Salsa
Outside Turn (Open Position)
A travelling right turn. The follow does a cross-body and spins away from the lead, often twice.
Coach's notes — the how & why
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.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
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