The bulk of what we did was built up on three steps - the walk, the bota fogo and the volta.

A walk is (normally) forward with one foot, place the weight back on the other and draw the front foot back three - four inches. This gives three steps over two beats, counted 1 & 2.

A bota fogo is a step across, a side step and a replace onto the first step. This gives three steps over two beats, counted 1 & 2.

A volta is a series of steps across, side, cross, side, cross, side, cross. This gives seven steps over four beats counted 1 & 2 & 3 & 4

These steps can be danced in different directions, sometimes in circles sometimes in straight lines, as seen in our routine.

The other step we looked at was a hip bump, which is where the hip simply rocks into the standing foot counted 1 & 2 & 3 & 4.

The routine we put together was as follows:-

Start in shadow position, lady in front, using same feet for both of you

Hip Bump, settling into left hip count (1&2&3&4)

Volta to left (stepping across with the right foot) (1&2&3&4)

Bota Fogo to right (1&2), then left (1&2)

Volta to Right (1&2&3&4)

Bota Fogo to left (1&2), then right (1&2)

Lady goes under the left arm in a clockwise direction, stepping onto right foot, left foot, right foot (count 1&2). Whilst this goes on man points his right foot forward and backward without weight.  Take normal dancing hold

Four Samba walks starting on the man's right foot, lady's left (1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8).

This was followed by a side Samba walk, letting go of the man's right arm, lady's left (1&2)

Four criss cross bota fogos (the man steps behind the lady as she steps across slightly in front of the man).  (1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8)

Two criss cross voltas (similar to start with to criss cross bota fogo) (1&2&3&4, 5&6&7&8)

The lady then dances a turning bota fogo under the raised arm, whilst the gent dances a samba walk, taking normal dancing hold. (1&2)

Two normal Samba walks, followed by a side Samba walk (man only - lady does a normal samba walk), a normal Samba walk followed by a side Samba walk (man only - lady does a normal samba walk), a normal Samba walk followed by a side Samba walk for both of you, keeping hold but turning to face each other.

Three stationary Samba walks (these are where we both stepped forwards towards each other, almost toe to toe then moved away from each other on the seocnd and third step, retaining hol)

The lady dances a spot volta on the right foot (turning clockwise), the gent stands still, to return to the shadow position ready for the hip bump at the beginning.

The above notes are not verbatim copies of the approved technique of the teaching societies, but are intended to be easily digestible aide memoires from the course you attended. (c) 2010 Ballroom Experience Co