Tango Notes

Cruzada

Introduction to Cruzada

The Cruzada or El Cruce, commonly called The Cross, is a position where the follower’s weight is on their left foot and the right foot is locked behind it.   This is a common tango position and every follower should get good at it. Altho there is a different feel, Cruzada and FaceL or FaceC are essentially the same with regards to which moves can follow.

Videos

To the Cruzada (Cross, El Cruce)

This is a brief summary just to remind you of when the cross may occur.

  1. “Walking Cruzada” – From dissociated walking as in the Basic Eight. This is step #5 in the Basic Eight, but also in other similar contexts where the leader is dancing on the left side of the follower.
  2. “Snap Cruzada” – From WL side Rebote.
    • Most common as a finish for the Ocho Cortado.  Also in cw Giro.
    • Side step to Cruzada – almost same as Snap Cruzada
    • CSide with slight Pivot cw.  Return with Pivot ccw to Cruzada
  3. “Spiral Cruzada” is not a led move.   This is the option of the follower following a counterclockwise pivot to face, eg after a parada where the follower steps over.   In this case the follower’s trailing foot can gracefully be placed behind their left foot into a Cruzada.
    • Eg after WL Forward Ocho (Front Cross and Pivot to Face).  The Pivot could be done with feet together (typical, but no Cruzada) or with R behind.
  4. Others: Barrida into Cruzada, Volcada into Cruzada, …

From the Cross (Cruzada, Cruz, #5)

This is a brief summary of simple moves to remind you of where you can go from Cruzada.

  • Leader left forward step and continue with:
    • Resolution (#6, #7, #8 of Basic Eight).
    • Leader left walk forward.
    • Leader left walk forward, pivoting -90 (perhaps starting a Rolling Eight).
  • Leader left rock forward step to:
    • Ocho cortado.
    • Rocking turn.
  • Follower right front cross and continue with:
    • Front Ocho with various leader footwork.
    • Giro clockwise, optionally with sacadas.
    • Ocho cortado. Give time for follower to pivot.
  • Follower right to side
    • Both step to open side (ie, going to position #2).
    • Leader doesn’t step with follower, but then left WalkX(rr).
    • . . .
  • Pivot follower clockwise to right back ocho. Give time for follower to pivot

Cruzada issues not covered

  • R over L reverse cruzada.
  • Back cruzada
  • One step cruzada
  • Exit cruzada with WR FCross > Continue with “no you don’t”.
  • [Turn13] CruzadaX with ML bc > M swivel- lead WRs- > WL-b in LOD > MLf, WRb > MRf, WL Cruzada
  • Starting a reverse volcada seems like it should be possible, but didn’t go well for me.

Cruzada Lesson 1

Overview

  • Position with follower left locked in front of right with weight on left.
  • Several common ways to get to cruzada.
  • Several common ways to continue.

Leading the cruzada from Walk(rr) as in basic eight.

  • Practice common cruzada
    • On #3 M steps out to open side (MRf(rr)).  Start dissociation.
    • M continues fwd but facing W so that there is moderate dissociation.
    • On #5 the M unwinds the dissociation to bring W in front and W crosses.
    • W slides foot transferring weight to it.
  • Illustrate with arms out.  Also with pole.
  • Practice with arms out / with pole.
  • Try it both fast and slow.
  • Good place to pause.
  • This can also be done in the cross system where M changes weight at 2.
  • “Double Cruzada” – MR lock behind ML
  • Can follow with ML back diag, WR FCross+180 > MR back tog, WL- to Face
  • Sacadas facilitated by M’s Cruzada
    • If starting cw Giro ML is then positioned for a Sacada.
    • If WR side can easily sacada.

Flow Diagram

The Cruzada and FaceC Flow Diagram shows many moves which can follow a Cruzada.