Level 3: “Advanced Techniques” 

Prerequisites

Because of the more advanced techniques covered in these classes, students are expected to have a strong understanding of zouk frame, footwork, and control (all of which we teach in the Level 2 classes!). Instructor approval is required.

Leaders and followers must be able to display competency in the following zouk moves and techniques:

Intermediate Zouk Moves

Floorcraft (traveling around the dance floor)

Pião

Planada

Opening into a cross vs. a lunge

Body Roll

Rotisserie (in place)

Elasastic/Raul

Balão (in place)

Intermediate Zouk Techniques

Leaders:

  • Solid footwork

  • Staying on time

  • Adapting steps to appropriately position yourself

  • Projecting the feet when appropriate

  • Smooth weight transfers

  • Awareness of the follow’s weight placement and position

  • Spatial awareness and ability to protect the follow on the dance floor and avoid collisions (choosing appropriately-sized moves given spatial constraints, ability to abort/pause moves if necessary)

  • Clear and comfortable at leading traveling movement and/or turning movement (applies to all movements)

  • Be able to differentiate between a lunge or cross position footwork for entrances and exits (in a yoyo or bonus for example)

  • Have general comfort: not using too much force, not leading too big of movements 

  • Clear and comfortable at leading basic head movements in place (balão and rotisserie) 

  • Able to clearly and comfortably lead basic body isolations/undulations (body rolls, raul, etc.)

Followers:

  • Solid footwork (check out blog for breakdown and tips)

    • Projecting the leg fully before shifting weight

    • Collecting the feet appropriately 

    • Rolling through the feet

    • Allow gradual weight shift

    • Keeping the weight in the ball of the feet/foot

    • Stepping on a line

    • Hip engagement while turning/pivoting (when the pelvis moves the feet pivot)

    • Good stability/balance while traveling and turning (soft knees generally help)

    • Step a consistent and predictable length and direction

  • Consistent good frame

    • Understand the directions we resist (such as directly in towards the follow or directly out from the follow, or along the “turning circle”)

    • Understand the directions to allow movement (such as when repositioning the hand to prep for a turn)

  • Ability to smoothly follow basic body isolations/undulations (body rolls, raul, etc.)

Students must receive approval from one of the AmoZouk instructors before dropping into these classes. Please ask us BEFORE the day of class, we will not have time to evaluate students right before class (so catch us during the practica or another zouk social if you’d like a class level evaluation).

For students visiting from out of town, please shoot us a message (we may ask to see a video of your dancing that includes the above-listed moves) so we can pre-approve your class participation in class. Thank you!