1. Cross Over Variation on the Samba
The "samba" is that festive fast-paced dance from Brazil. The samba has many variations and one of those is doing cross overs in your samba dance movements. Actually, the cross over is a variation on the samba forward basic move.
2. The Forward Basic Move With Cross Over Variation
The forward basic move of the samba has the dance partners, together, move out forward to the first dance step. A forward curve in the first step helps to make the quarter or one-fourth turn in the direction of each partner. They will end up with their shoulders very close or barely touching. In addition, the partners should be facing one another at an angle. It depends on the instructor or director as some call this part of the move the "shoulder to shoulder." Here's where the cross overs come in. Upon the first dance step, the lead partner, or the man, will step to the left crossing his right foot. While doing this, he shifts his weight during the half beat and he also turns, just slightly, towards the lady or his partner. As he makes this step, he pulls his partner's hand across his own movement, so that she is mirroring him; she's at the forward right at this point. The next step movement is a step to the lead's right so they face one another once again. A close at left (the partner is right) completes this up to down movement.
3. Do it Again, Do it Again, Until You Have it Nailed Down
Practice your forward basic samba move with the cross over variation by walking through the steps for partner placements. As you become more comfortable with the placements, start practicing to the music. Your placement of the shoulders and body angles is as important as the feet in the cross over variation. As your confidence in remembering the sequence of steps increases, start putting attitude into your dance moves, as that is a big part of the samba. Keep practicing until both partners are spot on where they need to be in each step and turn of the cross over variation.
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