THE 12 BASIC MOVES OF CUBAN SALSA
by DJ Sacha, Cambridge, UK
http://www.CambridgeCubanSalsa.co.uk
The following moves are some of the basic units of Cuban salsa: other short moves are often armwork variations on these, and longer
routines are often an assemblage of these basic ones. From a teacher's point of view, these moves can be used as a language to explain
long routines efficiently (e.g., Bayamo = Vuelta + Paseala por Abajo/Atras + Vuelta). From a learner's point of view, knowing about them is
helpful while observing and "decoding" longer routines. These basic moves are also useful to develop and polish some essential dancing
skills, e.g., space awareness or leading/following.
Skill(s) developed through
# Name
that move
0 Guapea step Cuban basic
1 Enchufla Swapping positions
Slingshot effect; dancing
Dile que no
2 together, bouncing energy
(DQN)
from each other
Hecho a.k.a. Ability of ladies to turn
Hecho = done. Vuelta =
3 Vuelta a.k.a. clockwise; partners swapping
turn.
Pimienta positions in 8 beats
Enchufla
4 Ronde (hook Hook turn for men
turn)
Paseala al Lead and follow, don't
5
frente anticipate; prep for sacala
Changing directions from line
Sacala a.k.a. to cross (from East-West to
6 Exhibela, but Exhibela is
Exhibela North-South); slingshot effect
in a different context
Paseala por
Ladies hip movement;
7 abajo y por
partner's elastic interaction
atras
Adios con la Round motion (son-style)
8 Prima a.k.a. la rather than partner bouncing
Prima motion
Keeping connection, eye
contact and "shoulder
Cubanita, parallelism" (even when
9 El Uno, El Dos.
Cubanito leading from behind); how
body parts define direction;
keeping hug circle distance
Health and safety for Coca
Cola (be able to catch the
10 Enrocate
lady), geometry of Coca Cola
(2x 3/4 turn DQN)
Ladie's anticlockwise turn;
11 Coca cola
hug circle distance
Siete a.k.a.
12 Yo-yo lead
Panque
Notes Same family as Description
Guapear = acting tough, Basic Cuban salsa step.
being brave. Guapea = the Combination of casino + salsa.
tough step (to show off). Connection: equalise the tension.
Enchufla doble,
Enchufla
Enchufar = to plug in or
Complicado,
turn on (some electrical Back-rock-turn, back-rock-forward.
Enchufla con
equipment)
Mambo/Rumba
etc.
Dile que no with lady's hips tilting
Dile que no = tell her/tell
backwards on 3 to create the
him that not. "Yes but no,
"slingshot effect". Dancing together,
OK maybe."
exchange of complementary energy.
Velta Vacilala,
Lady's clockwise turn on 8 beats led
Sombrero,
by man's left hand (var. right hand),
Balsero,
with prep on preceding 8.
Abanico, Setenta
Enchufla ronde
with hands high,
low, two hands, Starts like enchufla, then hook turn
hands crossed for the man.
etc., Evelyn,
Abanico
Leading the lady inside/outside of
Pasear = to go for a stroll. the circle, lady walking in a figure of
Pasea la = bring her on a 8 or infinity sign, man stepping side
stroll. Al frente = in front. to side. Keep shoulder lines parallel.
Preparation for sacala. Very good for learning to lead and
follow.
Sacar = to throw. Saca la =
Lady's clockwise turn "thrown" by the
throw her out. A.k.a.
leader. Ladies use hips for styling
and creating motion from within the
lead with man's right hand /
body. Action-reaction.
crosshand hold.
Pasear = go for a stroll.
Please don't confuse with Bringing the lady right to left, then
"paseala al frente". Por left to right. Starts from enchufla-
abajo y por atrs = down DQN.
(the street) and back.
Evelyn, Adios Man pushes into the ladies right arm
La Prima = the cousin.
con la Prima y la and pulls her left hip to start the
Adios con la prima = leave
Hermana/con la clockwise rotation, then travels
with the cousin.
Familia under the ladie's arm.
S-shaped arm leading, lady in front
and man behind (resp. man n front,
lady behind). Keep the connection
even though the lady (resp. man) is
in front, "reconnect" on 3 and 7 with
eyes and body direction.
Enrocar = to castle.
Enrocate = castle yourself. Preparation to Coca Cola, keep the
Think of protecting with a lady in the centre.
wall.
"Ladie's inside turn", lady's anti-
clockwise turn led by the man. Can
start from enchufla-DQN.
Spanish panque = Whipping hand motion to lead the
Siete con Coca
pancake. Think of flipping a woman to turn clockwise and "roll
Cola
pancake. her in". Prep-throw, action-reaction.