Salsa Dance Steps

Saucy - no other dance could have its etymological roots so befitting than salsa. A dance that oozes oomph and sensuality, salsa is named for the Spanish word for sauce. Salsa, as we know it today can be traced back to Cuba. The basic steps focuses on 3 steps or weight changes, during four beats of a music, while skipping one beat and replacing that beat's step with a kick or weight change which comes naturally while salsa dancing. Some of the fastest tunes that salsa is danced to has as many as 180 beats per minute. Salsa, first emerged in the United States in the 1940s , which eventually gave rise to the New York and LA style of salsa dancing.

In all salsa steps, the movement and lead of the male partner or the leader is extremely important. He should be able to dance according to his partner's rhythm preference and also his hold should be tight enough to lead his partner well and give them the correct indication for the steps of salsa dancing that he is about to lead her into. It is important that a salsa dancer exudes confidence and moves with an inherent attitude that matches his/her style of dancing. The women should express grace and femininity and helping her enhance these qualities are the gorgeous salsa dance costumes. Given below is a list of moves that are the best salsa steps for beginners to start with.

List of Salsa Dance Moves

Tap 2 3 4
The most basic of the salsa footwork, this step is the foundation of all the moves and therefore one of the most important salsa steps for beginners. As a man you will always begin a step with your left leg. The step would be done as follows:

• A tap with your left leg, followed by moving your left leg forward, a tap with your right leg and the bringing the left leg back to its original position.
• Your partner will mirror your step, starting with her right leg and moving backwards when you move forwards.

Basic - Backward & Forward
The Tap 2 3 4 step described above is the basis for the basic steps of salsa dancing. When you perform the step in backward movement as the lady does at the first movement, it is called the back basic and when it is performed in a forward movement, it is known as a front basic.

La Cucarachas or Side Basic
The sideways basic is simply a alteration to the back basic and front basic, with the breaks/taps in the step done in a right and left movement instead of backward and forward.

Hand to Hand
In this step the male partner does a forward basic and then releases the hold that he has with his partner, but only on one hand, simultaneously turning her and himself 90 degrees to face the same direction. While doing so, the open hand will be held parallel to the ground at waist height. You can then close the step and repeat to face the other side.

Underarm turns - Right & Left
While dancing the underarm turn to the right, the lady turns in clockwise direction while doing a forward basic and in the underarm turn to the left, the lady turns in the counterclockwise direction from her left side.

Spot Turn
A spot turn is called so because it is one of the steps for salsa dancing that is done exactly at the place where you are standing, with one of the partners (in some cases both the partners), performs a 360º turn at the spot.

Extension
After a forward or a back basic, the partners release their hold on one hand and break out in opposite directions extending their arms completely to build tension between themselves. This is one of the steps that is also used as a styling, shine or salsita.

In and Out
The male partner leads towards an extension and then pulls in the woman towards himself. While doing so he places his hand over head and then turns her 180º towards her left. The male partner then again pushes the woman outwards and she does another 180º while doing so and comes back to face the male partner.

Cross Body Lead & Reverse Cross Body Lead
This a step where in the male partner leads his partner to his opposite side in a counter-clockwise way and in the process, swaps positions with his partner. In the reverse cross body lead, the same turn is executed but the swapping of position is done in a clockwise direction.

Basket
This is one of the steps of salsa dancing which is also a form of extension. The male partner stands behind his partner and holds her hands around her shoulders. The male partner then does a back basic while the female partner does a front basic. You could accentuate the step with a salsita or shine to make it more attractive as you perform the step.

Latin dance has captured the imagination of millions all over the world, thanks to movies like Shall We Dance and the unforgettable Dirty Dancing. When Patrick Swayze refused to let Baby sit in the corner, hundreds of women swooned, waiting for their own dance partner to lead them to the floor. Be it the mambo, cha cha, merengue or salsa, these dance forms help people let loose their inner dancer and let go of inhibitions. So, go ahead and learn salsa steps for the next time you want to show off your footwork.