There are many types of Boleoes such as the Circular Boleo and its variations (high, medium, and low), the Social Boleo and its variations, as well as the Contra and With variations on these ideas. Typically most people when they hear the word Boleo they only conceive of the Contra High Boleo that is done in performances. Why ? Because it’s the flashy, sexy one that ‘kicks’ high in the air! That’s why. It’s pretty simple, Boleo = “kick” in their minds. “I want to kick like that…”, as has been said by many of Followers that see these things. What many don’t realize is that a.) Both the Circular and the Social Boleos are built off of the Follower’s ability to have already mastered their disassociation skills and then to apply that disassociation, and really the Follower’s ability to employ clean, clear, consistent Linear Ochos or Traveling Ochos without using their Leads for stabilization or to push off of in any way, shape, or form, and how much work that goes into it, but none of that matters. The only thing that matters is the “Kicking” part! It looks fun and cool. Sigh.
There is, however, another variety of Boleo that almost never, ever gets talked about, which is not built off the Follower’s ability to disassociate, or applied disassociation, or Linear or Traveling Ochos! In fact, this Boleo is built off the one thing that every Follower is already doing, and continually working on: Their Walk! This Boleo requires an understanding of the Follower’s Backstep in all of its myriad of complexities. And if you’re thinking that there is no complexity to the Follower’s backstep, then you, my friend, are living in a fantasy land and have never ever done the work that a good portion of Followers have already done. The role of the Follower’s work in their walk is a lifetime pursuit of diligence and attention to detail to make it cleaner, sharper, crisper, easier….etc. As such this Boleo is built on that work and requires a few things in order to function properly. So let’s get into what is called a “Linear Boleo“.
A little backstory: The word Boleo comes the root Spanish word “Bolear” which roughly translates into English as “To Throw”. Boleo is the first person singular, meaning “I throw”. From a Tango perspective, the Boleo is one of Tango’s four displacements: 1.) Ganchos. 2.) Wraps or Enganches. 3.) Sacadas. and 4.) Boleos. The Boleo barely classifies as a displacement here because typically the displacement is when the Lead generates a displacement they tend to take the place of where the Follower was in the displacement.
What is a Linear Boleo ? Firstly there are many varieties of Boleos. Tango Topics is only talking about 3 very common ones: Social, Circular, and today’s topic: The Linear Boleo. To be clear there are low linear, midrange linear, and then there are the high Linear Boleo. So what is it ? This is a lifting of the leg (Lead or Follow, typically though it’s the Follower’s leg) that tends to be sent straight back and up. This is why they’re called “Linear” Boleos because they’re in a LINE with the walking step. In this version of the Linear Boleo, we’re exploring a Mid-Range Linear Boleo or what Tango Topics refers to as a Mid-Height Linear Boleo.
What’s the difference between a High Boleo and a Mid-Range ? The difference is in its application within the Line of Dance. In a High Boleo the Follower is reaching for the stars, as it were, trying to get their leg as high as possible in response to what’s being led. Typically there’s a tiny little problem with this idea. a.) They tend to be rather painful if you haven’t done the necessary exercises to help with extending one’s leg that high into the air. b.) They tend to disrupt the line and lane of dance because they’re misled in the wrong place (tsk, tsk, tsk). The Follower and the Lead in question quite literally forget for an instance that the Follower is in 3 in. heels for just an instant. And that instant is all it takes for there to be blood on the floor, and someone’s heel impaled into someone’s body parts! So the Linear Boleo that we’re talking about today is a mid-height boleo and doesn’t or shouldn’t really be too energetic or too high. It’s just above waist hight and a little beyond.
Common Errors of Boleos:
About The Video. This video is 2hrs:26m:20s in length in 11 sections. Both lead and follower vocabulary is combined and integrated in the video. There are two sections devoted specifically to the Technique that is required for both roles for nearly all Boleo types.
Exercise – 00:14:43
The Free Leg Exercise
The Controlled Leg Exercise
7 Common Errors – 00:18:37 (above)
5 Common Follower Errors
2 Common Lead Errors
Follower Technique – 00:24:46
The Walking Steps Reminders
Follower Linear Ochos
The Follower’s Appreciation Step
Basic Boleo Technique
Striking The Match (above)
Social Boleo Technique
Circular Boleo Technique
The Follower’s Rebote
Follower Posture
Follower Leg Control
Lead Technique – 00:28:34
The Lead’s ‘Lead’
The Timing Issue
Setting Up The Contra
Setting Up The With
Linear Boleo Technique
Frozen Boleo Technique
The Rebote Principle – 00:05:15
Deeper Contra/With Boleos – 00:16:28
Contra Clarity
With Boleo Clarity
Deeper Rebote Principles
Contra & With Boleos Together At Last
Embrace & Posture Reminders
Linear Boleos – 00:18:52 (see library)
Sending The Free Leg
The Contra Linear Boleo
The Frozen Boleo Idea
The Embrace Question
More Frozen Ideas
Linear Boleo Advice
Boleo Examples – 00:10:57