[Tango-L] Barridas, sweeps, drags, etc

[Trini y Sean (PATangoS)]

--- On Thu, 11/20/08, Crrtango at aol.com <Crrtango at aol.com> wrote:
 
> Sorry Michael but I disagree about the barrida.   The
> barrida (sweep, like a broom, in Spanish, or loosely, slide or drag) is definitely led, and does involve actually moving the follower's foot, but as with some other steps in tango, it is often taught incorrectly.   

Actually, gentlemen, the secrets to the barrida involve understanding the follower's technique moreso than man's technique.  They include:

1 - All of the woman's weight is on one foot so that the extended leg is weightless.  The woman cannot be taking a big step.  She needs to find her natural extension so that she does not need to shift her weight back.

2 - The woman's leg must move separately within the hip socket, so that when the foot is moved, the hip doesn't pull the woman's torso with it.

3 - Once the man makes contact with the woman's foot, she keeps in contact until the man takes his foot away or sends her foot away.

4 - Soft knees that can bend (both man and woman).

I have to credit Pulpo and Luiza for clearly defining these elements, which are part of Pulpo's distinctive style.  Once one understands what she needs to do a barrida without falling, then it becomes easier to adjust your leading technique, accordingly.  

Depending on what one wants to do, there are different ways of leading barridas or things with foot contact.  Some involve the chest, some don't.

Trini de Pittsburgh