Pivots and Zigzags
The Pivot is a very important step in the Argentine tango. The pivot is where the dancer twists their body to the left (or right) before or after a step and lifts the heel off the floor. The twist spins the body in the direction of the twist on the ball of the foot. The spin is stopped by controlling the speed and force of the twist and by lowering the heel to the floor when the dancer has reached the place where they want to stop.
The Zigzag is a foundational pattern that features pivots. It is yet a variation of the Two-Step Walk. The leader moves forward along the line of dance with the follower moving backward.
If you’re the follower, the leader will pivot you to the right 45 degrees, then lead you to step back right and pivot to the left 90 degrees, and then lead the follower to step back left and pivot to the right 45 degrees. Follow through to the neutral position.
If you’re the leader, begin by pivoting to your right 45 degrees. Step forward left and pivot to the left 90 degrees. Step forward right and pivot to the right 45 degrees. Follow through to the neutral position.
The two 45 degree pivots and the 90 degree pivot cancel out and the couple ends up facing in the same direction that they began.
Backward Zigzags
It is also possible to do a Backward Zigzag (backward from the leader’s perspective). Since this would take the couple against the line of dance, the leader should start by reversing direction. There are several ways to do that. One is with the man doing a variation of the Forward Rock Step (and the woman doing a variation of the Backward Rock Step).
| If you’re the leader, start by pivoting to the left 45 degrees. Step back left and pivot to the right 90 degrees. Step back right and pivot to the left 45 degrees. Follow through to the neutral position. If you’re the follower, start by pivoting to the left 45 degrees. Step forward right and pivot to the right 90 degrees. Step forward left and pivot to the left 45 degrees. Follow through to the neutral position. |
Zigzags and Ochos
The leader can create variations of the Zigzag by varying the angle of the pivots. If the pivot is less than 45 and 90 degrees, the Zigzag straightens until it almost becomes a Stroll. The leader can also increase the angles of the pivot to more than 90 and 180 degrees. This crushes the Zigzag so much that you end where you began. If you then trace the path your feet made on the floor it will look like the figure eight. This extreme version of the Zigzag is called the Ocho (Eight) or the Figure Eight. When stepping forward you’re doing Forward Ochos, when stepping backward Backward Ochos.
It is important to ensure your upper body is parallel to your partner and that you turn your lower body as sharply to the right or left as you comfortably can. The follower should not try to use the leader for balance. Forward Ochos are easier than Backward Ochos.
