Inside and Outside Position in Argentine Tango

One of the signature and unique components of the Argentine Tango for the Leader is the use of the Right Foot Inside Position (and as you advance the use of the left foot outside position). The Right Foot Inside position involves the leader having their right foot between and in front of the follower’s feet, the follower’s body a few inches to the leader’s right and parallel with the leader’s body. The leader’s lower body will still be positioned to move along the line of dance, but the leader should twist (or disassociate) their upper body slightly to the right to keep it parallel with the follower’s upper body.

This twist is uncomfortable if kept for very long, so the leader will usually go back to the Right Foot Inside position within a few steps. At a more advanced level, the leader will also move to a Left Foot Inside or (more usually) Left Foot Outside position. This twist and related disassociation is much more challenging for the leader because there is less room available than in right foot outside position.

Dancing From Inside to Outside and Back

There are several ways in Argentine Tango to go from the Right-Foot-Inside to the Outside position and back to the Inside position again.

The easiest begins from a regular walk.

If you’re the leader, step left forward at a slight diagonal to the left on the first step, just enough so that on the leader’s second step the right foot will be outside the follower’s feet. The leader should  twist or disassociate their upper body slightly to the right to stay facing and connected to the follower.

If you’re the follower, just walk straight back as you would regularly. The leader’s outside step and chest disassociation will have the effect of twisting the follower’s upper body slightly to their right in the middle of the first step.

The leader gets back into the Right-Foot-Inside position in a similar fashion. The leader steps left forward at a slight diagonal to your right on the first step of the Stroll, just enough so that on the leader’s second step their right foot is back inside the follower’’s feet.

If you’re the follower, walk straight back, untwisting the upper body in the middle of the first step.

A great way to practice  is to start in a straight line with the regular tango walk and then start going outside and inside. Then practice walking in curved lines as you would on a dance floor. 

Right Foot Outside on the Salida, Back Inside on the Cruzada

Another frequently used way to go to the Outside position is with the L-Shaped walk when it’s part of the Salida.

If you’re the leader, take a slightly larger than usual step to the left on the first step of the L-Shaped Walk, disassociating the upper body slightly to the right. The twist will hold the follower back so that their side step is slightly shorter than normal.

If you’re the follower, you should feel the leader hold you so that you take a slightly shorter-than-normal step to your right. Be sure to twist your upper body to keep it parallel with the leader.

The leader then steps with their right foot outside of the follower as described above.