Tango Notes

Volcada

Introduction to Volcadas

The Volcada is an off-axis move with the partners leaning toward each other.   The standard volcada starts with the leader going back onto their left while the follower’s left slides forward, then back into cruzada.  The follower’s left foot traces approximately the same path as the leader’s right foot.   A reverse volcada goes from cruzada back to the start for regular volcada.

Videos

A good place to start with Volcadas is in person, but the next best place is with some of the great free video lessons and demos that are available on YouTube.  Here are some that you might find useful.

Lesson Videos

Demo Videos

Less useful videos, but interesting in some respects

  • [Video HC04] How to Do the Volcada | Argentine Tango 3:50 by Howcast.  Starts with small volcadas with no windup from initial open side step.  Does show windup in demo dance. Most of their videos are quite good, but it looks to me like they are uncomfortable with the volcada.
  • [Video KT10]  Volcada 6:05 by Köln Tango.  A Volcada starting from a forward ocho.  In German, but this variation is easy to follow visually once you know the standard back boleo start for a volcada.  These usually reliable instructors didn’t produce a volcada that looks good, which I believe is largely because the follower keeps her left foot up in the air.

Preceding the Volcada- a “Windup”

Follower’s left low back boleo.  By far the most common entry to the Volcada starts with a counterclockwise “windup” of a low boleo.  Sometimes this is followed by wrap and another boleo just as warmup.

Other moves may precede a volcada: front ocho, open side step, …

Volcada [Move Volc02]

  1. Start with a low back counterclockwise boleo.
  2. As M Rotates W cw
    1. Inhale, lift own body and tighten the embrace.  The follower now knows something big is about to happen.
    2. Do not change the embrace.
    3. Do not drop down.
    4. Place ML back and start to shift weight onto it.
  3. Hold W securely as M shifts weight back onto ML and W leans fwd on M.
  4. The MR and WL feet should travel roughly together in an arc that ends in Cruzada.
  5. Practice without using open-side arms.

Considerations for Leader

  • Pivot the follower on their axis, do not lean them.
  • Leave room for the follower’s foot in terminating Cruzada
  • Do not rush the follower in either the back boleo or returning to their axis at the end.
  • Small Volcadas are best for beginners, when dancing with an unknown partner, when leading a partner who is much larger then you are used to, and on crowded dance floors.

Considerations for Follower

  • Styling: With a bent knee, point toe of the moving foot on the floor.
  • Follower’s weight should be on center of leader or on the right side of their chest, not on R or L arms.
  • Lift the chest.

Volcada Moves

Unless otherwise specified, volcadas listed here are done with the follower’s left leg coming forward, and upon finishing the volcada, the follower’s weight is put on their foot involved in the volcada.  In a “reverse volcada” the follower’s right leg is used.

Video references are to videos listed above.  Many more video references needed below.

[Move Volc02] Volcada

See description in lesson above.

[Move Volc04] Reverse Volcada (Revolcada)

Starts in the cruzada and goes back to the normal start of a volcada.

[Move Volc07] Volcada > Revolcada > Volcada

  • Volcada with WL, then WR back, and then again with WL.  The only reason I don’t stop with two volcadas is because the position after two volcadas feels awkward to me.  With a little practice it would probably become comfortable.

[Move Volc05] Volcada > Side > Volcada

Volcada > WR s, MR Piv- > WL BBoleo > Volcada.

After the first , the WR is led to a small side step  

[Move Volc09] Volcada > Wrap

  • [Video CS09] @5:55  Wrap and double Wrap

[Move Volc08] Volcada > Swiveling Calecita > Volcada

  • [Video CS09] @0:44  Volcada > 360 cw Swivel > Volcada
  • [Video CS09] @2:15 WR bc > stop W > cw forward swivel calecita > Volcada.  Different beginning, but similar to previous.

[Move Volc99] Colgada > Volcada

[Needs video]

Splits Volcada

Instead of the follower’s left foot moving forward, it moves sideways along the leaders right side, making a “splits” action.  As dramatic as it looks, it has the disadvantage of risking injury to the follower if not stopped at the right point.  Perhaps it’s best done with advanced or very athletic dancers.

  • [Video CS09] @4:07  Side Volcada

Other

  • [Video CS02] @9:05 “Linear Volcadas” started from walking (underturned) back ochos.