GANCHOS & ENGANCHOS

GANCHOS & ENGANCHOS

Gancho means a hook

In literal translation, gancho means a hook. In tango, the gancho is an element executed by flexing and swinging the free leg around … an obstacle. The leg ‘bends itself’ as it meets the obstacle during its original trajectory of movement.

Traditional gancho can be executed either to the inside or outside of the partner's supporting leg, though modern tango technique also allows us to perform the gancho in the center between the partner's legs.

Engancho means a wrap

It is an exciting Tango element as it can be added and danced in almost any situation – both stage and social, in crowded and very open spaces, and they always look good.

In a wrap, the follower's leg usually wraps around the leader's leg. The most obvious wraps are executed from the back ocho / low boleo sensation. Then we proceed into more wrapping/unwrapping possibilities.

The wrap is an enjoyable step as it requires neither visual nor actual impulse. It happens by torsions, correct leg placement, and timely weight transfer. All this ‘nothing’ creates an amazingly sensual experience that emphasizes the music and mood of the dance.