High Five Samba

Count in: After 8 counts - when the main beat kicks in
Note: This dance was written as a contra, but can also be danced solo with no change to the footwork

MAMBO STEP, COASTER STEP, CROSS ROCK RECOVER, CROSS ROCK RECOVER
1&2Rock forward on R, Recover back onto L, Step R back

3&4Step L back, Step R beside L, Step L forward

5&6Cross R over L, Rock L out to L side, Recover onto R

7&8Cross L over R, Rock R out to R side, Recover onto L

CONTRA Start the dance directly opposite each other. You will pass on each other’s R hand side during counts 5&6 on the first cross rock recover and then continue forward on 7&8

HEEL GRIND ¼ TURN & CROSS SHUFFLE & COLLECT, CROSS, ROCK & CROSS
1 2&Heel grind R over L, Make ¼ turn R stepping back on L, Step R to R side (3oclock)

3&4Cross L over R, Step R to R side, Cross L over R

&5 6Step R to R side (angle body to L diagonal), Close L beside R, Cross R over L

7&8Rock L out to L side, Recover onto R, Cross L over R

CONTRA As you do the cross shuffle you will pass each other face to face. On count 6 as you cross R over L, you will ‘high five’ your partner with R hands as you pass them again. Keep hands together for the next 10 counts. As you do the L rock and cross on 7&8, you should end R side by R side (facing 3&9 oclock) with hands still touching in high five position at your R shoulders

VOLTA FULL TURN R, SIDE BACK ROCK, STEP ½ TURN
1&2&3&4Turning over your R shoulder, make a full volta turn stepping R, L, R, L, R, L, R

5 6&Step L to L side, Rock back on R, Recover forward onto L

7 8Step R forward, Pivot ½ turn L taking weight onto L (9oclock)

CONTRA Keep your hands touching as you do the full clockwise volta turn around each other. You should end where you started. Drop hands on count 5

SAMBA DIAMOND
1&2Cross R over L, Step L to L side, Step R back to L diagonal (10.30)

3&4Step L back, Make 1/8 turn R stepping R to R side, Step L forward to R diagonal (1.30)

5&6Make 1/8 turn R crossing R over L, Step L to L side, Step R back to L diagonal (4.30)

7&8Step L back, Make 1/8 turn R stepping R to R side, Step L forward (6oclock)

CONTRA You will do your diamond anti-clockwise around each other. On counts 1& and 5&, you should be apart but roughly ‘back to back’ with each other (facing 3/9), and you will end the dance in your partners’ previous starting spot facing each other (6/12 oclock)

*Please see our video for clearer visual of the contra movements