Couples Latin Dance
Term 1 2023 Salsa

Welcome to your Salsa lesson webpage!

After each class, this page will be updated with the steps we've learned - and I will send an email when this has been done.

On this page, I will include multiple videos for each move, if I can, because I have found couples resonate with different videos. 

I recommend you also check out my Salsa webpage here, which includes:
​

• Salsa music with counting
• Understanding the Salsa Rhythm
• How to Look Natural Dancing Salsa
• Creating Hip Movement in Salsa
• Plus lots of other Salsa moves and sequences

Salsa Music Lists
​

*** SECTION 1: LESSON PLANS ***

Summary of Steps Learned So Far

1. Forward & Back Basic Step
2. ​Side Basic Step
3. Left Turns of Follower and Leader
4. Broken Left Turn of Follower with Man Loop
5. Catwalk
6. Cross Body Lead with Outside Turn of Follower
7. ​The Basket Move with Flick and Outside Roll of the Follower
8. Half Moon 
9. Ochos Basic with Leader's Underarm Turn
10. Hand Switch Ochos
11. Cascading Ochos
12. Copa 1 with (a) Simple Exit and (b) Inside Turn/Roll Exit
13. Copa 2 with (a) Simple Exit and (b) Inside Turn/Roll Exit
14. Copa 3 Combination - Cross Hand Right Turn of Follower, Copa with Inside Roll, Hairbrush into Cross Body Lead
15. Behind the Back
16. ​The Shuttle

Lesson 1: Wednesday 1 February 2023 - Left Turns

​Here's what we learned tonight...
​

• Forward & Back Basic Step
• Left Turn of Follower (from Closed Dance Frame)​
• Left Turn of Leader (from Closed Dance Frame)
• Combining Left Turn of Follower and Left Turn of Leader: 
  • Full Basic
  • Left Turn of Follower (Half Basic on 1-2-3, then Follower Turns 5-6-7)
  • Left Turn of Leader (Left Turn of Leader on 1-2-3, then Half Basic on 5-6-7
• Broken Left Turn of Follower with Man Loop (from Two Handed Hold)

Lesson 2: Wednesday 8 February 2023 - Catwalk and CBL Outside Turn

Here's what we covered in class:
​

• Side Basic Step
• Catwalk
• Cross Body Lead (CBL) Outside Turn
• Quick Revision of Week 1 - Left Turns​

Lesson 3: Wednesday 15 February 2023 - The Basket Move

• In week 3, we learned The Basket Move with Flick and Outside Roll of the Follower.
• Refer to video section below for a description of the move as well as the video demonstration and lesson.​​

Lesson 4: Wednesday 22 February 2023 - Half Moon

• We learned the Half Moon in our 4th lesson. 
• Refer to video section below for detailed breakdown of Half Moon, along with videos for Half Moon and the steps that make up the Half Moon.

Lesson 5: Wednesday 1 March 2023 - Ochos

In this lesson, we covered three versions of Ochos:
​

• Basic Ochos with Leader's Underarm Turn
• Hand Switch Ochos
• Cascading Ochos

Refer to video section below for a description of the moves as well as the video demonstration and lesson.​​

Lesson 6: Wednesday 22 March 2023 (90 minutes) - Copa & Variations

• Copa 1 with (a) Simple Exit and (b) Inside Turn/Roll Exit
• Copa 2 with (a) Simple Exit and (b) Inside Turn/Roll Exit
• Copa 3 Combination - Cross Hand Right Turn of Follower, Copa with Inside Roll, Hairbrush into Cross Body Lead

Refer to video section below for a description of the moves as well as the video demonstration and lesson.​​

Lesson 7 (Final): Wednesday 29 March 2023 (90 mins)
- Behind the Back & The Shuttle

• Behind the Back
• The Shuttle

Refer to video section below for a description of the moves as well as the video demonstration and lesson.​​

*** SECTION 2: VIDEOS ***

Notes:

• Firstly, I may include multiple videos showing the same step as I recognise that people resonate with different instructors/demonstrators.
• Secondly, check out my SALSA webpage here for more videos.

