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Taking classes as a lead

Tangoblitz wrapping up this weekend with Alejandra Hobart and Adrian Veredice, good sessions, always refreshing to see the level that professionals get up to. Notes, notes, notes!

Parallel vs Cross Systems
The L shaped lead-linear
- Leader leads on dual track system (to the left and to the right of him)
-Follower crosses across this track using a back step, side step and a cross over front ocho-forming L shapes zig-zagging back and forth
-Leader strides forward on the beat while follower is on a 1+, 2 beat-option to twist the hip into a front boleo for the follower, leader must change weight with every 1-2 step
-Leader starts on right foot and follower on left foot which is the foot further away-Mirror start=parallel system-sacada happens to the cross over track (guy left, girl right)
-Variation is to have leader start on left foot and follower on left foot-non-mirror=cross system-sacada happens on the parallel track (guy right, girl right)

The L shaped lead-circular
Leader starts on right, follower on left (mirror-parallel system)-same as above but this time the sacada occurs where the leader take the spot where the follower was before doing ochos

The rock step ocho
-Leader leads ochos, to change direction, steps on the outside of the follower before rocking back with her and crossing in front of himself while driving his chest 180 degree to the other way-follower is doing a side step at this point

Giros
- Begin with the concept of 3 types of giros
  1) Contra-giro, where your leg goes one way and your shoulders go the opposite-always tuck the leg flush against the other and feet as close together as possible
  2) Giro turn, where you move in the direction of your leg
  3) Giro and walk forward where you do not change direction but use it to move into a space
-Remember the giro starts with the leg that is tucked in front (i.e. clockwise action)

First Sequence
- Follower starts on back step of the molinete (back side front cross)
- When follower does back side, leader is doing the lapis
- Leader sacadas at the point when the follower does the front cross, changing all his weight and taking that as the new anchor of the circle, does another sacada into follower side step before finishing with 2 ochos

Second Sequence
- Walk lady so both of you are at a cross, left foot in front of right, follower starts sequence with front cross
- Do the 3 types of giros, with the 1) contra giro happening when lady is at front-side-back 2) Giro turn when lady is at side-front 3) Giro and walk forward when you have changed her direction so she has done an ocho after the front step-sacada into her side step and finish with ochos
- Alternative is after 3) Giro walk forward, immediate tuck foot behind and pivot around while lady does side back side front and swing her into the parada with the front ocho

Ladies Technique
- Always inhale with the intent of filling out your back portion, not only the front puffed up
- You choose how you want to transfer your weight-it is either you go with the weight and the foot together or you go with the foot and then the weight-no right or wrong but choices are made
- If weight goes with the foot then think of it as though your face, chest and legs are all moving together as one
- When swinging your leg think of it as a pendulum, on the way up your knees should already be on the way down, this is what makes the lower leg kick up as a 'rebound'-it has no energy of its own
- Practice against the wall on both feet and see how far your rotation goes with the hips-about 270 degree and more
- Stand with back against the wall, twist around and use the wall, if you twist left, left leg is base and you stretch out your right leg to do the back ocho and vice versa
- Idea is to have top half face one way while legs face the other, you are basically assuming a T with energy up top going one way and energy at bottom going perpendicular
- Boleo-knees should be behind so it looks like one leg, bend a little to get the knee back and behind-point toes
- Forward and turn around 360 to the outside then step back ocho and boleo

Brain hurts recapping this, but time to practice!

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