (8) hold, do a (R)-toe back (weight on it) and then (R) heel. When doing the heel, fan the L-foot to the left keeping the L-Heel in place. Then (1) step BACKWARD on L-foot Cue: Step-Step-Hold Step-Step-Step-Foot-Fan Keep feet close together! Keep ankles parallel except on 8 (L-Heel) when only the L-foot turns out. Make sure the R-foot doesn't move when the L-foot does a Heel. When rolling back on the R-Heel, leave the heel of the L-foot down, then just twist the L-foot. Balboa Basic #3 (Triple Step Basic) --------------- From dance position. 1-2: (Rock)Step-Step (as in basic); 3-And-4: Triple Step (little shuffle step in place, with the L-foot slightly forward); 5-6: Step-Step: ("Chug-Chug" by digging in with the balls of the feet) 7-8: Toe-Heel (Foot Fan); Keep SLIDING. Relax and the sandpaper effect will eventually cease. Keep my feet underneath myself. Don't lift the feet from the floor. On 3-And-4 and 5-6, move forward slightly. When done properly, your partner should be unaware that you're doing this basic. Keep the upper body still. Behind The Back Hand Change [28-JAN-93] --------------------------- 1-2-3-Pull [Throw Out Spin] 1-2-3-Hold Trail my R-H on the follower's body. On 3, come down with thumb & forefinger of R-H on follower's arm (anywhere between wrist & elbow). On 4, Hold (lean slightly to the Left) while Changing (my) hands behind the follower's back. 5-6-7-8 ("Cross-Together-Slide-Pull") (On 5-6-7, I step sideways to my Left as the follower unwinds behind me.) On 5, Cross R-foot behind L; On 6, Step together; On 7, Slide feet apart; On 8, Hold but pull the follower directly behind me (not out to the side) such that she goes behind me. Then, 1: Hold, don't do anything. 2: Clap hands 3: Step on L-foot, turning slightly to the Left while bringing the feet together. Pivot on R-foot. 4: Step on R-foot; 5: Step on L-foot; 6: Hold; 7: Step on R-foot; 8: Step on L-foot; 1: Hold; We are now doing "Balboa Basic"s but holding on 1 and 5!!! To get back into holding on 3 and 7, do a Throw Out DOUBLE Under Arm. Come Around =========== From Crossover Position (Leader's R-foot forward): Rock(L)-Step-Step-Hold (to face her) On Rock, step back & slightly to the Left; On (1st) Step, pivot on the R-foot to face the follower, pointing R-toe at the follower & square up to her; On (2nd) Step, sidestep slightly to the Left, pulling the follower into me. On Hold, lean slightly to the Left (Followers lean Right). This is away from the kicked foot. Be sure to Hold for the entire count. Note that 'Hold' means don't make a weight change; it does not mean Freeze, hence you can still pivot if you have momentum. Go no more than 90 degrees (just enough to square off). The first two steps should basically be in place to turn to face the follower. Do not crossover one foot over another (i.e., NO R-foot in front of L-foot). The movement following the Come Around determines if we should be in tight or if we should be far apart: If followed by KICKS IN AND OUT or by BALBOA BASIC, we should be close together. If followed by THROW OUT or by CROSS OVER, we should be far apart. Getout (back to Balboa Basic): Step-Step-Hold [Come Around] pulling the follower in tight on the "Step-Step"; then start a basic by backing up with the right foot (beat 8 of a basic). Getout (to Cross Over): Step-Step-Hold [Come Around] but stay far apart; Step-Step-Forward-Hold: On 1st Step, step behind with the R-foot (this helps us stay far apart); On 2nd Step, Step on L-foot; On Forward, pull the follower to my R-side as I step forward on my R-foot (as in Cross Over); On Hold, Hold (as in Cross Over); Continue as in Cross Over ... Cross Over ========== 1-2: (according to Jonathan & Sylvia): 1: Slide L-foot backward. 2: Slide R-foot to the L-foot. (according to Dennis): 1: Rock (L-foot BEHIND RIGHT). Really take a step backward but remain in body contact (chest-to-chest). Leaders will have both feet behind them. 2: Cross R-foot in front of the L-foot. 3: Kick Kick L-foot to the Left, toe pointed to the Left. 4: Cross Slide L-foot (toe still pointing to the Left) in front of the R-foot & put weight over it (lunge foward so that the follower is pushed backward). Place my upper body over my forward foot in order to push the follower backward. Hold. (This first hold is forward and to my Left) then, several (usually 3) Back-Together-Forward-Hold. Back: Step back at 45 degrees on the free foot; Together: Step with the other foot next to it; Forward: Pull the follower forward & to the side while stepping forward with the next foot at the apex of the "V", pulling the follower to the appropriate side. Point the toe of the forward foot straight ahead. Hold: Hold. The forward foot should be pointing