1. BASIC STEPS: Forward & Back Step, Side Step and Open Out Step

​
​The video below includes three basic steps in Salsa - (a) Forward and Back, (b) Side Step and (c) Open Out (called Half Swing or Cumbia in this video)

​​​The video below explains the Forward & Back Basic Step in greater detail.

2. Left Turns of Follower & Leader

The video below shows:

• Left Turn of Follower 
  • ​In Closed Dance Frame...
  • Start with Half Basic on 1-2-3
  • Left Turn of Follower 5-6-7
  • Follower Completes Turn on 1-2-3
  • Finish with Back Half of Basic on 5-6-7
• Left Turn of Leader
  • ​In Closed Dance Frame...​
  • Left Turn of Leader 1-2-3
  • Finish with Back Half of Basic on 5-6-7
• Combining Left Turn of Follower with Left Turn of Leader 

​

3. Broken Left Turn of Follower with Man Loop

The video below shows Broken Left Turn with Man Loop. 

Broken Left Turn of Follower with Man Loop

• 1-2-Toss Leader’s Left Hand
• Change Leader’s Left to Lady’s Left (palm to palm) on 3
• Follower’s Left Turn 5-6-7
• 1-2-3 – Man Loop on 3
• Half Basic in Open Frame on 5-6-7

For those who have done Salsa before and know Cross Body Lead, you get a bonus at the end of this video, which shows the Broken Left Turn, Man Loop into Cross Body Lead.

4. Side Basic Step

​Refer to videos above for step 1 Forward & Back Basic. Side Basic is included in the first two videos.

5. Catwalk

​

• In class, we learned this move from two-handed hold, however, you can also do it from the closed dance frame.
• Follower's Footwork Pattern
  • Half Basic on 1-2-3
  • Walk - Walk - Turn (or Forward - Forward - Turn)
    • Forward Left on 5
    • Forward Right on 6
    • Half Turn Clockwise on Left on 7 (you can either have the left foot a step back or together with the right)
      • ​the first video shows the follower bringing her left together with the right on count 7 
        
      • the second video shows the follower stepping back with her left on 7​

​

The video below shows the Catwalk as part of a combination and shows the follower NOT bringing her feet together on 7.

The combination is shown at three speeds - slow, medium and fast tempo. For the Catwalk, refer to the video:

• from 0:33 to 0:37 (slow tempo)
• from 1:06 to 1:10 (medium tempo and from a different angle)
• from 1:40 to 1:43 (fast tempo)

​

6. CBL Outside Turn (Cross Body Lead Outside Turn)

This video shows SEVEN different variations for the CBL Outside Turn (the first version is what we learned in class)... feel free to play! 

(PS: Skip to about the minute mark to avoid the initial chit chat)
​

7. The Basket Move (with Flick and Outside Roll to exit)

Here's a breakdown of The Basket Move with Flick and Outside Roll of Follower.

Start in Two-Handed Hold and do a Forward & Back Basic first

THE BASKET MOVE 1-2-3, 5-6-7

Followers basically stay on their line whilst Leaders go around the Follower and end up doing a 270 degree maneuver. Your hand stay connected with your partner during this part of the move. 

• 1-2-3 (Rock Back of Both Leader and Follower, with Leader Getting Behind Follower)
  • Followers:
    
    • Rock Back Right on 1, Small Step Forward Left on 2, Forward Right on 3 (do not bring feet together)
  • Leaders:
    
    • Rock Back Left on 1
      
    • Big Cross Front Forward Right on 2 (to left side of Follower)
      
      • Have your toes pointing toward Follower (to help set up for next move which is the Half Turn)
        
      • Leader's Left Hand goes over Follower's Head
        
      • Leader's Right Arm stays down to wrap around Follower
        
    • Half Turn on Left to Get Behind Follower on 3
      
      • Leader's Right arm is around Follower’s waist on her right side
        
      • Left arm is at follower’s left shoulder height
• 5-6-7 (Leader ends up in 270 degree position)
  • Followers:
    
