Salsa

Outside Turn (Open Position)

SalsaIntermediateTurnsBothconnector

A travelling right turn. The follow does a cross-body and spins away from the lead, often twice.

This move builds: Frame …on the always-on four — Connection, Frame, Comfort, Posture.

Tutorial by Dance PapiWatch on YouTube ↗
Entry
open, R-to-L, facing
Exit
open, R-to-L, facing (shifted)
Tempo
medium
Musical use
filler/accent
Connector
Yes — connects open, R-to-L, facing → open, R-to-L, facing (shifted) vocabulary
Level
Intermediate
Cluster
Turns
Style
Both

What This Move Is

The follow does a cross-body and turns to the right — away from the lead — about one-and-a-half rotations (commonly a double). The lead uses the right hand on the follow's left, raised to spin her clockwise as she travels.

Key Points

  • Lead: Be clear which hand leads it; raise to send her clockwise and away as she travels.
  • Follow: Rotate right about 1.5 (or 2) times while covering the slot; don't under-travel into the lead's space.
  • Timing: On1 prep on 5, resolve on 7. On2 prep on 2/6, resolve on 5.
  • Common mistake: Confusing the leading hand; under-travelling so the couple crowds.

Style Notes

Outside = away from the lead = right/clockwise. From a cross-body, the lady's underarm right turn essentially IS the outside turn — name it by whether it travels the slot.

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