Modern Tango World N° 8 (Moscow, Russia) | Page 44

Tango Moves
Raymond Lauzzana
Boleos (Voleos) — Any number of leg whipping actions. Some of them are led[ others are unled. When
led. they are usually caused by a sudden change in direction. The lady’s free leg either awings behind or crossward.
in frony. For medium height boleos, the lfollower keeps knees together, while swiveling on the supporting leg,
throwing or whipping the free leg. Boleos may be low or high; linear or circular. Iy is sometimes called a Latigazo
or Golpe Fuerte when led by the leader briskly reversing directions, causing the follower to kick a boleo. In all cas-
es, it is important for the follower to keep the free leg as limp as possible, allowing the leader to flick or move it.
Circular Forward Boleo (Voleo Adelante)
This is probably the most common form of bo-
leo. It occurs when the follower’s forward circlu-
ar motion is interrupted or suspended, typically
from a forward ocho. The follower’s forward
leg lifts foot from the floor and flies to the side,
wrapping around the standing leg in front of the
knee to form a cuatro. or figure four.
Circular Back Boleo (Voleo Atrás)
This occurs when the follower’s backward cir-
cluar motion interrupted or suspended. Typically,
this is during a back ocho. when the follower is
stepping backward. When the follower’s move-
ment is interrupted, or reversed the follower’s
Linear Back Boleo (Voleo en Linea)
When walking in a normal caminando, the leader
may abruptly reverse directions and stop or walk
backwards. This will interrupt the follower’s back-
ward movement, causing the follower’s free leg
to lift into the air behind. If done with great gus-
to, this may produce a voleo alto or high boleo. In
a high boleo, the follower’s leg is raised to bring
the thigh parallel with the floor. High boleos are
banned from many dance floors because of the
possibility of kicking other dancers.
Linear Forward Boleo (Voleo en Linea Adelante)
This occurs when the leader stops the follower’s
forward linear movement, causing in the follow-
er’s leg to lift into the air in front. Since the leader
rarely walks backward, this is a rather unusual
move. It is usually combined with other move-
ment, such as the beginning of calesita with a gan-
cho or a follwer’s frontal golpe before a sacada.
Low Boleo (Voleo Bajo)
Almost any boleo may be kept low by the fol-
lower. The concept is to restrain the effect of
the boleo. In this case, the follower’s leg is raised
only slightly above to the ankle.
Figure Four (Cuatro)
A follower’s adornment that crosses and raises
the free leg in front of the other leg, so that the
shin is parallel to the floor and the toe point-
ing downward to form a figure four. The free leg
may then waved back and forth, before return-
ing to the floor.
Unfolding (Developé)
Sometimes, during a parada, the follower steps
cross behind with the foot. She then swivels
90°, then draws the leg slowly up so that the
thigh is parallel to the floor. May follow other
moves, such as a calesita, before recovering.
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