Syllabus of Moves
The music above is a slow song titled No Me Ames. It’s sung by Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. The slow tempo makes it useful for practicing dance moves.
Immediately below are instructional videos that explain some dance moves. Then below that are verbal descriptions of many moves at various levels of complexity. That is followed by a couple of syllabi that Danceintime used over the years. But note there are literally hundreds of moves. So the sample moves below just “scratch the surface.” Readers interested in more detail can find hundreds of additional moves with videos in my book, “Salsa Dancing & Rueda de Casino Guidebook for Beginner to Advanced Dancers: Steps, Styling, Technique, Latin Rhythms, Humor & Anecdotes.” There is information on both Casino steps and L.A. Salsa steps. For ordering details visit amazon.com or salsacasinorueda.com.
a. youtu.be/0uDm8Tu8kCg Instructional Video on "Basic L. A. Style Salsa." This covers Basic, Side Rocks, Right Turn, She/He Turn, and Cross Body Lead.
a. youtu.be/z6jqT83-IL0 Instructional Rueda de Casino Video Part 1, explaining Basic, Dame, Fly, Besitos, and Enchufla.
b. youtu.be/TTibS0sXZ0E Instructional Rueda de Casino Video Part 2. This explains Enchufla Doble, Enchufla con Mambo, Festival de Enchufla, Pelota Con Dos, Pelota Con Quatro, Foto, Dame Dos, Adios, and Uno.
c. youtu.be/fCDkrIV0ccw This is Instructional Rueda de Casino Video Part 3. This covers Pa Ti Pa Mi, Adios con Hermana, Kentucky, Adios Arriba, Enchufla Arriba, Pelota Loca, Enchufla con Exhibe, and Candado.
d. https://youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8 Instructional Rueda de Casino Video Part 4. This covers Uno y Dos, Sombrero, Vacila, Beso, Balsero, Balsero y Beso, Dedo, Montana, Dedo Extended, Siete, Siete Moderno, Siete con Coca Cola, Abanico, Setenta, and Sombrero de Manny.
Barb’s tips on executing some of the common, basic Rueda moves may also be helpful.
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STEP LIST WITH SHORT STEP DESCRIPTIONS
BASICS:
Guapea (Basic Step) Rhythm is Quick, Quick, Slow. Leaders do a back rock and then a forward rock, going back on their left and forward on their right foot. Followers the opposite, first going back on the right foot and then going forward on the left. Note that there are other ways to do Guapea, as well. Many dancers do a style of Guapea with steps only going forward, and using pivots to change direction.
Dame Una Leads travel to a new partner, moving counter-clockwise on beats 1, 2, and 3, and then doing a Cross Body Lead (CBL) on beats 5, 6, and 7. Afterward, the basic step is resumed. (This is often just called "Dame.") In case this is done without changing partners, it is called Dile Que No.
Fly / 2 Flies--Leads turn right and follows turn left. Everyone claps on beat 1 facing the person who was behind them. (To do Fly Doble, the claps are on beats 1 and 2.)
Besito Leads turn right and follows turn left. On beat 1, “air kiss” the person who was behind you on beat 1.
High 5, 10 Leads turn right and followers turn left. Do a high 5 or 10 on beat 1 with the person behind you.
Suena Stomp on beat 5 during a basic step.
Bulla Shout on beat 5 during a basic step.
Bulla Doble Shout on beats 5 and 6 during a basic step.
Suena y Bulla (also called Suena con Bulla)--Stomp and shout on beat 5 during a basic step.
Foto Hold any pose for 8 beats and resume dancing on beat 1. Some dancers instead have the leader pose as though taking a photo of the follower while the follower makes a sassy pose.
Enchufla Underarm turn on beats 1, 2, and 3. Then leaders travel to their next partner moving counter-clockwise around the circle of dancers followed by a Dame.
Enchufla Doble Start like Enchufla but add 8 beats where the leader pushes the lady back underarm. Then a regular Enchufla completes this move.
