Lasso

Type    Turn
Level     Level 4 Intermediate
Other Names    ___
Comes From    Cross-Handed Open Position, Belt Loop, Arch, Shadow Position, Outside Turn (cross-handed)
Leads To    Shadow Position, Outside Turn (cross-handed)

Description

There are several other moves in the dance world called “The Lasso,” (ropers can do lots of different tricks, that’s probably why they have so many!). This basic one is called “The Lasso” because it looks the most like if you were to mime a lasso in slow motion. The follower walks around the leader slowly and elegantly.

For the one with two hands see the Double Lasso, and for the lift, see the [Lasso Lift].

This move works especially well with slow music and an open dance floor. It’s very simple, but requires a right-to-right hand set up. The lead’s feet stay stationary during the move, and the follow just walks around him. The whole move is 6 counts, with the follow behind the lead at the half-way mark of 3 counts. Steps are given for leads.

From Shadow Position:

1. Let go with you left hand, and bring your right arm over the follow’s head to guide her forward and around to the left (counter-clockwise). Your right hand will be cupped palm down as the follow passes in front.
2. As the follow arrives at your side, turn your hand over slowly so it’s palm up as she passes behind you.
3. When the follow returns to your right side,
   • For shadow position, put your right arm across her shoulder, and have your left arm across your waist with your hand ready for her to catch.
   • Do an outside turn by keeping your right hand above the follow’s head, and rotating it again in a small circle counter-clockwise.

From Cross-handed Open Position (or another move that ends right-to-right with the follow in front of you):

1. Begin with an outside turn (counter-clockwise).
2. As the follow is coming back around face-to-face; step to the right, draw another circle but deliberately slow down and widen the circle to go over your own head. Your right hand will be cupped palm down as the follow passes in front.
3. As the follow arrives at your side, turn your hand over slowly so it’s palm up as she passes behind you.
4. When the follow returns to your right side,
   • For shadow position, put your right arm across her shoulder, and have your left arm across your waist with your hand ready for her to catch.
   • Do an outside turn by keeping your right hand above the follow’s head, and rotating it again in a small circle counter-clockwise.

Tips

• A hand over the follow’s head shows her that it’s her turn to spin. Be careful not to yank your hand away when you want her to stop, but deliberately bring it down as she is completing the spin and she will know to stop. If she goes into a second spin there’s no good way to stop it, so just let her complete it and then bring your hand down.

Variations

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