The Cross Body Lead (CBL) sets up the stage for dancers to
move about and use their dancing space well. All the travelling concepts build
on the CBL. The most important characteristic of the CBL is its linearity,
which clearly helps the novice dancers distinguish between On1/On2 dancing as
opposed the more circular movement of the Cuban style.
How to:
The execution for the CBL differs for men and women. The man
will first turn away from the lady, and she will walk “across” and pivot later.
This results in the lady passing briefly in front of the man, giving the Cross
Body Lead its name.
In terms of execution the CBL is simpler for the women than
it is for men. However given the frequency with which men get to practically use
the CBL while dancing it somewhat makes it the most important figure for the
men.
Attached image helps visually understand the footwork both for the men and women.
Women’s Footwork:
(1,2,3): regular back basic
5: lady steps forward with left foot
6: Lady steps forward with right foot
7: lady pivots 180 degrees over the left shoulder and ends
with left foot next to the right.
Pointers:
Don’t be eager to jump forward for the CBL
unless you are absolutely sure of the man’s lead
Counts 5 and 6 are two progressive short steps
Avoid pivoting until count 7 to keep your
movements sharp and to avoid any confusion of direction
Men’s Footwork:
1: step with left towards the lady (regular step)
2: right foot shifts out to the side | pivot on the foot to
come in perpendicular to the lady’s frame
3: left foot next to right | finish the pivot from count 2
and end up outside the lady’s frame completely perpendicular to her frame.
5: check step (right foot almost in place)
6: lift the left foot and move it pointing towards the left
from the existing position
7: resolution (right foot finishes next to left)
Pointers:
While stepping out on count 2 ensure not to step
too far out
Avoid going to far back on count 5. The closer
it remain to the left leg, the better.
On count 6 the left leg trails the distance the
partner has travelled (however, distance can always be controlled by the
resistance between partners)