Pelota Con Dos or Quatro Do Enchufla and then stomp and clap twice each (or 4 times each) before going to the next partner. These stomps & claps are on successive beats 1, 3, 5, and 7.
Pelota Loca Do Enchufla then stomp, clap, stomp clap stomp clap clap clap (on successive beats 1 through 8) before doing Dame to move to the next partner.
Pelota Con Clave Do Enchufla and clap the “clave rhythm” (clap on beats 1, 2 and a half, 4, 6, 7) before doing a Dame to go to the next partner. Follower steps in place in the quick quick slow rhythm (i.e. stepping on beats 1 2 3 5 6 7).
Adios Starts with an embrace and a short turn. This is similar to a "back spot turn" in a ballroom dancing. At the end of the step, leaders throw follower’s arm overhead on beat 6 and start moving to next partner as in Dame on beats 1, 2, and 3.
Pa' Ti, Pa' Mi Three Enchuflas in a row with the same partner. First the leader turns and backs to the center, then the follower turns and backs to the center. Then the follower comes to the circumference and both partners face the center. Ends with Dile Que No (i.e. no partner exchange).
Adios con la Hermana--Starts like Adios; ends with two Enchuflas--similar to Pa Ti Pa Mi. No partner exchange at the end of this step.
Dame Dos—The same as Dame Una but skip one follower and go to the next. Leaders still travel on beats 1, 2, 3 and start the CBL on beats 5, 6, 7. So it is rhythmically identical to Dame Una--you just travel farther!
Dame Dos Con Dos--Same as Dame Dos but also clap on beats 1 and 2 while traveling to next partner.
Dame con los Manos---Group move in which followers rock back and then do CBLs repeatedly, while leaders rock forward & lead the CBL. Continue this until 8 beats after caller calls Dile que no (or "Tranca" for followers' turns).
Kentucky---Get into “cuddle position” on beats 1, 2, 3. Leaders move from follower's left to right behind the follower on 5, 6, 7. Then leaders move left behind the follower, and put their right hand on their own left shoulder. They turn right, ending the turn facing the center. Do Dile Que No to finish.
El Uno--Partners go side to side and followers are in front; everyone does back rocks. End with arms over- head and then Dile Que No to resume basic step.
El Dos--Partners go side to side but leads are in front; everyone does back rocks. Then follower moves to the leader's left side and turns in front of the leader two times while moving right ("Sombrero turn”). The follower ends up on the circumference and the move is completed with a DQN.
Uno y Dos---Starts with El Uno. Before finishing Uno, go into El Dos. Do the El Dos step in full.
Festival de Enchufla 3 Enchuflas in a row each with a different partner and no basic step in between.
Festival de Adios--3 Adios steps in a row each with a different partner and no basic step in between.
Al medio This is done with lead and follow’s positions switched. They step, lean in, step, lean out (on beats 1, 3, 5, and 7 respectively ) Abajo Dancers are in the QQS rhythm; leaders alternately forward rock and side rock while followers back rock twice. (After Abajo, Dile Que No is often called to get back into Guapea position.)
Exhibe Followers rock back and then forward toward middle of circle; pivot and turn around.
Exhibe Doble Do two Exhibes.
Evelyn Starts like Adios; leader brakes the lady's movement and then turns. DQN ends the step.
Flamenco----Starts like Adios, then leader turns as in Evelyn, and leads an Exhibe. DQN ends the move. This can also be started with a Vacila rather than an Adios.
MORE COMPLEX MOVES:
Siete The leader turns the follower right on beats 1 2 3 and then back on beats 5 6 7 so they face each other again at the end.
Siete con Coca Cola Do Siete and then lead the follower in a Coca Cola turn. The leaders turn too. They end back in Guapea position. (The amount of rotation in this Coca Cola turn is a little less than in a full Coca Cola turn because the follower is already facing outside the circle. So it’s a good way to be introduced to Coca Cola turns.)
