Chicken Walks

Intro:

This figure commences in Open Position and Gentleman Backing Against Line of Dance throughout. Towards end of last step of preceding figure increase tone in left arm to prevent Lady from stepping back. Gentleman uses Merengue action on steps 1-3 as follows:

1. The right knee is firmly straightened on the second half of the preceding step, causing the right hip to move back and to the right, then the left foot is placed back on the ball of foot with the knee flexed.

2. The left heel is lowered with knee firmly straightening on second beat of the preceding step, causing the left hip to move back and to the left, then the right foot is placed back on the ball of the foot with knee flexed.

3. The right heel is lowered and the right knee firmly straightened on the second half of the preceding step, causing the right hip to move back and to the right. Then left foot is placed back on the ball of the foot with the knee flexed. Lower the left heel and take full weight on to the foot as the next step is commenced. The natural reaction in the Gentleman's body to the straighten and flex his knees indicates the turn for the Lady.

Gentleman's footwork on steps 1, 3, and 5 is to point foot forward on Outside Edge of Toe.

For the Gentleman and Lady, the Chicken Walks may be counted "SSSS" (Lady "S a S a S a S"). Steps 1 and 2 may be repeated (Lady steps 1-4) giving a total of six actual Chicken Walks, usually counted "SS QQQQ" (Lady "S a S a Q a Q a Q a Q"). Any suitable combination of Slows and Quicks can be used.

As Gentleman increases tone in his left arm towards end of the preceding figure, Lady must use matching tone in her right arm, with her weight and hips slightly back. The tone in the arm and body position is retained  throughout steps 1-5.

• Other Syllabus Steps
  • Newcomer
    • Basic in Place
    • Fallaway Rock
    • Fallaway Throwaway
    • Overturned Fallaway Throwaway
    • Link
    • Change of Places Right to Left
    • Change of Places Left to Right
    • Change of Hands Behind Back
    • Hip Bump
  • Bronze
    • American Spin
    • Walks
    • Stop & Go
    • Mooch
    • Whip
    • Whip Throwaway
  • Silver
    • Reverse Whip
    • Windmill
    • Spanish Arms
    • Rolling off the Arm
    • Simple Spin
    • Miami Special
  • Gold
    • Curly Whip
    • Shoulder Spin
    • Toe Heel Swivels
    • Chugging
    • Chicken Walks
    • Catapult
    • Stalking Walks, Flicks, and Break

Precedes:

Bronze - Gold: Basic in Place, Fallaway Rock, Link, Whip, Reverse Whip

Follows:

Bronze - Silver: Basic in Place, Fallaway Rock, Fallaway Throwaway, Change of Places Right to Left, Walks

Gold: Stalking Walks, Flicks and Break

Development (Gold):

Precede the Chicken Walks with the Overturned Fallaway Throwaway or Overturned Change of Places Left to Right, turning Lady 1/2 to the right towards end of last step as previously explained in these two figures.

Click on terms for detailed description!