    • Hook Front Left on 5 - Back Right on 6 - Together Left on 7 (Followers stay on their line)
    • An easier option is: Bring Left Foot Together with Right on 5 - Back Right on 6 - Together Left on 7
  • Leaders: 
    • Hook behind on Right foot on 5
      • Left hand is going forward slightly to lead follower to continue stepping forward
    • Forward/Side Left to get to other side of follower on 6
      • Both arms around waist/chest height on follower
      • Bring follower back on 6-7
    • Together Right on 7
      • Leader needs to all around Follower on 7 - ending up in in 270 degree position and at right angles to the Follower (who is facing the same direction she started with)

FLICK & OUTSIDE ROLL OF FOLLOWER

• 1-2-3 Flick
  • Followers:
    • Back Right on “and” then tap Left Leg straight on “1” (with an almost quarter turn to face to your right side)
      • Note: Follower's weight stays on her Right; do not transfer your weight to your Left leg on 1
    • Replace Left on 2 then Forward Right on 3
  • Leaders:
    • Side Basic Step - Side Left on 1, Replace Right on 2, Left Together on 3
      
    • Swing Follower open with Right Arm on 1, then swing her back in on 3 (like opening and closing the door)
• 5-6-7 Outside Roll
  • Followers:
    • 3 x Half Turns Clockwise as follows:
      
    • Half Turn Left on 5
      
    • Half Turn Right on 6 (facing away from leader)
      
    • Half Turn Left on 7 (facing leader)
  • Leaders:
    • Release Leader's Right Hand (Follower's Left Hand) then use Leader's Left Hand to Lead Follower into the Clockwise Turns 
    • Back Right on 5 OR Side Right on 5 to get on Follower's Line (if you're getting too far away from Follower)
      
    • Forward Left on 6 to get closer to Follower and travel on Follower's Line 
    • Forward Left on 7 to keep close to Follower
• Then go into a Forward & Basic Step

8. Half Moon

Here are the resources for Half Moon Turn for Ladies.

1. Description of Half Moon Turn
2. Video 8A - Half Moon Turn
3. Video 8B - Right Turn of Follower
4. Video 8C - Basic version of Cross Body Lead
5. Video 8D - Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn (also called Inside Roll)

BASIC BREAKDOWN OF HALF MOON TURN FOR LADIES
​

• Start with Forward & Back Basic Step
• Half Forward & Back Basic to Right-Right on 1-2-3 then Right Turn of Follower on 5-6-7
• Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn into Half Moon / Titanic Position 
• Half Basic from Half Moon position on 1-2-3 (Follower goes Forward Right on 1, Replace on 2 and Half Turn on 3 to face Leader) and Right Turn of Follower on 5-6-7
• Hair Brush of Follower on 1-2-3 with Shoulder Right Turn of Follower on 5-6-7

​​
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF HALF MOON TURN FOR LADIES