Siete Moderno Do Siete; then the leader switches which of the follower’s hands is being held. Both partners turn left to face the center and follower moves in front and to the left of the leader so they are back in Guapea position.
Vacila Leader moves the follower to turn right on beat one and then disconnects their hands. Follower turns twice while also moving counter-clockwise half way around the leader. Note these are "walking turns" rather than spins in place. It ends with a Dile Que no, with partners back in Guapea position.
Vacilense los dos Like Vacila but the leader also turns (once or twice and either right or left) while the follower turns.
Vacila y dame Like Vacila but at the end, leaders “add” a Dame (i.e. move to a new partner)
Sombrero Hold two hands in a "cross hand hold" which means the leader's right hand is over the left. The leader’s right holds the follower’s right, and their left hands are also connected. Leaders lead the same turn as Vacila except hands remain connected. At the end of these turns, the leader’s and follower’s arms come over their heads. The move ends with Dile Que No.
Medio Sombrero Sombrero with only one hand connection: the leader’s right and follower’s right.
Dedo One hand is held in a cross hand-hold (leader’s right to follower’s right). Followers turn right while coming to the leader’s right side on beats 1 2 3. Then step in place on 5 6 7. Then do Enchufla on 1 2 3 and leader does a rondee staying in place. After another Enchufla both partners face the center. Ends with Dile Que No.
Montana Tap; hold two hands in a cross hand-hold. This is the same footwork as Dedo except that since you are holding two hands, arms are in a “sombrero position” overhead at the end.
Dedo Extended Do Dedo & go right into Montana with no basic in between. Great combination!
Dame Arriba Dame but move clockwise to the “upstream” to previous partner. Leaders need to face the direction of their movement on beat 7 before they start traveling on beat 1. They come to follower’s left side as usual, facing the center before doing the CBL. This requires quick movement!
Enchufla Arriba Enchufla, but do Dame arriba (instead of Dame una) at the end. (See above.)
Candado Do 2 Enchuflas while holding both hands. One arm goes over her head. Then the leader does a “Kentucky-like” turn with both arms going over the follower’s head. The leader marches clockwise around the circle with the follower behind. Their hands are connected at the leader’s shoulders. Then the leader turns 8 beats after Arriba is called. Leaders move to next lady if Taro is called. End with Dile que no (CBL).
Enchufla Con Vuelta or Festival de Enchufla Con Vuelta Do Enchufla or Festival de Enchufla, but whenever the leader moves to the next partner, the leader turns to the left while traveling.
Adios Con Vuelta or Festival de Adios Con Vuelta Do Adios or Festival de Adios, but whenever the leader moves to the next partner, leaders turn to the left while traveling.
Festival de Enchufla New York Do Enchufla, then Enchufla doble then Pa ti pa mi. But the latter step is altered to end with a Dame. Each of these steps is done with a new partner & no basic in between.
Casate Starts with Enchufla. Leads bring the follower behind them and then walk arm in arm. There are calls to switch the direction of the walk. End w/ Dile que no.
Enchufla al medio con dos Starts with Enchufla; then leaders go into the circle and around to the right of their partner. Then leads and follows alternate rocking into the circle. Dancers can then do La Flor where arms are raised when coming out of circle. They can also do treinta y tres or a similar move, where leaders move to right and ladies move left three times each, going in front of another dancer. (They can also move just once each or twice each). Many other figures can be danced from this position of leads and followers alternately rocking into the circle.
MOVING UP IN COMPLEXITY:
Balsero Tap step w/ two-handed cross hand-hold. Lady goes in front of the guy and to his right; then moves behind him to his left side. She circles around him this way in 8 beats. Then she comes in front of him, turning like Sombrero to end the step. Guys and gals change places several times in this step.
Beso Tap step & two-handed cross hand-hold. Lady goes around to guy’s right, then behind him to his left. Guy leaves his right arm down as she comes around and "hammerlocks" himself. He faces her and does an alarde over her head with an “air kiss” on beat 3 when she is on his left side. Then he turns to unwind. Ends w/ CBL.
