S
Sacada (f)
A displacement: The most common term for a displacement of a leg or foot by the partner’s leg or foot. Occurs when a dancer places their foot or leg against a leg of their partner and transfers weight to their leg so that it moves into the space of and displaces the partner’s leg. See Desplazamiento.
Salida (f)
From salir - to exit; to go out: The first steps of dancing a tango, or a tango pattern, derived from “¿Salimos a bailar?” {Shall we (go out to the dance floor and) dance?}. Also means the beginning of a pattern.
Salida Cruzada
The beginning of a pattern with a cross, stepping side left crossing right foot behind left or side right crossing left foot behind right.
Salida de Gato
A variation on the basico in which the man steps side left, forward right outside the lady, diagonal forward left, and crossing behind right with a lead for forward ochos for the lady. The lady is led to step side right, back left, diagonal back right, and crossing forward left, beginning ochos on her left foot. This figure enters ochos without using cruzada.
Saludo
Front leg wipe.
Salón
Style of tango best suited for social dancing. Always following line of dance, being aware and be courteous to others.
Salto
Jump (saltito - little jump): Leading your partner/yourself into a jump.
Sandwiche, sanguichito
Meaning a foot sandwich where both feet of one person are sandwiching the foot of the partner. Also see Mordida.
Seguidillas
Tiny quick steps, usually seen in orillero style.
Seguir
To follow.
Sentada (f)
To sit (from sentar); a sitting action: A family of figures in which the lady creates the illusion of sitting in, or actually mounts, the man’s leg. Frequently used as a dramatic flourish at the end of a dance.
Soltada
Untying, to let go: steps where the embrace is broken.
Stork
See Calecita. Not used often or much recommended but refers to a position of the lady where the working leg is held with the lower leg lifted and horizontal in a figure four, or cuatro, position.
Suave
Smooth, steady and gentle, soft, stylish. A major objective in tango.
Syncopation
Syncopate; syncopated; syncopa: A musical term adopted by dancers and used in a way which is technically incorrect, musically, and leads to endless arguments between dancers and musicians. Musically it refers to an unexpected or unusual accenting of the beats in a measure such as the two and four beats of swing music rather than the more common accent on the one and three beats. Dancers have come to use the term to describe cutting the beat, or stepping on the half-beat.
Sube y Baja
Literally, to go up and down: A milonga step in which the couple dance forward-together and back-together in outside right position with a pendulum action of the hips. See Ven y Va.
