How To Salsa Dance: Cross Body Lead For The Leader

Step 1: Footwork For The Leader

The cross body lead is an exciting salsa dance step. The leader's footwork consists of a forward and back basic during which you do a quarter turn. For the forward basic, you begin by moving your left foot forward about a foot or two, placing your weight on this foot. This foot should also be slightly angled to your left. Now replace your weight to your right foot as you move your left foot back about a foot behind your right foot and angle it perpendicular to your right foot. The heel of the left foot should now be at a ninety-degree angle to the heel of the right foot. You now have performed a quarter turn. You now begin a back basic with a quarter turn to your left by lifting your right foot and pivoting it as you step down, now replace the weight to your left foot and pivot it similarly to the left, thus creating a quarter turn. Now you bring your feet together and begin the whole process again.

Step 2: Upper Body For The Leader

In terms of upper body movement, the leader will start holding the follower in the closed hold position and begin his forward break. As the leader begins a quarter turn to his left, he will bring down his left hand and direct the lady forward with his right hand, which is still on her left shoulder blade as it was in during the closed position hold. As the lady steps past, the man pivots the lady to her left so that she now faces him. During this pivot, the man raises his left arm again so that the two are once again in the closed position hold. This move will now be repeated during the back break.