A tiny circle with your free foot as pivot during a forward ocho. Coordination of the foot circling and the hips flipping as your change direction is key. (I made this name up, so don't try to ask anyone else what the 'rulo loco' is. They will think YOU are loco!)

Caricias - 'caressing' your own leg with the free leg before stepping. Common during paradas or slow forward ochos.

This video illustrates tapping more than once during the beat. Possible combination are tapping on '2' + '3', on '3' + '4' or '2' + '4' with the step coming on the '1' always - the downbeat. (Using the system of count '1-2-3-4' for each beat, '1' being the downbeat, '3' being the upbeat or exact middle, and '2' and '4' being the places inbetween or the quarter beats).

A small light tap is one of the easiest and most basic embellishments, and is a nice way for the follower to mark and express the double-time ('quick, quick') - or the 'and' count in between the beats - while the leader is leading a step on the whole beat ('slow'). A tap can be done in the middle of virtually any step.... more

This video illustrates tapping on the '3' or the upbeat (halfway through the beat). Count '1-2-3-4' for each beat. ('1' being the downbeat, '3' being the upbeat or exact middle, and '2' and '4' being the places inbetween or the quarter beats). It is not a synchopated embellishment, as it happens on an even division of.... more

Various embellishments that can be added to side steps. Music is 'Mariposa' by Pugliese.

This is a common embellishment for back ochos and takes a little practice to work up the speed to do it but once you do you'll find lots of places to fit it in. During back ochos, beat your free foot in front as it passes the other on the "&" count (halfway through the beat), before stepping behind into.... more

This video illustrates tapping on the '2', if you count '1-2-3-4' for each beat. ('1' being the downbeat, '3' being the upbeat or exact middle, and '2' and '4' being the places inbetween or the quarter beats). It is a synchopated embellishment.

also see: http://www.close-embrace.com/embbeatinfront.html

Taps done during forward step (forward ochos here).