Bachata
Travelling / Barrel Turn
Also known as: Barrel turn (salsa-borrowed name), walk-around turn — flag contested
Walk a wide arc together. A curved walk-around turn that repositions both partners across the floor.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
A wide, curved walk-around where the follow (or both partners) travels around an arc across the floor, often resolving into a hammerlock. The 'barrel turn' name is borrowed from salsa and is used loosely in bachata.
Key Points
- Lead: Lead a wide curved walk so the follow travels around an arc; you can also walk around her.
- Follow: Keep your thighs together and travel on the curve while spotting; stay on axis.
- Timing: Spans a full 8 or more.
- Common mistake: Losing the circular path, or the follow opening her legs and drifting off-axis.
Style Notes
Naming flag: borrowed term. A big travelling move for an open stretch of floor; frequently feeds straight into a hammerlock.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Musical use
- Level
- Advanced
- Type
- Frame
- Style
Chains into
After this, you can flow into…
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One way to flow
Go deeper with your coach
Own Travelling / Barrel Turn, then make it yours
This page is free, always. Your online coach goes further on every move you own — styling that makes it look like you, variations to keep it fresh, and how to hit it on the music.
- Styling
- Variations
- Musicality