• Start off in Closed Frame or Two Handed Hold
• Half Basic with Leader Switching to Right-Right Hand Hold on count of 3, with leader's thumb pointing downward
• Follower’s Right Turn on counts 5-6-7
  • ​Follower steps Forward Left on 5, Half Turn Clockwise (to the right) on 6, another Half Turn Clockwise on 7 (to face back to the Leader)
  • Refer to Right Turns video below 
• Cross Body Lead starting in Right-Right Hand Hold with Inside Roll/Turn into Half Moon (Titanic) position
  • Right hand in front of Follower around waist height on count of 3
  • Leaders footwork is same as Cross Body Lead (and Catwalk which we learned earlier)
  • Leaders Lead Follower Forward on count of 5
    1. Follower’s Forward Left on count of 5
  • Leader use J Hook to lead Follower Across Inside Roll and into Half Moon
    1. Leader brings hand down and make circle at end to lead lady into turn
       1. Ladies Half Turn Anticlockwise (ACW) / Left Turn on Right Foot on count of 6
       2. Ladies Half Turn ACW Left Turn onto Left Foot on count of 7 (facing same direction as Leader)
       3. J Hook indicates to follower that she’s not turning around to face Leader on 7
    2. Ladies Arms Out (Titanic / Half Moon Position) – Leader’s Right to Ladies Right Hand
       1. Leaders Left Hand is on back of Ladies Left Shoulder stopping Follower
       2. In this position, Follower can’t see Leader so Leader needs to lead well so Follower knows what to d 
• Half Moon Half Basic on 1-2-3 then Right Turn of Follower on 5-6-7
  1. Leader Forward & Back Basic to right of Follower
  2. Leader uses Right Hand to Lead Follower Forward on count of 1
  3. Follower steps Forward on Right on count of 1
  4. Replace on 2 Left Leg Follower (Leader’s Left Hand Still on Shoulder)
  5. Follower Half Turn on 3 Right to face Leader
     1. Leader Releases Left Hand on Shoulder
  6. Follower’s Right Turn
• Hair Brush of Follower on 1-2-3 and Shoulder Right Turn of Follower 5-6-7
  1. Hair Brush: Leader goes to Follower’s Left Side of Forehead then lets go
     1. Follower continues the move – hair brush over the top, around the back then flourish to the side
  2. Leader then brings Right Hand to Follower Left Shoulder

VIDEO 8A - HALF MOON TURN FOR LADIES

​VIDEO 8B - RIGHT TURN OF FOLLOWER (CLOCKWISE TURN)
​

8C - CROSS BODY LEAD (BASIC VERSION)

8D - CROSS BODY LEAD WITH INSIDE TURN (ALSO CALLED INSIDE ROLL)

9. Ochos Basic with Leader's Left Hand Only (3 Ocho Combo)

Please note that in class, I taught a simpler version with Leader's Underarm Turn (instead of Leader's Overarm Turn), where Leader uses just his LEFT hand to lead all the turns.


BREAKDOWN OF WHAT I TAUGHT IN CLASS (with Leader's UNDERARM Turn):

1. Rock Back and Turn of Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
2. Rock Back and Leader's Underarm Turn with Leader's Left Hand on 5-6-7
3. Rock Back and Turn of Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
4. Back Basic on 5-6-7

​
BREAKDOWN OF VIDEO VERSION (with Leader's OVERARM Turn):

​​This is the first 3 turns/ochos of the Hand Switch Ochos combination with Back Basic to exit - but the Leader doesn't change hands in this version:

1. Rock Back and Turn of Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
2. Rock Back and Leader's Overarm Turn on 5-6-7
3. Rock Back and Turn of Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
4. Back Basic on 5-6-7

Please note in class I taught a simpler variation of this move where the Leader keeps using his 
​

10. Hand Switch Ochos (5 Ocho Combo)

This is the breakdown of the Hand Switch Ochos combination. Ochos may also be called Figure 8 Turns. 
​

1. Rock Back and Turn the Follower using Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
2. Rock Back and Leader's Overarm Turn on 5-6-7 - finishing with Right-Right Handshake Hold
3. Rock Back and Turn the Follower with Leader's Right Hand and Follower's Right Hand on 1-2-3
4. Rock Back and Leader's Turn with Switch the Hands Behind the Back on 5-6-7
5. Rock Back and Turn the Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
6. Back Basic on 5-6-7

VIDEO 10A - HAND SWITCH OCHOS
​

VIDEO 10B - CHANGE IN PLACE

​This is the first turn/ocho of the Hand Switch Ochos combination with Back Basic to exit.
​

• Rock Back and Turn the Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
• Back Basic on 5-6-7