Balsero y Beso Tap step w/ two-handed cross hand-hold. Start w/ first 8 beats of Balsero and then do the entire Beso step. This is a very nice combination step.
Abrazala Tap step w/ one-handed cross hand-hold. Starts like Beso but hold only one hand. Guys do an arm “chop” with the left arm on beat three, symbolizing a hug since it goes behind the lady’s back. This replaces the “air kiss” in Beso. This is basically like Beso but holding only one hand.
Cadeneta Group move that starts w/ Enchufla but man leads with right hand, then rondees 540 degrees (a turn and a half). He then back-rocks himself and the lady, and then turns her. She passes him as she moves clockwise around the circle. He continues to back-rock and turn successive partners while he moves counter-clockwise around the circle. After the turn he alternately “breaks” his arm and then hers. (Breaking an arm means putting it in a hammerlock position.) The step ends 8 beats after Dile que no is called.
Abanico Starts like the first 8 beats of Sombrero, but then guy turns the lady to the right in 4 beats. He turns himself to the right in the next 4 beats as he moves in a semicircle, coming to the lady’s right side to end the move. (No CBL to end.)
Sombrero Doble Starts like Sombrero, then do a CBL to get lady on the guy’s left. They do a “Sombrero on the other side.” Tap and go back to back. Lady comes to the guy's right side. Drape overhead, to her shoulder; end w/ CBL.
Dedo Guarapo y Bota Starts like Dedo and then guy turns and holds the lady around her waist. They turn around for 8 beats and he moves to the next partner.
Puente Starts like Enchufla, guys switch so they are leading w/ their right hand. Make a bridge with just the leader next to you (the circle is divided into sets of 2 couples for this move). Ladies swing under the bridge, back and forth. They come through with a turn the second time they go under. Then guys dame to the lady who was the partner of the leader they made a bridge with. This step is done in pairs of couples and caller designates who is paired together. If there are an odd number of couples, the last 3 couples form a bridge together & dame like a small circle. After the partner switch, end with CBL and reform the big circle.
Dedo Puente Start like Dedo but skip the last 8 beats. From there, go directly into forming a bridge and do the entire Puente step. This make a wonderful “combination step.”
Pasea You begin with Enchufla and then lady moves from the man’s right side to his left going in front of him. Then she moves from his left side to his right going behind him. End with CBL to resume basic. Arms always stay down at waist level in this step. This is often also added on to the end of other steps (like coca cola turns).
Vacila Entrada Do Vacila and then guys come in towards the center and move back to their right, around their partner in 4 beats. Ladies also go in towards the center and come back to their right, around the right side of their partner also in 4 beats. Guys “pick up” their original partners. Ends with CBL.
Siete Loco Starts like Siete. Ladies turn to their right facing outside the circle and tap, then guy takes her left hand over her shoulder and leads her to turn left moving around him. She comes in front of him and does a back to back turn, ending on his right side. Then there are 2 exhibes and a drape over his head. Ends with CBL.
Sombrero de Manny This starts like Sombrero. On the next beat one, the guy puts his right hand near her waist level on her left side, "asking for her hand." She gives him her right hand and he turns her around bringing her in front of him and to his left. Then he brings her behind him going from his left to his right. Ends w/ CBL.
Sombrero de Regnier Starts w/ first 8 beats of Sombrero. You do a "reverse" balsero where ladies move around the guys in front of them from the guy's right to his left, and behind him from his left to his right. Ends like Pasea y Complicate.
Dedo por debajo Start with the first 8 beats of Dedo. Then guy goes under his own arm in 4 beats and turns the lady in 4 beats. Then finish the rest of Dedo.
Dedo con de Rumbe Dedo except on the second 5, 6, and 7, the guy hops on one foot. Then to get onto the correct foot, he also steps on beat 8. Then he finishes Dedo.
