[Tango-L] To lead or not to lead the cross

[Sergio Vandekier]

I think that most tango dancers do not lead the cross in tango or vals but 
almost always lead it in milonga.

Most instructors will teach that when you walk in front of the woman or 
"outside"to her left she does not cross but as soon as you walk "inside" to 
her right, she crosses automatically, by default.

If you do not wish her to cross, then you prevent her from crossing buy 
placing your left foot by her left foot. In this instance she will step back 
instead of crossing. You may continue walking in this fashion for several 
steps.

If you want to lead the cross in tango you may do so, and this does not 
interfere at all with the dance.   All you need to do is at step # 4 of the 
base, you walk slightly diagonally away from the lady and turn your chest 
slightly from your right to straight to the LOD (as described by somebody 
before).

Milonga has a basic step where the woman does not cross so normally one has 
to lead the cross in milonga.

Summary:   Most people do not lead the cross in tango or vals but they do it 
in milonga.

               You may lead the cross in tango if you wish to do it for any 
specific reason.

Most people lead the embellishments, such as boleos, amagues, ganchos, etc. 
They even lead the type of boleo  : high or low, etc. at times the leader 
only allows time so that the woman can express herself the way she wishes as 
well.  Others may dance in a different way.

A few women will ask for extra time to express themselves by exerting a very 
slight pressure on the man's rt. arm.

There are many ways to dance tango.

Best regards, Sergio

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