​

11. Cascading Ochos (3 Ocho Combo)

​

• Start in Two Handed Hold
• Forward & Back Basic
• Rock Back and Turn Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3 - Leader switching to his Right Hand (Follower's Left Hand)
  • Notice how this move is much more connected. Leader is tracing his arm around Follower's Back and down her Left Arm.
• Rock Back and Leader's Underarm Turn with Leader's Right Hand (with what I call "platter hand" for Leader) on 5-6-7
  • As Leader goes into his turn, he places the Follower's Right Hand on his Left side.
  • Follower then traces her hand around Leader's back and Leader catches her hand with his Left hand.
• Rock Back and Turn Follower with Leader's Left Hand on 1-2-3
• Then Back Basic on 5-6-7 to exit the move

​

12. Copa 1 with (a) Simple Exit and (b) Inside Turn/Roll Exit

​Please note that this video is in Brazilian Portuguese. Most of the video focuses on Copa 1 with Simple Exit and shows Copa 1 with Inside Turn/Roll at the end.

Copa 1 With Simple Exit
 

• Forward & Back in Open Frame
• Rock Back with BOTH hands into Copa position
  1. Leader’s Left Hand goes up and over the Follower’s head
  2. Leader’s Right Hand blocks Follower on her Right Side and Left Hand wrapped in Front of Follower
  3. Footwork: rock back, replace or slightly curved forward and half turn
  4. Follower has weight into right foot and hip
  5. Leader has weight into left foot and hip
  6. Opposite leg is straight
• Exit Copa
  1. Leader uses Left hand to lead Follower out and releases Right hand; Leader catches Follower’s Right Hand after she’s turned to get back into open frame
  2. Footwork Leader: slight back right, forward left, forward/together right
  3. Footwork Follower: transfer weight to left, half turn on right foot ACW, back/together left
• Forward & Back in Open Frame

 
Copa 1 with Inside Turn Exit
Video mostly shows Copa 1 then adds Inside Turn at the end.
Refer to video 8D above for the Inside Roll Turns for the Follower (from Cross Body Lead).

13. Copa 2 with Free Spin (a) Simple Exit and (b) Inside Turn/Roll Exit

​This video is also in Brazilian Portuguese and covers both versions of Copa 2.

• Same Footwork as Copa 1
• Start Cross Hand Hold with Left-Left on top
• Both hands go up above Follower’s Head then out to side into Titanic/Butterfly position
• Leader has both hands out to the side in the Copa position
• To exit, Leader releases Right and uses Left to lead Follower out
• Two versions: (a) simple Copa exit and (b) Inside Turn/Roll Exit
• Both exits are FREE spins of the Follower then recapture follower on 1
• How to lead Simple Exit - just roll follower out with left hand
• How to lead Inside Turn/Roll Exit - flick left wrist to initiate turns

​

14. Copa 3 

This Copa combination isn't officially called Copa 3 but we'll call it Copa 3 for the sake of our lessons. Also, the couple demonstrate this move quite quickly so I recommend slowing down the speed in your YouTube settings.

Copa 3 Combination comprises of:

1. Cross Hand Right Turn of Follower
2. Copa  with Inside Roll Exit
3. Hairbrush (of Leader) into Cross Body Lead

Please note that the follower's footwork explained in this video is slightly different to what we did in class - we did rock back on the right, replace or slightly forward on the left then half turn anti-clockwise on the left foot (on counts 1-2-3). Just use the footwork we learned in class and demonstrated in the videos above. 
​

• Start Closed Frame
• Forward & Back and change Leader’s Right Hand to Follower’s Right Hand on/by 7
• Two-Handed Right Turn of Follower ending with Left-Left on top
• Copa – Leader releases Right Hand
• Leader’s Right Hand on Follower’s Right Hip and Leader’s Left Hand with Follower’s Left Hand; Follower can flourish right arm to side
• Leader leads Inside Roll/Turn with Left Hand (staying connected)
• Hairbrush of Leader’s Left Hand over his own head
• Into Cross Body Lead ending in Closed Frame

