IMPROVER LEVEL
RUEDA FIGURES
1. enchufla y al medio
= connect her and to the middle
This figure ends up in a formation with a basic step going in and out to the center (al medio). From this basic step a number of commands may be used, the easiest ones being simply derecha (“right”) and izquierda (“left”).
In the al medio position a few things change:
- claps (con una) start on beat 1, in stead of beat 7 like in pelota.
- directions may be referred to as derecha / izquierda (right / left) in stead of abajo / arriba.
To go from the position “al medio” and back to open position (the basic step “guapea”), a common call is “dile que no”. Or you could call “recogela” (pick her up).
1.1. (a la) derecha
= (to the) right
This command comes after “enchufla y al medio”. Lead go right (on 1), inside the follower and passing one follower.
The figure is shown in the video for “enchufla y al medio”.
To isse this command to the followers, call “mujeres derecha” (women to the right). The follower go right (on 5!), in front of the leader.
If “mujeres” is used his way, it is recommended to use “hombres” if it again should refer to the leaders, to avoid confusion.
For example: “enchufla y al medio > derecha > mujered izuierda > hombres derecha”.
1.2. (a la) izquierda
= (to the) left
This command is similar to “(a la) derecha”, only the direction is the opposite, left in stead of right.
The figure is shown in the video for “enchufla y al medio”.
A common combination is: “hombres derecha y mujeres izquierda” (men go right and women go left).
2. a lo cortico
= the tight way
This is the same as calling “dame una por la mano > siguelo” (give me one by the hand > continue).
2.1. cadena
=chain
The chain should be moving clockwise and the dancers facing alternately in and out of the circle.
To make the chain with only right arm over guys head, use the command “hombres” (men). To go back to regular “cadena”, you can call “cadena” or “mujeres”.
2.2. complícate
= complicate it
The chain is expanding to both women (with guys left arm) and men (with guys right arm).
To exit from the cadena there are several options:
- “dile que no”: where guys let go with their right hand on 7 on their left shoulder, moving the right arm to the back of the woman to their right, and into a dile que no
- “enchufla”: guys start leading the enchufla on 1 with the woman in their left arm. Remember to change partner.
- “salida” / “dame dos con vuelta”: guys turn counter clockwise on 6-7 and go to the woman that was the second to his right (abajo) for a “dile que no”.
There are also some more complicated exits of this formation.
More about rueda formation.