Tips for the hips: side step

Okay, cool! I am glad to help. :)

You are right - it really helps on a side step to use the inside edges of your feet to avoid clumping that can result from whole-footed stepping.

Leg strength/control is key, particularly on the inside muscles. I still have to revisit these thoughts from time-to-time. What is the joke - That we are forever learning how to walk? Well, just ask my coach. It seems we are returning to these concepts quite frequently! What I have written below is what I have learned from him.



Not to get too technical/mechanical but try the following conceptual ideas on your next side step and see how it feels:
  • relax your knees (no bending or squatting) to begin your step
  • release your right foot to the inside edge, and begin your step by opening from the ankles
  • now open from the knees
  • now open from your thighs - you are now in the middle of your stride and have nice straight legs
  • pull the thighs together (the knees will soften on their own and the left foot will release to an inside edge, and just begin to draw in)
  • pull the knees together, and the left leg will continue to draw in
  • pull the ankles together, with the left foot on an inside edge
Any of that helpful? Confusing? Let me know. These are concepts... To actually knock your knees together while forcing the feet out is not the desired effect… The object is to use your legs and to stay centered at every point of your stride. It definitely takes time to develop. Just remember to stay "up" in your torso so that you aren't driving downwards into the floor.

NOTE: I have seen a trend lately for the ladies to step onto a straight leg on their side step, resulting in a raised left hip with a sassy drop when the feet collect. Any thoughts about this? To my eyes this borrows heavily from International Latin motion.
 
Sounds like it qould be perfect for the tangos that have a latin feel in the beat.
There is one song that I've heard repeatedly that has what I would identify as candombe druming several times throughout the song (although that's a complete guess), and something like that would be perfect there. I struggled a bit to think of somethig that would really fit that, and I think next time...

But all the time? "Salsa" is what I put on food, not what I eat for the meal.
 
The only other thing I would check is whether your hips are in neutral or pushed out when you do your side step. If they go beyond the neutral position this will stop you making a good axis when you shift your weight.
 
Do not focus from step to step, but from the middle of step (when the feet are apart) to the middle of the next step (using the techniques that Me has outlined for you). Bonne chance.
 
Angel HI said:
Do not focus from step to step, but from the middle of step (when the feet are apart) to the middle of the next step (using the techniques that Me has outlined for you). Bonne chance.
Click to expand...
That's my current technique focus. (Sadly, on my own, since I'm no longer able to take lessons regularly.) I feel like I've gotten it while walking backwards...now, for the other directions! One down, four to go! LOL.:rolleyes:
 
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