Salsa
Ocho (8)
The figure-eight. The lead weaves a figure-eight around the follow while she steps in and out.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
Ocho = "eight" (also El Ocho). A widely-taught Siete-family extension: the lead enters via an enchufla, then walks in front of the follow, around her back, and front again on the right, returns around the back to the original partner, and resolves with a Dile Que No to the left — tracing a figure-eight on the floor.
Key Points
- Lead: Trace the eight cleanly — walk in front, around back, front, back — and keep the follow's in/out timing.
- Follow: Step forward when the lead is behind you, back when he comes around front; weave the eight.
- Timing: Multi-phrase walking figure; the weave drives the count; resolves with Dile Que No.
- Common mistake: Follow not switching forward/back in sync with the lead's path, collapsing the "eight."
Style Notes
A travelling figure that covers ground with a clear visual shape. Minor step-detail variation exists; a gendered "Ocho Mujeres" variant also appears.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Musical use
- Level
- Intermediate
- Type
- Frame
- Style
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Own Ocho (8), 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.
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