Lambada Basic Figures

internet source: Lambada Dancing

General Footwork
In general, the man should use ball-flat step but the lady should dance only on the balls of the feet and keep legs straighter than the man to facilitate turns.

Lambada Hip Roll
In some steps, dancers nned to roll their body weight around the edge of the foot, this is the unique Lambada hip roll. During the hip roll, there will be a little pressure where the man’s and woman’s R legs are in contact just above the knee.

Lady’s Head Movements
Lady begins and ends each move w/ her head inclined to the side.
To move head from L to R, roll it, circling it across w/ chin down.
To mvoe head from R to L, roll it, circling it across with chin up.
Points to note:
  • All head movements are a natural extension of the move being danced.
  • In the normal Lambada hold, the lady does not look at the man.
  • The lady looks at the man only at the start and finish of each move

Figure 1: Basic Lambada, can be danced on the spot, in which case Step 2 will have only a very slight movement, or it can be danced with a fwd and bwd movement on Steps 2 & 3. The man starts w/ weight on RF.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
LF inplace
S
RF inplace
Q
RF fwd diag, rolling hips cw around the outside edge of the foot.
Q
LF back diag, rolling hips ccw around the outside edge of the foot
Q
Transfer weight onto LF
Q
Transfer weight onto RF
S
RF back w/ small step
S
LF fwd w/ small step
Q
LF back diag rolling hips ccw around outside edge of the foot
Q
RF fwd diag, rolling hips cw around the outside edge of the foot
Q
Transfer weight onto RF
Q
Transfer weight onto LF

Figure 2: Swing Step, is a basic move, but is often used in combination w/ other moves and as part of the entry into other classic Lambada turns. Feel the swing through the hips as dancing the raunchy Lambada hip roll.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
LF inplace
S
RF inplace
Q
RF side w/ cw Lambada hip roll, moving R side fwd
Q
LF side w/ ccw Lambada hip roll, moving L side fwd
Q
Transfer body weight onto RF, completing the Lambada hip roll, moving L side back to its normal position.
Q
Transfer body weight onto RF, completing the Lambada hip roll, moving L side back to its normal position.
S
RF inplace
S
LF inplace
Q
LF side w/ ccw Lambada hip roll, moving L side fwd
Q
RF side w/ cw Lambada hip roll, moving R side fwd
Q
Transfer body weight onto RF, completing the Lambada hip roll, moving L side back to its normal position.
Q
Transfer body weight onto RF, completing the Lambada hip roll, moving L side back to its normal position.

Figure 3: Basic Lambada Turns,  start by Steps 1-3 of the Basic Lambada, but on Step 2, the man should indicate the turns by turning his body.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
Man’s Swing Step to the L- Lady will open out
SQQ
Basic Lambada
SQQ
Basic Lambada
S
RF inplace
S
LF inplace
Q
LF side w/ ccw Lambada hip roll, turning upper body to the R
Q
Pivoting on the ball of LF, make almost ½ R to end on the man’s R side and step back onto RF
Q
Transfer body weight onto RF, completing the Lambada hip roll, turning upper body to the L to resume its normal position
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto LF, starting to turn to the L
Man’s Swing Step to the R- Lady will oopen out
S
Close LF almost to the RF, leading lady to turn square to him
S
RF side to end facing man square on
Q
RF side, keeping body weight between feet and turning upper body to the L to lead lady to continue turning ccw
Q
Pivoting on the ball of RF, make almost ½ L to end on man’s L side and step back (part weight) onto LF.
Q
Transfer body weight fully onto LF, leading lady to start her turn to the R
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto RF, starting to turn to the R
Underarm Turn
S
Close RF to LF, leading lady to turn square
S
LF side, turning to the R to end facing man square on
Q
LF side, w/ ccw Lambada hip roll and turning upper body to the R
Q
Pivoting on the ball of the LF, make almost ½ R to end on man’s R side and step back onto the RF
Q
Transfer body weight onto the RF, completing the Lambada hip roll and turning the lady to the L, across the man and underneath man’s raised L arm to end facing each other
Q
Transfer body weight fwd and pivot on LF, turning to the L underneath the man’s raised arm to end facing him.

Figure 4: A Cadeira, “The Seat” in Portuguese, is sometimes called “The Photo” because it has become too popular with photographers. Man leads lady to a position in which she appears to be momentarily sitting on his knee.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
LF side, leading lady to open out to his R
S
Swiveling ½ on LF, move back onto RF
Q
Transfer body weight onto Rf, leading lady to turn to the L towards him
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto LF, starting to turn to the L
Q
LF fwd w/o weight
Q
RF fwd and across man
S
Hold the foot position
S
W/ feet inplace, swivel ½ to L to end on RF w/ man on her R
Q
Press the ball of LF down on the floor but do not lower the heel, raising L knee as lowering through the R knee. Raising the L arm, continue to turn the lady, allowing her to lower onto his L knee.
Q
Flex the R knee and lift the LF to the outside of the R knee to create the illusion that she is sitting on the man’s knee
Q
Stand up and close LF back to RF, leading lady to face him and resuming the normal Lambada hold.
Q
Stand up and turn to the R to face man, ending w/ weight on RF

Figure 5: Lambada Drop, the trademark of the Lambada. Man holds his position while leading lady to perform a body ripple that culminates in a flick of the hair.
Man
Lady
Count
Movement
Count
Movement
S
LF fwd w/ small step
S
RF back w/ small step
Q
RF fwd diag, w/ the Lambada hip roll
Q
LF back diag, w/ Lambada hip roll
Q
Transfer body weight back onto LF, leaving RF inplace & R knee slightly raised. Use the quick transfer of weight to draw lady in to ensure close contact.
Q
Transfer body weight fwd onto RF, pulled by the man, move the LF close to the RF, sandwiching the man’s R knee btwn legs. Grip his legs if insufficient support.
SQQ
Flex RH so lady can perform her body ripple, hold position and support the lady’s lower back w/ RH, but do not restrict her movement.
SQQ
To perform the body ripple, contract waist, inclining upper body slightly fwd and bending knees. Bend bwd, pushing hips fwd. Progressively accelerate the roll of back fwd to resume the normal body position, straightening knees and finishing w/ a flick of hair.
SQQ
Steps 4-6 of Basic Lambada
SQQ
Steps 4-6 of Basic Lambada
 
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