​

15. Other Copa Variations (which we didn't cover in class)

16. Behind the Back

• Forward & Back in Closed Frame
• Half Basic into Right-Right then Right Turn of Follower 5-6-7
  • Leader changes to Right-Right handshake hold by count 3 in Half Basic
• Hairbrush of Follower into Cross Body Lead (CBL) with Inside Roll/Turn
  • 1-2-3:
    • Leader does Hairbrush of Follower on 1-2-3 as he does normal CBL footwork
    • Leader ends up with hands on Follower’s Hips on count 3 (Left Hand on Right Hip, Right Hand on Left Hip)
    • Follower completes Hairbrush move with right hand, raises left arm up through the loop created by the joined right arms, then ends up with both arms out to side in flourish position on count 3
  • 5-6-7:
    • Leader:
      • Back Basic (Back Right, Replace Left, Together Right) on 5-6-7 to stay facing the side 
      • Leader uses Left hand on hip to pull lady forward and into the inside roll turns, keeping his Left hand connected to Follower’s hip as Follower does the turns
      • Leader ends up still facing the side (in CBL count 3 position but with feet together) and his Left hand on Follower’s Right Hip; Follower is perpendicular to him on his LEFT side with her back to him
    •  Follower:
      • CBL with Inside Roll with arms above head (to keep her arms out of the way)
      • Follower ends up facing her original direction, is at right angles to the Leader (who is behind her) and Leader's hand on her Right hip
• Behind the Back:
  • Leader:
    • Side Basic on 1-2-3
      • Push Follower forward with Left hand on Follower’s Right Hip on count 1
      • Bring her back on count 2 then push across on count 3 and grab her other hip with Leader’s Right Hand
    • Open Out Step Right on 5, Quarter Turn Clockwise on Left Foot on count 6 and Forward/Together Right on count 7 (basically doing a quarter turn)
  • Follower:
    • Forward Right on 1, Quarter Turn Clockwise Left on 2, Cross Front Right on 3
    • Inside Roll 5-6-7 with arms above head (on count 7, Follower is facing the same direction as Leader NOT facing the Leader)
• ​​Forward & Back Basic
  
  • ​Leader puts Right hand on Follower's back to lead her around to face him
    
  • Another option is to go into normal Cross Body Lead instead of Forward & Back

17. The Shuttle Move

• Forward & Back Step
• Half Basic to Right-Right on counts 1-2-3 into Right Turn of Follower on counts 5-6-7
  • Leader’s Right Hand up (with thumb down) on count 3 to indicate the Turn
  • Leader is doing Forward & Back
• Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn/Roll (with Right-Right) on counts 1-2-3, 5-6-7
  • Leader ends with Right Hand above Follower’s Right Shoulder on count 7
• Follower U Turn into Cross Body Lead with Outside Roll/Turn
  • Follower U-Turn on counts 1-2-3:
    • Follower’s Footwork:
      • Quarter Turn Anticlockwise Forward on Right foot on 1
      • Replace/pivot with Left foot on 2
      • Forward Right on 3 (to get into normal CBL count 3 position but with Leader’s arm behind Follower’s neck; like a COVID-distancing arm around the shoulder)
    • Leader:
      • Leader is just going into normal CBL Footwork on counts 1-2-3, keeping his Left foot to Left side of Follower
      • Leader uses Right Hand to lead Follower into the U-Turn, keeping his Right Hand above Follower’s Shoulder
  • Cross Body Lead with Outside Roll/Turn (with Right-Right) on counts 5-6-7
    • Leader turns Follower Clockwise with normal CBL Footwork on 5-6-7
    • Follower keeps Right Arm at about 90 degree angle as she does Outside Roll
• Hairbrush of Follower then Shoulder Right Turn of Follower
  • Leader drapes Right hands above Follower’s head and releases, ending with Leader’s Right Hand on Follower’s Left Shoulder
  • Leader uses Right Hand on Follower’s Left Shoulder to Lead into Right Turn of Follower (free spin) on counts 5-6-7
  • After Leader releases Follower’s Right Hand in Hairbrush, Follower puts both hands behind her back (palms against her body) creating a diamond shape with arms as she turns (basically to keep her arms out of the way)
• Recapture into Two Handed Hold for Forward & Back Basic

​