Rumba, technical question about footwork when doing a cucaracha

[J4cki3]

Just wondering if anyone know whether if the guy's heels "should" stay on the floor when doing opening outs. While my teacher said that I should keep both heels on the ground when I'm doing a fan, or a cucaracha, I've seen many couples who lift one of the heels up. What's more "technically correct"???
NZ nationals is getting really close so I'm drilling my techniques, any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

thanks in advance guys ;)

[biggestbox]

both styles are ok. coaches tell people to keep their heals down in order to isolate the hip action, once you understand that you can "lift" them by pivoting on your ball.

[_malakawa_]

if you still don't know proper footwork, keep heels down, otherwise you'll lose balance.


both styles are ok. coaches tell people to keep their heals down in order to isolate the hip action, once you understand that you can "lift" them by pivoting on your ball.


:rocker::cool:

[Larinda McRaven]

Opening Outs, Fan, or Cucarachas? All three have very distinct actions.

In the Cucarachas there is only a partial weight change, which implies that the foot stays flat and the heel down. If you are lifiting a heel then you are doing a full weight change... which then means you are not doing a true cucaracha action but cuban rocks instead.

Heels down.

[Casayoto]

I hesitate to disagree with someone like Larinda...but I have also been told by a former Blackpool amateur champion that either style is acceptable in a Cucaracha.

[Larinda McRaven]

Disagree all you want. I am not above being wrong or accepting differing opinions.

But there is a Cuban Rock Action and there is a Cucaracha Action. Now by all means people are certainly welcome to dance a Cucaracha Step with a Cuban Rock Action... but then technically you are doing a Cuban Rock.

The ISTD book clearly states that the heel will not normally lift, unless for a fwd Cucuaracha.

[njdancegirl]

I've been taught heel down in cucaracha - not that I always do it :rolleyes: - and heel comes off the floor in cuban rock.

[Some guy]

I agree with Larinda: the heel coming up thing was also mentioned to me as an option but it was made clear to me that it was a stylistic nuance unique to my choreography and not a classic Cucaracha. I also agree with malakawa: it's a whole heck of a lot easier to balance with the heel down.

[J4cki3]

Oh dear... I thought opening out is cucaracha.. >< and it seems that there is much debate going on... I'll just ask my coach again to confirm and ask for his reason why. thx heaps guys and girls :D

[Nik]

You should lift the heel of your free foot whenever you have full weight transfer to your standing foot.

[kimsb2429]

You should lift the heel of your free foot whenever you have full weight transfer to your standing foot.

Word. There are drawn-out cucarachas where you can do full weight shifts, but usually cucarachas are done in a split weight position with only the hip weight shifting. Thus, heels down.

[Angel HI]

I hesitate to disagree with someone like Larinda...but I have also been told by a former Blackpool amateur champion that either style is acceptable in a Cucaracha.

Listen to Larinda. Either style might be accepted, yet the one is more correct.

[Nik]

Word. There are drawn-out cucarachas where you can do full weight shifts, but usually cucarachas are done in a split weight position with only the hip weight shifting. Thus, heels down.

lol, werd

[biggestbox]

Listen to Larinda. Either style might be accepted, yet the one is more correct.

ummm...there is no such thing as "more correct" bryan watson bent his knees when he does this step. that is definitely not "correct" but it works for him. Trust your body and things will work out

[ashybang]

There are drawn-out cucarachas where you can do full weight shifts, but usually cucarachas are done in a split weight position with only the hip weight shifting. Thus, heels down.

I agree entirely kimsb.
The classic Cucaracha = heels down. Weight not fully transferred.
Forward Cucaracha = The heel raises.

Variations of this step will allow for heel raising, however they are just that. . . . . . variations, and not the classic basic step.

[latingal]

By the way, welcome to DF ashybang!

[lissie]

ummm...there is no such thing as "more correct" bryan watson bent his knees when he does this step. that is definitely not "correct" but it works for him. Trust your body and things will work out

I can assure you that Brian Watson can do anything he damme well pleases and get marked - it wont necessarily help the OP who was asking about the NZ nationals- unless you B or A grade i would stick with the textbook / what your teacher says ! What feels right rarely works for those of us who are not quite at Brian Watsons level LOL!

oh and you are over panicing and over analysing but so am I because we are going to the NZ nationals too -good luck!

[J4cki3]

I can assure you that Brian Watson can do anything he damme well pleases and get marked - it wont necessarily help the OP who was asking about the NZ nationals- unless you B or A grade i would stick with the textbook / what your teacher says ! What feels right rarely works for those of us who are not quite at Brian Watsons level LOL!

oh and you are over panicing and over analysing but so am I because we are going to the NZ nationals too -good luck!

Coool~~~ What grade will you guys be dancing? We'll be cheering for ya~! unless you guys are doing the same grade as me and my partner.. :rolleyes:

[biggestbox]

how does the grade system work? same as europe? C, B, A, S where S is the full amateur level that usually competes in IDSF comps?

[J4cki3]

how does the grade system work? same as europe? C, B, A, S where S is the full amateur level that usually competes in IDSF comps?

NZ grading starts at E to A. Upgrading is done by either winning 6 competitions in the particular grade you are in, or winning a competition in the grade above you once. The competition must have 6 or more couples dancing in order for it to count.