Salsa
Cross-Body Lead with Outside Turn
The flashier cross-body. A CBL where the follow spins away from the lead (right/outside) as she crosses.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
A cross-body lead using the right hand on the follow's left (or right), raised to spin her to the right — away from the lead — about one-and-a-half rotations (sometimes a double) as she travels the slot. Harder than the inside turn because the hand lead is less intuitive.
Key Points
- Lead: Be precise about which hand leads it; a mistimed lead sends the follow the wrong way.
- Follow: Turn right/outward under the arm while still covering the slot — don't crowd back into the lead's space.
- Timing: On1 prep on 1, spin 2-3, resolve 5-6-7. On2 the same on 2 & 6.
- Common mistake: Confusing which hand leads it; under-travelling so the couple ends up cramped.
Style Notes
"Outside" = follow turns away from the lead = a right/clockwise turn. A natural feeder into hammerlocks and wraps because the follow's arm is already winding.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
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- Intermediate
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