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Samba Bounce:

1 & 2 is one bar and 3 & 4 is the next bar or the music.

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1. Samba Bounce:
(My version “Step by Step”)

Note: Please note the “Square 1” principle. Whenever you go wrong or when starting this exercise from “stop”, then always and invariably start from the Exercise with serial number 1 below and work your way up. This is very important, as it should help a great deal in getting better movement in most of the Ballroom dances as well, though with a small modification.

1. Keep both feet together and on the floor with equal body weight on the ball of the feet and the heels just off the floor. Compress (flex) the legs at the knees and straighten. Once this exercise is in rhythm give it the counts from 1 to 4. The counts are when one has flexed the knees and a pause is felt before reversing the direction of movement, which will be upwards. It is not necessary for the feet to leave the floor completely, however for some time do jump off the floor to get the feel of push effect, which is necessary for every movement in any direction in all the dances.

2. As soon as you are confident and satisfied with the above movement begin to transfer weight from one foot to the other, without any other change in the exercise given above. Thus the counts 1, 2 can be taken on one foot and the next two counts 3, 4, on the other foot. When transferring weight from one foot to the other consciously feel the strong push from the stationary foot. Also make it a point here to retain only one foot on the floor.

3. Once you are comfortable with the above exercise the next step is to repeat the above as is and without any modifications, except in the counts and which is “1 & 2; 3 & 4;” instead of “1 2; 3 4;” The semi colon after the counts 2, 4, indicate a slightly larger pause in the rhythm.

4. Place a matchbox between the feet and place the toes of one foot on it with slight pressure such that it does not break or get crushed. Similarly try it with the other foot to get the feel of the pressure that can be exerted without any damage to the box. Once this is achieved then begins the exercise given above as is, but with the only modification being that the free foot that was earlier keep completely off the floor would henceforth be maintaining a pressure continuously on the matchbox.

5. Dance the same exercise given above as is; with the only difference being that only one foot is retained on the floor for every count. Thus if is to start on the Left foot for the counts 1, &, 2; 3, &, 4; the stepping would be Left foot, Right ball, Left foot;

Note:
1. By now you must have noticed that when the count are 1, 2, the knees are bent. But between the two counts there is a straightening of the knees. This straightening of the knees is given the count &. The count &, also occurs after the counts 2, and 4, however it is understood here not counted.
2. For the count &, the part weight is achieved by lightly stepping on the floor with the free foot (assumed here to be the Left foot), just when the whole body begins to rise due to the straightening of the knee of the stationary foot (assumed here to be the Right foot). As soon as the body begins to descend, the Left foot is relaxed and the full weight is taken on the Right foot.

An alternative for this exercise is to jump on each foot for four counts, while the other foot is retained on the matchbox. In this case the counts would be “1, &, 2, &, 3, &, 4”. The advantage in this case is that the change of body weight from foot to foot is not very fast and hurried.

6. Introduce the bounce movement from above, in the Side Samba Walk without the turns. (This figure, the Side Samba Walk is more or less like the Closed change in Waltz).

7. Keep the hip relaxed so that most of the rise and falls of the whole body is absorbed in the hips as they rotate and simultaneously move from side to side, and there by giving the movement a more relaxed look and feel. The hip moves almost similar to that as in a walking race.

2. Samba Bounce Again:
The following is taken from the book; “The Revised Technique of Latin American Dancing by Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing”

The Basic Bounce: (Used over two steps to a bar)
Step: (S = Slow; a = a; & = And)
1. With weight on the Left foot and knees slightly flexed commence to move Right foot forward on the ball of the foot with pressure through the ball of the Left foot, slightly straightening both knees (count a or &) and slightly flexing both knees as weight is taken on the to Right foot with foot flat (Count S or 1)

2. Commence to close Left foot to Right foot, on ball of foot slightly straightening both knees (Count a or &) and slightly flexing both knees as Left foot closes to Right foot, with pressure but without weight, foot flat (Count S or 2).

This movement may be commenced with the Left foot or Right foot, moving in a forward, backward or sideways direction and is used on all Basic Movements counted SS or 1, 2.

The Alternative Basic Bounce: (Used over three steps to a bar)
Step: (S & S is the same as the rhythm 1 & 2 or 3 & 4)
1. With weight on the Left foot and knees slightly flexed commence to move Right foot forward on the ball of the foot with pressure through the ball of the Left foot, and slightly straightening both knees (Count a or &) slightly flexing both knees as weight is taken on to Right foot, with foot flat (Count S or 1).

2. Close Left foot to Right foot slightly straightening both knees with both heels just off the floor (Count a or &).

3. Replace weight to Right foot slightly flexing both knees and lowering both heels (Count S or 2).

Note: The Left heel is lowered on step 3 but need not touch the floor. This movement may commence with the Left foot or Right foot in a forward, backward or sideways direction.

All the figures counted SS or 1 2 may also be counted SaS or 1 & 2. Basic Bounce is used on all figures counted SaS or 1 & 2, or SaSaSaS or 1 & 2 & 3 & 4, but on the “a” or & count the step is taken with pressure through the all of the foot and the heel does not lower.

3. Samba Bounce once again:
(This following part is courtesy of MAX)
The origin of Samba is in Brazil and its carnival character; compressing and straightening the knees is the main essence of the movement in this dance. This creates the Bounce, which is absorbed in the Pelvis or lower torso of the body. This is referred to as "Bounce Action." It is not bopping "up and own."

1. Commence with feet together, knees slightly flexed (compressed), weight on the Left foot. Release heel of Left foot and with pressure on the ball of Left foot start to straighten the knees and count "&". (This & belongs to the count 2 of previous bar of music).
2. As the knees straighten move the Right foot forward and take weight on the Right foot lowering the heel and closing Left foot to Right foot without weight. Both knees are compressed, Count 1.
3. Start to straighten the knees, count "&" (second half of beat 1).
4. Take partial weight to ball of Left foot and count "a" (second 1/2 of &). We might say this "a" is the last 1/4 of beat 1. Both heels are released at this point. Beat 1 is complete. 5. Now Replace weight on to the Right foot lowering the heel, knees compressed, no weight on Left foot heel up, count 2 (beat 2).
6. Now with pressure on the ball of Right foot, release the heel of Right foot and straighten knees, count & (second 1/2 of beat 2) and repeat the bounce action with Left foot going back".
7. Thus the Bounce action count is:  "&....1 & a 2 & 1 & a 2 &."...  The space before starting beat 1 is to indicate that this & belongs to 2nd beat of previous bar of music."

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