Balsero Nuevo Just like balsero but after the first 8 beats, you backrock the lady on 1, 2, 3 and then do a fast sombrero turn in just 3 beats: 5, 6, 7.
La Confusion This is Vacila followed by 3 CBLs. At the end, leads and follows have switched places. The group dances in the gender reversed position until La Confusion is called again to switch back!
ADVANCED MATERIAL:
The movements at this level of complexity are so long, they will just be listed rather than described.
Setenta Complicado
Setenta Complicado with back to back turn
Setenta con Gancho
Setenta Nuevo
Noventa
Siete Loco Complicado
Uno Complicado
El Sabor (also called "Ponle Sabor")
Havana
La Sueter
Three Way Stop
Dedo Saboreado
Straight Jacket
Exhibe con Gancho
Azuquita
Puente Complicado
Kentucky Complicado
La Jenny
Straight Jacket
Bebe
Thalia
Guanabacoa
Rubenada
El Classico
La Cuadra
Lipton
El Sordo
Beso Complicado
Besito Largo
Setenta Complicado Derecha y al Revers
La Presa
Carnival
Carnival Unisex
Sabrosura
Consorte
Rubenada Complicado
Serpiente
Abanico Complicado
Abanico Complicado Complicado(not a mistake)
DanceInTime Moves
Triple Lock
Bonita
Sin Nombre
Promenade
La Presa Extended
L.A. de Glen
Carnival Complicado
Below is a syllabus that was developed around 2006
Beginners I
Guapea
Dame Una
Enchufla
Pelota Con Dos
Fly/2 Flies/Besitos
High 5/High 10
Suena/Bulla/Suena con Bulla
Beginners II
Adios
Uno
Enchufla Doble
Pelota con Clave
Pelota Loca
Festival de Adios/Enchufla
Photo
Dame Dos/Arriba/con Vuelta
Beginners III
Adios Arriba
Enchufla Arriba
Pa ti pa mi
Kentucky
Dame con las Manos
El Dos/Uno y Dos
Al Medio/Abajo/Dile que no
Exhibe/Exhibe Doble
Intermediate I
Candado
Puente
7/7 Moderno/7 con Coca Cola
Vacila/y Dame
Vacilense Los Dos
Enchufla al Medio con dos/33
Sombrero
Setenta
Dame con las Manos/Tranca/Hombres
Intermediate II
Balsero
Beso
Balsero y Beso
Dedo/Montana "Dedo Extended"
Coca Cola turns
Abrazala
Abanico
Dedo Puente
Dedo con de Rumbe
Dame Dos Arriba
Intermediate III
Pasea
Dedo por debajo
Sombrero de Manny/de Regnier
Siete Loco
Cadaneta
Sombrero Doble
La Jenny
Setenta Complicado
El Sabor
Noventa
Straight jacket
Advanced I
Setenta Nuevo
Havana
Sueter
Straight Jacket
Azuquita
Puente Complicado
Kentucky Complicado
Thalia
Rubenada
Beso Complicado
La Presa
Advanced II
Exhibe con Gancho
Siete Loco Complicado
L.A. de Glen
Classico
La Cuadra
Carnival/Carnival Extended
Carnival Unisex
Sabruosura
Serpiente
Advanced III
Guanabacoa (end of Bonita)
Lipton
Rubenada Complicado
Presa Extended
Confusion
Beso Largo
Sombrero de Regnier Doble
Triple Lock
Masters Level
Bonita
Promenade
El Sordo
Abanico Complicado
Abanico Complicado Complicado
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In September 2018, DIT created another syllabus listing, to organize moves taught in class at each level. The list is below. It is a little different from the above listing because moves come in and out of style and new moves and styles are developed over time…
Beginner One
Guapea (basic)
Dame
Dame con los Manos
