Basic L.A. Salsa Step

 

The following may sound complicated to new dancers

but in reality it only takes about 5 to 10 minutes

to pick up at our beginner classes

 

 

 

 

An explanation of the basics

Salsa music has 4 beats to the bar.

In the basic steps we only move on 3 of them.

So in 8 beats of music we step 6 times.

Most often on beats 1,2,3-5,6,7

Then the pattern is repeated.

 

 

Dancers generally change direction twice

when doing the basic steps.

The change of direction is referred to as the

 

"Break Step"
 

 

When partner dancing

ladies will break backward on beat 1

with their right foot & forward on beat 5

with their left foot.
 

Gentlemen will break forward on beat 1

with their left foot & backward on beat 5

with their right foot.
 

This is referred to as "dancing on one"
and is commonly adopted by

Local Latin dance studios

Try the Basic Salsa Step
 

If animation not smooth:

Right click on picture, select properties then ok

 

Count out loud "1, 2, 3, -  5, 6, 7"

while learning to place your feet in the proper positions. 

We always count when learning new steps,

complex patterns or sequences.