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.

Tutorial by Dance PapiWatch on YouTube ↗
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.

Musical use
AccentFiller
Type
Position Changes★ Signature
Frame
Open
Style
Any

Chains into

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