Bachata
Pique (Heel-Toe Accent)
Also known as: Pique, heel-toe accent
The toe-and-heel ground accent that gives authentic Dominican its bounce — the little pique on the off-beat that flavours every basic.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
The pique is the small toe/heel accent tapped into the floor — most often on the '4' and '8' — that gives Dominican bachata its characteristic grounded bounce. It is the detail that turns a flat basic into an authentic one.
Key Points
- Lead: Stays in the feet — keep the upper body and frame quiet so the accent reads without disturbing the lead.
- Follow: Pop the toe or heel lightly into the floor on the accent and let the hip answer it.
- Timing: On the 4 and the 8.
- Common mistake: Stamping hard or lifting the whole foot — the pique is small, quick and close to the floor.
Style Notes
A tiny detail with big payoff — adding the pique is the fastest way a beginner's basic starts to look genuinely Dominican.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
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