How to Lead a Boleo in Tango

The boleo is a beautiful tango step and one that followers love doing when it is led properly. Unfortunately, it is difficult to lead well. Though you can lead a boleo from other steps, leading it from an ocho is the easiest place to begin.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Understand that a boleo is a natural reaction that occurs when you lead your partner to change directions in a pivot. A good follower will just intensify this natural reaction in her dance and will not do a boleo simply because she knows you are leading one.

2. Feel the boleo in your own body. Practice stationary backward ochos while holding onto a dance bar or a wall. Change to forward ochos and, if it is relaxed, your free leg will come off the ground behind you into a boleo.

3. Master the basics. Lead your partner in back ochos. Then, without pausing, switch the direction to lead a forward ocho. A boleo should result from this movement, and you can then refine the boleo.

4. Focus on timing rather than force when you lead a boleo. It will happen if you reverse directions in the pivot at the right time. If you don't get a boleo from your lead, try reversing slightly earlier or slightly later.

5. Accelerate the ocho immediately before and after you change direction, then return to normal speed. This will help indicate the boleo is coming and will also add "snap" to it.

6. Practice rotating around her axis to lead the boleo. Your upper body should come around her rather than move sideways. Keep her on her axis by maintaining the same distance between your axis and hers, which is a method you can use in all tango steps.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also lead a boleo by moving from forward ochos to backward ochos, which will cause the follower's free leg to wrap around her supporting leg.
• If you are working with a relatively new follower, encourage her to relax her leg. Let her know that the boleo should happen naturally, and there is nothing she needs to do.
• An experienced, sensitive leader can successfully lead a boleo even with a follower who has never done one before. Keep practicing, and you will reach that point.
• You can hurt a follower if you lead a boleo with force, so be gentle.
• Practice boleos only when you have enough space, or else you can hurt someone. Avoid leading boleos at crowded milongas until you master the art of leading low boleos.
• Don't give your partner tips on what her boleo should look like, especially if you are just learning to lead a boleo. She needs to find the natural response in her own body, which at first might not look like your conception of a boleo.
• As in all tango, though your right arm will help communicate the lead, don't push or shove with it. A follower can't relax if you are pushing her around.

Resources

• Discuss Argentine tango and other dances at Dance Forums.