toward the follower. then repeat starting with the other foot. Keep your hips facing your partner. The pattern for this step is a "V" where the apex is the forward position. Leader crosses his feet when going forward, follower doesn't cross her feet (she uses the outside foot). To get out: when the R foot is Held (forward), start a Balboa Basic by doing a Rock(L)-Step-Hold. Alternately, do a Come Around. "Cruise Forward" (Forward Basics) ================ When doing a balboa basic: Rock-Step-Hold-Step-Step-Step-Step-Step... (insert as many steps as desired (number of steps inserted should be multiple of 2)). Leader moves forward as follower moves backward. Hangman (Shuffle Steps) ------- **** incomplete **** Do 1/2 of a basic but ON THE 4-TH BEAT step forward on L-foot (with R-foot back). Then, 5: Step Center on R (with L foot forward) 6: L 7: R 8: L 1: R 2: L 3: R 4: L 5: R 6: L 7: Toe (R) 8: Heel (R) To get out: Do an Open Break (Rock-Step-Hold...). Hand To Hand (14-JAN-93) ============ Verbal cue: "Hand". From Throw Out position: R-L-R-Heel(L): On 1 (1st R), pull her with L-H, On 3 (2nd R), grab her with R-H. L-R-L-Heel(R): On 1 (1st L), push her with R-H, On 3 (2nd L), grab her with L-H. The leader is ALSO supposed to move back & forth! Repeat as many times as desired. Get out from Throw Out position by finishing a Throw Out. The leader alternates hands, the follower always uses the R-H! The leader should have tension in his hands. The L-H is used to pull the follower & the R-H is used primarily for the follower to push off from. Left And Right *7 -------------- Do 1/2 of a basic. Then, (changing weight on EACH step except for the 'Hold's): 1: RIGHT forward (count as 1) 2: LEFT to the side 3: RIGHT back (count as 2) 4: LEFT to the side 5: RIGHT forward (count as 3) 6: LEFT to the side 7: RIGHT back (count as 4) 8: Hold 1: LEFT back (count as 1) 2: RIGHT to the side 3: LEFT forward (count as 2) 4: RIGHT to the side 5: LEFT forward (count as 3) 6: RIGHT to the side 7: LEFT back (count as 4) 8: Hold Then do the last 1/2 of a basic by going forward on the Right foot (Step-Step-Hold...) 1/2 Basic; Forward with R-foot...; Hold on R-foot; Back with L-foot...; Finish Basic (R-foot forward); *** Is there a body-angle leading cue? *** Kicks In And Out ================ From Cross Over position: Rock(L)-Step-Step-Hold (to face her) [Come Around] (we should be close together here) Step(R)-Step(L) (on 1st step, R behind L) Then repeat the following: Kick(R)-Step(R) On Kick, Kick R-foot forward while opening up the follower with my R-H; On Step, Step forward on R-foot, moving in a circle around the follower; Touch(L)-Step(L) On Touch, do a Tuck with the L-foot. Pull the follower inward for a Tuck as in Lindy Swing. On Step, step L-foot to the side, moving in a circle around the follower. Be sure to transfer weight to the L-foot! To get out: ... Touch(L) Rock(L) (let go with R-H, Step backwards, and extend my L-H straight) Then finish the Spin part of a Throw Out Spin. The follower is the pivot point (center of the circle): the leader must move around her. Kicks should be kept close to the ground. Force the follower to turn in & out! Paddle Turn (1/2 Paddle Turns To Open Break) ----------- Do 1/2 of a Paddle Wheel then Rock-Step-Hold... Paddle Wheel *7 ------------ From (Balboa) Dance position: To getin: Start after doing 1/2 of a basic: (after 1-2-3-Hold(&LEAN!)) (i.e., From ZERO, do 12 beats then start). On 1, start slowly bringing my L-H (& her R-H) down so that it is down by 4. or: Back(1)-Together(2)-Kick(3)-Cross(4) as in Cross Over but crank the follower to my Left. First 8 counts: Lean LEFT, go CCW (forward). Keep my L-H (her R-H) pointed down. 1-2: 3-4: as in 1-2; 5-6: as in 1-2; 7-8: On 7, put weight on foot & straighten out body. On 8, Lead the other way & pause. Second 8 counts: Lean RIGHT, go CW (back up). Keep my L-H (her R-H) up high. Put a slight arc in my back. 1-2: 3-4: as in 1-2; 5-6: as in 3-4; 7-8: On 7, put weight on foot & straighten out body. On 8 hold??? BE REALLY IN CLOSE TOGETHER. To get out, do the last 1/2 of a basic by going forward on the R foot. To getout (into Cross Over): Back(R)-Together-Forward-Hold. Continue as in Cross Over. Note: this is an "Interrupt" call: Do the first half of a basic; Count to 8 twice; Do the last half of a basic. When doing a Paddle Wheel, ALL weight should be over ONE foot. Practice in place: Leader on L-foot. Weight should be over L-foot. Push off with R-foot & move forward. When moving backward, think about having an arc in my back. DLA suggests that I be rigid with the body frame (so tight we are "like one") so that the follower can feel the up/down in my entire R-arm. Don't bounce the