El Lapiz (or The Pencil) and Enrosque (Screw or Thread)
The Spanish word Lápiz translates into English as Pencil and the Spanish word Enrosque translates into English as ‘Screw’ or ‘Thread’. These terms primarily apply to the Lead’s side of the dance steps.
What are a Lápiz and Enrosque ? A Lápiz is a leg extension (and pointing of the foot and toe) performed by the Leader in circular fashion in response to the Follower’s steps. Normally this leg extension is moving the leg forward away from the body then around to the left side, then to the back, and finishing back to collection. The Lápiz is usually done in response to the Follower’s Molinete or Traveling Ocho on their back step.
The Lapiz movement is small. The Leader’s foot should take up no more space than a step forward would.
An Enrosque is the Leader crossing one foot behind the other without space between the crossed feet and then unwinding that cross back to collection without wobbling, or using the Follower to do it! Often the Lápiz and the Enrosque will follow one another.
There is very little the Follower needs to do to facilitate the Lapiz and Enrosque other than perform the steps that they feel from the Leader. Nothing that the Lead is doing should affect the follower’s dancing in any way. In fact, the Leader’s steps should enhance what the Follower is doing from a visual perspective. Assuming that the Leader executes the Lápiz and enrosque well, the Follower shouldn’t even feel that the Leader has performed them. There should be no indication that the Lápiz or Enrosque have taken place. All the Lead is really doing is an embellishment.
Having said that. There are a couple of points of technique that the Follower should pay attention to in order to make the Leader’s Lapiz and Enrosque smooth and easy:
The Follower’s Molinete steps need to be consistent. The Follower should not step away from the lead and the Follower’s steps should all be the same size. The size of the Forward step, Back step and Side step must be equal. Without that consistency, the Lead’s Lapiz becomes much more challenging.
The Follower needs to step around the Lead not away from them on the Follower’s back step of the Molinete. If the Follower steps away from the Lead, it means the Lápiz likely will not accentuate the line of the Follower’s back step.
And here are some points of technique that the Leader should focus on.
Point your big toe. Elongate the leg so it is straight while doing the Lapiz. Make sure the enrosque finishes nice and clean. There should be no space between the leader’s feet as you bring one foot behind (or in front of) the other. The first metatarsals should touch one another, and the outside left heel should touch the outside right heel. And no gap between the knees. Maintain good posture at all times. Do not watch the Follower’s feet.
Problems to be aware of:
Follower’s Molinete must be clean and consistent. Leader must be stable. Follower cannot step away from the Leader or step too close. Follower must not lean on the Leader in any way. Leader must rotate their body.
Here are a couple of videos to watch:
Turns combo with Sweep & Sacadas -Enrosque
Enrosque with Rulo
Enrosque with Sacadas
