Salsa

Cross-Body Lead with Inside Turn

The cross-body, spiced. A CBL where the follow spins toward the lead (left/inside) as she crosses the slot.

Tutorial by Marius & Elena OfficialWatch on YouTube ↗
Coach's notes — the how & why

What This Move Is

A standard cross-body lead in which the lead raises the L-to-R hand and sends the follow into a left (toward-the-lead) turn of about one-and-a-half rotations as she travels down the slot. Same travel as a plain CBL, with a spin layered into the crossing.

Key Points

  • Lead: Raise the hand early and keep it up over her head — don't drag the arm down through the turn.
  • Follow: Travel first, then turn left under the arm; don't spin in place — you must still cover the slot.
  • Timing: On1 prep on 1, spin 2-3, resolve 5-6-7. On2 the same on 2 & 6.
  • Common mistake: Raising the hand too late or pulling it down (jams the turn), or over-spinning past the slot.

Style Notes

"Inside" = follow turns toward the lead = a left/counter-clockwise turn. The most common decorated CBL; sharper on On1, smoother on On2.

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

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