Salsa
Hand Toss / Hand Change
Swap the hold without a turn. A downward toss that changes which hand is joined or passes the hand behind the back.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
Connecting at the wrist, the lead makes a small circle and tosses the hand downward and slightly back so the arm ends behind the follow — or, to change hands, tosses down, lets her continue, and re-collects with the other hand. The key is that the intention is down, not sideways, so it doesn't read as a turn.
Key Points
- Lead: Toss downward, not horizontally — a sideways toss makes the follow spin by mistake.
- Follow: Receive the toss, continue the down/behind motion yourself, and offer the hand back; don't read it as a turn.
- Timing: On1 prep on 7, execute on the following 3; On2 prep on 8, break on 2.
- Common mistake: Tossing too horizontally so the follow reads it as a turn.
Style Notes
A snappy little accent that quietly re-tools your hold so a different family of moves becomes legal. Sharp and percussive on a music hit.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Type
Position Changes★ Signature- Frame
Open- Style
Any
Chains into
After this, you can flow into…
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Own Hand Toss / Hand Change, 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
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