Bachata

Right Turn / Inside Turn

Also known as: Inside turn, underarm turn (inside/outside naming is school-dependent — flag)

The workhorse turn. The follow's underarm turn from an open hand hold — the most-used turn in bachata.

Tutorial by Ballroom FeedWatch on YouTube ↗
Coach's notes — the how & why

What This Move Is

The follow's underarm turn from an open L-to-R hand hold, the most common turn in social bachata. The lead raises the connected hand and leads the follow around, usually changing the hand connection on exit.

Key Points

  • Lead: Raise the connected hand and lead the body — not the arm — around; prep on the tap, then send.
  • Follow: Prep, spot, turn under the arm across the travelling counts, and collect on the tap.
  • Timing: Prep on 4 or 8, turn across 1-2-3, resolve on the tap.
  • Common mistake: Lead yanking the arm instead of framing the body; follow over-rotating or failing to spot.

Style Notes

A CONNECTOR because it changes hand connection (L-to-R to R-to-R). Inside vs outside naming differs by school — define it for your students once and stay consistent.

Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.

Musical use
Accent
Frame
Open
Style
Modern

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