Some weeks before, we have talked about the side and slightly back step in Vine (Grapevine); by noting the foot position description on our technique book, we can then conclude that this particular step can successfully help maintain the dancer to keep sidewards movement on a straight line.
Bearing this important note in mind, we look into the Latin Dance technique book again, we can also find this 'side and slightly back' step in Samba.
In the Volta, we have a cross in front step before the side and slightly back without weight, look very similar to the Vine in Country Western Line Dancing. But in the Samba Volta, this side and slightly back step is positioned with the footwork 'I/E of T'. By repeating these two steps, we can have the Volta on a straight line if it is danced as a Travelling Volta (to either side). Surely we can adjust the amount of turn or in different partner positions to have different kinds of Volta.
Another figure that incorporates the 'side and slightly back' step is the Side Samba Walk. In the Side Samba Walk, we step with RF forward, the second step is step LF to side and slightly back without weight (of course toe turned out), then take minimal weight to LF and then draw the RF back 8cm. Without the second step, the whole figure cannot be ended in its designated place. If the second step is towards the side, the dragging back is physically impossible; if the second step is a backward step, there is no difference from the Stationary Samba Walk.
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