Salsa
Cross-Body Lead with Outside Turn
SalsaIntermediateCross-BodyBothconnector
The flashier cross-body. A CBL where the follow spins away from the lead (right/outside) as she crosses.
This move builds: Frame & Lead-Follow Clarity …on the always-on five — Connection, Frame, Comfort, Posture, Consent.
- Entry
- open, R-to-R, facing
- Exit
- open, R-to-R, facing (exchanged)
- Tempo
- medium
- Musical use
- filler/accent
- Connector
- Yes — connects open, R-to-R, facing → open, R-to-R, facing (exchanged) vocabulary
- Level
- Intermediate
- Cluster
- Cross-Body
- Style
- Both
What This Move Is
A cross-body lead using the right hand on the follow's left (or right), raised to spin her to the right — away from the lead — about one-and-a-half rotations (sometimes a double) as she travels the slot. Harder than the inside turn because the hand lead is less intuitive.
Key Points
- Lead: Be precise about which hand leads it; a mistimed lead sends the follow the wrong way.
- Follow: Turn right/outward under the arm while still covering the slot — don't crowd back into the lead's space.
- Timing: On1 prep on 1, spin 2-3, resolve 5-6-7. On2 the same on 2 & 6.
- Common mistake: Confusing which hand leads it; under-travelling so the couple ends up cramped.
Style Notes
"Outside" = follow turns away from the lead = a right/clockwise turn. A natural feeder into hammerlocks and wraps because the follow's arm is already winding.
Chains into
After this, you can flow into…