There are many ways to lead and follow the Ocho – but there are even more and interesting ways to exit the Ocho that I will present here:
Review from the beginner’s course:
Described here in case of an exit after of an back ocho to leaders right side (can be done on the other side as well):
- Walk straight out – the leader stops the follower in the middle of the Ocho back step, turns the follower back into basic position, makes a silent foot change and walks out.
Video: Back Ocho: Basic Version With 180° Pivots
Alternatively you can walk out in the 3rd lane or skip the foot change and walk out the 4th lane (more difficult). - Parada (& Sandwich): The leader doesn’t accompany the last ocho, but stops the movement of the follower by (in case of an ocho to his right) putting his right foot against the left foot of the follower – after the right foot has moved, but before the follower can move the left and close the feet. The follower understands that a signal to stop in the middle of the stept. Now the leader can lead a pasada (a stop over the leaders right leg) or close the feet around the followser foot for the sandwich.
Video: Tango – Parada and Sandwich
The video shows it to the right, can also be done to the other side. - Giro & Mulinette: The leader doesn’t accompany the last ocho (which should be lead as an overturned ocho – pivot more then 180°). After the follower has closed the feet, the leader doesn’t communicate another pivot, but opens the right shoulder to the back to make space for a side step of the follower. The follower recognises the mulinette and continous: side step – forward – side – backward – side – forward – …. until stoped.
Video: Mulinette nach Rückwärtsochos
The video shows it to the right, can also be done to the other side.
Backward ocho into Forward Ocho
Simple entry into the Forward Ocho
Leader stops follower after closing feet, before pivot and simply reverses direction into a forward step while the leader does a backward step. This can be dissolved into the basic position or be continued with another forward ocho.
Backward ocho into the Forward Ocho with forced crossed leg Boleo
The leader doesn’t accompany the last ocho, but putts his right foot next the left foot of the follower moves his weight onto the right foot (and closes). This blocks the natural movement of the followers left foot (can’t close) and pushes the leg into a cross in front of the other leg were it folds upwards from the impact. Now the leader can lead a foreward step while doing a sideward step either into the basic position or a forward ocho.
Backward ocho into a Cross
The leader doesn’t accompany the last ocho, but putts his right foot next the left foot of the follower moves his weight onto the right foot (and closes). This blocks the natural movement of the followers left foot (can’t close) and pushes the leg into a cross in front of the other leg. If the leader reduced speed and leads the movement downwards, the followers leg will not do a Boleo, but spot in a cross. Now the leader can:
- Lead a weight change and uncross, or
- lead a foreward step either into the basic position or a forward ocho or
- Lead two weight changes and then lead a foreward step either into the basic position or a forward ocho or
- Lead an uncrossing while taking a step back, opens the right shoulder so the follower can do a side step into the mulinete or
- Lead a weight change and a pivot and then opens the right shoulder for a back step into the mulinete
Backward ocho into the Forward Ocho with forced Boleo + Cross
The leader doesn’t accompany the last ocho, but puts his right foot next the left foot of the follower moves his weight onto the right foot (and closes). This blocks the natural movement of the followers left foot (can’t close) and pushes the leg into a cross in front of the other leg were it folds upwards fromt the impact. When the leg is up in the Boleo, the leader leads a downwards movement (without a step) into the cross. Exit options as before.
Backward ocho into the Forward Ocho with Gancho
The leader doesn’t accompany the last ocho, but puts his right foot between the legs of the follower. When the follower wants to close, the leaders leg blocks the followers left foots path (can’t close) and the lower leg to fold upwards from the impact. Now the leader can lead a forward step while doing a sideward step either into the basic position or a forward ocho.
Now the leader can lead a forward step while doing a sideward step either into the basic position or a forward ocho.
Backward ocho into the Forward Ocho with Boleo
Leader stops leads the follower into the pivot and only then reverses direction into a forward step while the leader does a backward step. This can be dissolved into the basic position or be continued with another forward ocho.
I haven’t found any videos so far that specifically show these exits from the back ocho. If you find any, please let me know.
The same principles can also be used as exits to the forwardc ocho – ecept for the forced Boleo, since our knee doesn’t usually allow for our lowe leg to swing forward. Bit you can stll cross from behind.