How To Salsa Dance: The Open Break Under Arm For The Leader

Pair of soft-soled shoes

Step 1: Footwork For The Leader

The salsa open break under arm turn is an exciting salsa dance step. For the leader, footwork consists of two back breaks one after the other. To start, you place your feet together with equal weight on both feet. Now move your left foot backward about a foot or two, placing your weight on this foot. Next, keeping both feet where they are, replace your weight to your right foot. Now bring your left foot back to it's original position next to your right foot. Repeat this now in the reverse, starting by moving your right foot back, replacing the weight, and bringing it back together with the left foot. And repeat for another back break.

Step 2: Upper Body For The Leader

In terms of upper body movement, the leader will hold the follower in the closed position for the first back break, bringing his left hand down on the last count of the first back break (seven). Now you release your right hand from under her shoulder blade and go into an open break position. On three, elevate your left hand and begin to circle your partner a full turn clockwise. At the end of the turn, return to a closed hold position.