arm up & down but allow the action of my toes up & down move my entire body. Don't be limp. "Pumpies" (Continuous Swivels) ??? ---------------------------------- **** incomplete **** ??? Up on L foot, down on R foot. R is crossed in front of L. Pump on each beat. Push her OUT on R-foot, IN on L-foot. One step per beat of music. On 8th beat, pull her to my R-side as in Cross Over. *** Do we go around in circles? *** DLA says yes. She-He [07-JAN-93] ------ From Throw Out position. Do a Throw Out Spin but I turn to the LEFT (in place) and grab the follower as soon as possible. Pull the follower's hand towards my R-shoulder and step onto my R-foot (turning towards the Left) so that we are back-to-back. On the next step, PIVOT IN PLACE on the R-foot & step on the L-foot immediately next to the R-foot. On the next step, grab the follower. When turning, be sure to keep my knees bent and my R-arm in close. The leader starts to turn before the follower. On the second step, pivot on the R-foot (don't move it from the ground) & place the L-foot immediately next to it. After pulling, STAY IN PLACE for the turn. Jonathan says that one trick is to not fully square up on the follower on the preceding Throw Out. The leader should be turned much more to the LEFT than in a normal Throw Out (the leader is wrapped-up similar to the follower). Side To Side Kicks [20-JAN-93] ------------------ On 3, instead of holding on the L-foot, kick R-foot to the RIGHT while leaning to the LEFT. Then: (moving to the R) Step(R)-Step-Step-Kick(L-foot to the L) Then: (moving to the L) Step(L)-Step-Step-Kick(R-foot to the R) Repeat as many times as desired. The Steps are all sidesteps. Kicks are on beats 3 (L) and 7 (R). After the first kick, stay further apart from each other. To get out: (after 7:Kick(R), 8:Step(R)): Rock-Step-Hold... To get out: Replace 7 (Kick R) with a R-foot Hold. Stop Step [11-FEB-93] *7 --------- VERBAL CUE: "Stop". Jonathan also gives a direction (or a thing) to to look at. Starts like a Kicks In And Out. 7: Kick R forward 8: Step forward on R 1: Turn 1/4 In & STEP ON LEFT 2: Turn 1/4 Out & STEP ON RIGHT 3: Turn 1/4 In & STEP ON LEFT 4: Slide feet apart (but no further than shoulder width) 5: Hold And-6: On And, Step on RIGHT slightly behind Left (in place) On 6, Step on Left (in front of R-foot) 7: Sidestep to the R, pivoting so that L-toe is pointed towards the initial moving direction. 8: Drag L-foot towards R-foot 1: Hold; 2: Stomp forward on L-foot (no weight) Then start a basic with "Rock-Step-Hold..." On 1 thru 3, keep shoulders facing! Leader must use the R-H to turn the follower in & out. Keep head up high, even if body gets down low. When getting out, leader only does the Stomp & then must force the follower to do the Rock-Step. Swivels ------- *** incomplete *** Keep weight low. To get out, when R-foot is forward, start a basic by doing a Rock-Step-Hold (as with from ZERO). Throw Out (Spin / Under Arm) ============================ From Cross Over position: Rock(L)-Step-Step-Hold (to face her) [Come Around] (we should be apart here) Step-Step-Hold On 1st Step: pull the follower past my R-side (I get out of the way) & step with R-foot crossed behind the L-foot. My L-knee must be bent in order to do this. L-Knee should stay bent when I put weight on my R-foot. Also twist slightly, pivoting slightly on L-foot (less than 90 degrees) to get out of the follower's way. On 2nd Step: Turn to face, pivoting 1/2 way or so & fully extend the joined arm. The arms should be extended so that the follower's arm is parallel to the ground at HER shoulder's height. My L-Elbow should be pointed outward. On Hold: My R-foot should be kicked directly in front of my L-foot (R-heel almost touching L-toe) and pointing at the follower. The R-foot should be low to the ground with the toe pointing towards the follower. At this point, our arms should be tight and at THE FOLLOWER'S shoulder height. Don't put any energy into my L-Arm. Keep the L-arm parallel to the ground throughout this movement. Be sure to really pull with the R-Arm. Step-Step-Step-Step-Hold! (FOUR steps then hold). On 1st Step, pull the follower for a Spin or an Under Arm. Step directly in place!!! Don't go forward. On following steps, spiral into the follower. Step(5)-Step(6)-Hold(7) Then start a Basic (beat 8) by backing up on the RIGHT foot. Throw Out can finish with an Under Arm or a Spin. Throw Out With Triple Under Arm =============================== Do a Throw Out Under Arm but add 4 extra march steps. Keep going around in a circle turning the follower. On the march steps, keep my R-foot pointed towards the follower, sliding the R-foot around in a Circle. (R-foot is forward, L-foot is backward).