The Ocho Cortado

3 minutes read

A man and a woman dancing argentinian tango on gray studio background

The Ocho Cortado is a popular foundational pattern with a number of variations. “Cortado” is translated into English as “cut”, but no one uses the term “cut ocho”. The Ocho Cortado is a variation on the ocho pattern. The leader begins the Ocho Cortado by cutting short a regular Forward Ocho and instead returning the follower to the cross position. The follower will have to anticipate the leader’s pattern and step correctly when they recognize the Ocho Cortado. Once the basic Ocho Cortado has been learnt, there are a number of variations that are possible by accelerating the Ocho Cortado pattern or making alternative foot patterns.

The leader commences the Ocho Cortado in the basic tango start position and then performs the first four steps of the tango basic. However, the leader should abbreviate the fourth step by not fully transferring their weight onto their left foot. Instead, rather than transferring their weight forward, the Ocho Cortado itself starts with the leader taking a step backwards with the left foot, followed by a step backwards with the right foot. The leader then pivots their right foot and turns their body ninety degrees to the right. This is followed by the leader bringing their right foot alongside their left foot and turning their body 90 degrees back to the left. This 90 degree turn back to the left done properly crosses the follower. These two back to back 90 degree moves are the Ocho Cortado. The Ocho Cortado is finished like a regular basic. The leader steps forward with their left foot and then takes a side step to the right.

The follower’s steps are as follows:

The follower starts in the basic tango position and performs the first four steps of the tango basic. The follower then takes a step forward with their right leg and follows by beginning to move into a full forward ocho intending to pivot 180 degrees on their right foot. However, instead of finishing the turn, the leader will cut the movement with their right foot after just 90 degrees. The leader then pivots the follower back to the cross position with a 90 degree turn to the right. The movement begins the same as a regular forward ocho. However, by stepping forward with their right foot and ending the full motion, the leader makes it the pattern into an ocho cortado. Once you have completed the ocho cortado by returning to the cross position, the movement is completed like the tango basic. Take a step backward with your right foot and then step to the left, placing your feet parallel to each other.

There are some interesting variations to the Ocho Cortado:

First, the leader can accelerate the pace. The leader can add a quick-quick-slow acceleration to the cortado itself. When performing the ocho cortado, move to the cadence of “quick-quick-slow.”. The leader can also add the quick-quick-slow acceleration to the last three steps of the basic tango. Applying the quick-quick-slow acceleration to both movements will add some extra intensity to the ocho cortado.

Another variation open to the leader is to include multiple ocho cortados. Because it begins and ends in the basic position, the lead can choose to perform multiple ocho cortados. A series of cortados can help the lead control the pace of the tango and add musicality. The leader can also alternate between full ochos and ocho cortados.

A final variation – the ocho cortado can be done in open or close embrace.

Lets take a look at some videos demonstrating the Ocho Cortado:

How to do the Ocho Cortado by Tango Space, an Argentine Tango School The video is a good introduction to the Ocho Cortado.

Ocho Cortado by Ricardo Lang and Raquel Lang.

Tango with Lori Mitchell and Patrick.

Tango La Corrida con Ocho Cortado by the 8th Style School of Tango.

How to Do the Ocho Cortado by Diego Blanco and Ana Padrón. This is an ocho cortado with a parade that leaves out the rock step. It starts from the Cross and ends with the Cross.

Ocho Cortado by Los Angeles Tango Academy. The beginning demonstrates the ocho cortado and the rest consists of other basic moves.

The Ocho Cortado broken into three stages: what precedes the move, the move itself, and how to end to move.

Ocho Cortado by Tango Space with three variations: Variation 1 begins with a back ocho. Variation 2 has a brief parada. Variation 3 is interesting.

And here are some additional videos to watch after you have mastered the basic Ocho Cortado:

Ocho Cortado with Variations and Adornos by Clint Rauscher and Shelley Brooks.

Ocho Cortado Sequences for small spaces with rhythmic variations by Michelle and Joachim. Michelle and Joachim provide a number of different repetitions of the Ocho Cortado however with variations in style and musicality. These examples show that knowing the music allows you to match your steps perfectly to it.