Dile que no
Enchufla/Enchufla Doble
High 5 / High 10 / Fly /Dos Flies / Besitos
Foto
Pelota con Dos/Quatro
Rhythm Steps & Beginner One Extras
Suena (stomp)
Bulla (shout) / Bulla Doble / Suena con Bulla
Pelota Loca
Pelota con Clave
Beginner Two (“Bridge Class”)
Dame Dos / Dame Tres
Dame Arriba
Dame Dos con Dos
Dame Directo
Uno
Pa Ti Pa Mi
Adios
Adios con la Hermana
Kentucky
Candado
Sombrero
Sombrero con Mambo
Vacila
Enchufla con Mambo
Al medio
Abajo
Arriba Tiempo España
Un Taro
Beginner Two Extras
Adios Doble
Adios con Mambo
Festival de Adios
Festival de Enchufla
Enchufla Doble con
Mambo
Enchufla y Quedate (stay with partner)
Dame Directo Todos
Festival de Enchufla NewYork (Enchufla/Enchufla Doble/Pa Ti Pa Mi with partner change)
Intermediate One
Vacila
Vacilence los Dos
Vacila y Dame
Vacila Dame Giro
Dedo
Montana
Uno y Dos
Siete
Siete con Coca cola
Siete Moderno
Beso
Balsero
Setenta
Pasaela (“Pasea”)
Pasea al reves
Dame con Coca Cola
Exhibe (see combinations)
Abanico
Intermediate Extras
Chevaria
Abrazala
Sombrero con Mambo
Adios de Mentira
Festival de Vacila y Dame
Vacila Shine (use any shine)
Dedo Guarapo y Bota
Dedo Extended
Dame Dos Arriba
Dame no le Llegues
Enchufla Dame Giro
Bermuda Triangle
Babosa
Paseala Por Arriba
Intermediate Group Moves
Dame con las Manos/Tranca/Hombres/Enchufla (or Pa Ti Pa Mi) / 70 con las manos.
Enchufla al Medio con Dos/la Flor/33/22/0/8.
Enchufla Bikini
Enchufla Across (for 2 or 4 couples only)
Enchufla, 0 con la Vecina
Patine
Vacila Entrada
Puente
Amistad
Intermediate Combinations
Balsero y Beso
Dedo y Montana
Uno y Dos/Beso (or Montana)
Exhibe following: Pa'ti Pa'mi, Adios con la Hermana, Kentucky, Enchufla, Uno, Dedo, Montana, Beso, or 70.
Exhibe-Sententa.
Three moves blended: a. Uno, Montana, or Beso/b. Exhibe/c. Sombrero de Manny, Sombrero Doble, Sombrero de Regnier, or Juana la Cubana).
Dame/Dame con los Manos/Paseala/any tap move (i.e. Sombrero, Dedo, etc.)
Dedo/Puente
Intermediate Two
Sombrero de Manny
Sombrero Doble
Juana la Cubana
Setenta Complicado
70 Complicado al Derecho y al Reves
Setenta Nuevo
Siete Loco
3 Way stop
Coca Cola Turns (following most any move)
Inverted Circle (from Dile que no or other calls)
Favorite Latte
Advanced Moves
Cadaneta (group move)
La Rubenada
La Jenny
El Sabor
Bebe
Sombrero de Regnier
Siete Loco Complicaado
Paseala y Complicate
Montana Complicado
Beso Complicado / with Straight Jacket
Exhibe con Gancho
Kentucky Complicado
Balsero Nuevo
Uno Complicado
Puente Complicado
Puente al Reves
Thalia
La Cuadra
Azuquita
Classico
Advanced Extras:
Lipton
Serpiente
Shoulder Check / Long
Confusion (switch lead/follow)
Carnival Complicado
Rueda Structures such as LLanta-- Cantantes move to inner circle & are inverted. Calls apply to inner or outer circles unless “pequena" is also called (in which case moves are done by 2 couples lined up in inner/outer circles). Una Rueda is called to return all to outer circle.
DanceInTime Moves
Triple Lock
Bonita
Promenade
L. A. de Glen
Dedo with style
Dedo Speciale
L. A