For the Leader:: This step requires a lot of sensitivity to the follower in the understanding of the angle of the follower's hips. Without clarity of lead and sensitivity, it can look, and feel, like you're just stumbling around.

For the Follower:: The experience of back ochos in close embrace requires a lot of flexibility in the hip sockets. Whereas in open embrace, we say pivot tons and then step straight back, in close embrace there is very little pivot and a reaching around and back through the hip. If you don't have enough flexibility, you can bend your standing leg so the other leg can cut better.