Rock Steps and Variations of Ocho Cortado

Rock refers to shifting your weight to one leg and then to the other when the legs are apart. It is typically done in quick-quick-slow timing: (1) stretching one leg forward or backward and transferring 50 percent of the body weight to it (quick), (2) pushing with that leg to transfer weight back to the standing leg (quick), and (3) collecting the acting leg and shifting weight to it to free the standing leg (slow). Rock can be executed in various patterns: forward and backward, right and left, forward and side, with or without a pivot, etc. Since the position of the standing leg can be adjusted in step (2), and the position of the acting leg can be altered in step (3), the rock step can be used to change the direction of travel. The following video demonstrates this technique:

This video includes three parts.

The first part demonstrates the basic forward-back-collecting rock pattern. For clarity, I will primarily describe this from the leader's perspective: (1) He steps forward with his left leg (quick). (2) He pushes with his left leg to transfer weight back to his right leg (quick). (3) He collects his left leg and shifts weight to it, freeing the right leg (slow).

The pattern then repeats starting with the other leg. This sequence can also be performed diagonally to the left or right. The woman mirrors the man’s movements. Note that she does not collect her acting leg when her weight is transferred back to her standing leg. Instead, she keeps her legs spread apart, with the heel of her acting leg remaining on the floor, tilting the foot upward for a more stylish appearance.

In the second part, the man demonstrates the forward-back-side rock pattern: (1) He steps forward with his left leg (quick). (2) He pushes with his left leg to transfer weight back to his right leg (quick). (3) He steps to the side with his left leg and shifts weight to it, freeing the right leg (slow).

This pattern is repeated with the other leg. Note that he makes a 90-degree turn when rocking to either side. The woman mirrors his movements, swiveling her back leg to the right and left while keeping her front leg in place.

In the third part, the man demonstrates how to change the direction of travel at the cruzada using two sets of rock patterns. After leading the woman to the cross, he first employs the forward-back-side rock pattern, starting with his left leg: (1) He steps forward with his left leg to make her step back with her right leg. (2) He pushes with his left leg to transfer weight back to his right leg, prompting her to shift weight forward to her left leg. (3) He steps to the side with his left leg, causing her to pivot 90 degrees and step on his left with her right leg.

Next, he uses the forward-back-turn rock pattern with his right leg: (1) He steps forward with his right leg to make her step back with her left leg. (2) He transfers weight back to his left leg after adjusting its position, prompting her to shift forward to her right leg. (3) He pivots to the left, prompting her to step forward with her left leg and pivot 180 degrees to face him, while he shifts weight to his right leg. These two patterns combine to form a variation of the ocho cortado, executed on his left side instead of his right, as is customary.

This version of ocho cortado can also be executed in the cross system, as demonstrated in the video at 0:33–0:44:

After leading her into the cross system, the man first uses a forward-back-turn rock pattern executed counterclockwise, starting with his right leg: (1) He steps forward with his right leg, prompting her to step back with her right leg. (2) He twists 90 degrees to the left with his right leg and steps back with his left leg, causing her to shift her weight forward to her left leg. (3) He continues the left turn with his left leg, prompting her right leg to swivel counterclockwise and land on his left, as he simultaneously shifts his weight to his right leg.

He then transitions to a forward-turn-side rock pattern with his left leg: (1) He steps to her right side with his left leg, prompting her to step back with her left leg. (2) He shifts his weight to his right leg after turning it 90 degrees to the left, prompting her to transfer her weight forward to her right leg. (3) He steps to the side with his left leg, causing her left leg to swivel 90 degrees counterclockwise and land on her back.

Next, he steps forward with his right leg, twisting it to make her left leg swivel counterclockwise into a back-cross, while he collects his left leg. (This is performed in slow-slow timing.) He then steps back with his right leg, prompting her to complete a standard ocho cortado.

Other rock patterns could also be applied at the cruzada, as shown in the following clip:

After leading the woman to the cross, the man first performs a forward-turn-turn rock pattern: (1) He steps forward with his left leg, prompting her to step back with her right leg. (2) He pivots 90 degrees to the right with both legs and shifts weight to his right leg, prompting her to transfer weight forward to her left leg. (3) He pivots another 90 degrees to the right with his right leg, prompting her to step forward with her right leg, while he shifts weight to his left leg.

On her part, the woman executes a back-forward-forward rock pattern: (1) She steps back with her right leg without collecting her left leg. (2) She pushes with her right leg to transfer weight forward to her left leg. (3) She steps forward with her right leg, freeing her left leg. Note that as she shifts weight back to her right leg in step (1), she tilts her left foot upward for a more stylish appearance.

The man then transitions to a right-left-turn rock pattern using the other leg: (1) He steps to the right with his right leg, prompting her to pivot 180 degrees with her right leg to face him, while her left leg steps on his right. (2) He pushes with his right leg to transfer weight back to his left leg, prompting her to transfer weight to her right leg. (3) He pivots 180 degrees to the left with his left leg, prompting her to step forward with her left leg and pivot 180 degrees to face him, while he shifts weight to his right leg.

On her part, the woman executes a turn-right-forward rock pattern: (1) She pivots 180 degrees with her right leg to face him and steps on his right with her left leg. (2) She pushes with her left leg to transfer weight to her right leg. (3) She steps forward with her left leg and pivots 180 degrees counterclockwise to face him. Note the dissociation at her hips when she steps to and fro on his side. This entire sequence represents another creative variation of the ocho cortado.

The couple continue to exploit rock patterns in another video:

This time, the man begins with a forward-back-back rock pattern executed clockwise. After leading the woman to the cross: (1) He steps forward with his left leg in a clockwise arc, prompting her to step back with her right leg in a clockwise arc. (2) He twists 90 degrees to the right with his left leg and steps back with his right leg, prompting her to transfer weight forward to her left leg. (3) He steps back with his left leg, prompting her to step forward with her right leg toward his right.

Next, he transitions to a back-side-turn rock pattern with the other leg: (1) He steps back with his right leg, prompting her to step to his right with her left leg. (2) He steps to the side with his left leg, prompting her to step to his left with her right leg. (3) He turns 90 degrees to the left, prompting her to step to his left with her left leg and pivot 180 degrees to face him, while he collects and shifts weight to his right leg. The result is a clockwise semicircular variation of the ocho cortado.

You might consider revising this version by using the same sequence but continuously turning to the left instead of turning to the right, creating a counterclockwise circular variation of the ocho cortado.

The rock step is the most iconic step of the milonguero style of tango, which embodies simplicity, compactness, rhythm, and elegance. The patterns described above represent only a fraction of the variety of rock patterns available. Familiarizing yourself with these patterns will enrich your dance vocabulary and enhance your tango.