Travel Steps Study Guide 6.4: Step, Cross-Behind

Step, Cross-Behind

Traditional styles of belly dance keep close spacing between the legs for many movements.  Because step, step-together patterns pass the feet through wide spacing, some isolations do not layer modestly on this foundation.  For sideways travel with layers such as undulations or shoulder shimmies, crossover footwork allows a dancer to take relatively large travel steps while still keeping close spacing for the legs.

Move right and left with a step, cross-behind footwork pattern.  Start with a step in place on the right foot.  Travel right by stepping the left foot across to the back.  Bring the right foot over to the right and step in place, under the right hip.  Continuing with this footwork pattern, you will observe that the steps you take on your left foot are the steps that move your body to a new position on the floor.  But, rather than widening the distance between your feet with your travel step, you have narrowed it.  Switch and lead left.  To move in one direction and then the other, take three steps and hold on “4,” or take seven steps and hold on “8.” 

Use the step, cross-behind pattern as the foundation layer for sideways travel with undulations.  If you are taking small steps, you may also use a step, step-together footwork pattern, but this is not a good choice if you need to move quickly across the stage with layered larger steps.  Give it a try—you will see that your undulation takes on a comical appearance.

Working with music, try a timing variation: cross-behind on “1,” step on “2.”  Working in eight count phrases, travelling first right then left, the footwork sequence is:

Cross-behind L, step R, cross-behind L, step R, cross-behind L, step R, cross-behind L, hold

Cross-behind R, step L, cross-behind R, step L, cross-behind R, step L, cross-behind R, hold

An undulation layered on this footwork variation will be timed with an emphasis to the back.

If you’d like to continue practicing with step, cross-behind footwork patterns, make sure to lead to both the right and left sides.  Try layering the steps with hip twists, weighted hip drops, or a hip circle, and try timing variations of both a step on “1” and a cross-behind on “1.”  Try moving left and right, and also turning your body so that your sideways travel takes you towards the audience and back upstage.

I don’t routinely use a “cross-in-front, step” footwork pattern because it’s not the basic travel foundation for any hipwork layer, but some folk dances use this sequence, and it may occasionally be useful to add variety to your dances.

→ Next in the Travel Steps Study Guide: Single Steps Across and Grapevines 

← Previous: Step, Step-Together & Push;Step-Together, Step & Pull; Chassé


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