SalsaSelfie.com 🇨🇺

Down-Under figures are prolific in Cuban Casino, that is figures where the Leader ducks under one or two arms. “Down-under” figures as well as “stepping up over” the arms are part and parcel of the Cuban (juvenile) Nudo (junk) tradition that has given Casino a bad name of being awkward and clumsy non-dancing. But some of these figures are too good to ignore.

Down-Under figures can be OK used sparingly. It is important to remember that they are figures for the Leader and shifts the focus to the Leader. If we want Follow-Centric dancing, in order to prevent the best Followers from moving on to other dance styles where they are more equal, we must cut down on all the features that contributes to making the dance Lead-heavy, a Cuban sickness.

Setenta por Abajo (Reverencia)

All Down-Under moves can be reduced to a core, a basic figure of one count of eight. For example, Setenta por Abajo doesn’t need the Setenta to get into the start position for the Down-Under part. “Reverencia” is really just one count of eight that can be used in many situation like Enchufla por Abajo. And when the Lead emerges again there are several good options for how to proceed.

Down-under figures can often be done right away, simply by docking under the arms but many of the known Abajo moves for Rueda de Casino are based on the Leader’s left or right arm Hammerlock and the hand in “police grip” position. “Moves” like Bayamo por Abajo, Dedo por Abajo, Helicoptoro, Sombrero por Abajo.

Setenta por Abajo is unique in the sense that the Leader really bows down and steps back several steps and for that reason the move is often called Reverencia. Like in the Midde Ages where you bow and back out of the Reception Hall, never turning your back to the Ruler.

Unfortunately some people also call the Hammerlock type of “down under” figures for “Reverencia”, and that is meaningless because there is no “Reverencia” look and feel over them. They are more like docking down-under-out sideways.

Break down

Setenta por Abajo starts with turning the Follow into the Hammerlock position. Traditionally Vacilala is used, but I like also to use Exhíbela to get into the Hammerlock position.

There are several ways to time the Down Under part after getting out of the Hammerlock with Enchufla on “1-2-3”. Among the most common are:

1. The Lead can back and duck under already on “5-6-7-1”.
2. The Lead can back and duck under on “1-2-3”. It means that the “down under” simultaneously turns the Follow as first part of getting her into Corona.
3. The Lead finishes Enchufla on “5-6-7” before “down under”, and prepares down under with the next “1-2-3” and gets under on “5-6-7-1”.

Which timing to use is a question of preferences, music, dance style. To me, the first timing is too “rushed”, the second works smoothly in most situations, and the “long” version is useful in some situations.