Salsa
Side Basic
SalsaBeginnerFoundationsBoth
The basic, turned sideways. A lateral rock-step that sets up turns and adds variety without leaving home position.
This move builds: Timing …on the always-on four — Connection, Frame, Comfort, Posture.
- Entry
- open or closed, two-hand, facing
- Exit
- open or closed, two-hand, facing
- Tempo
- any
- Musical use
- filler
- Connector
- No
- Level
- Beginner
- Cluster
- Foundations
- Style
- Both
What This Move Is
Instead of breaking forward and back, the couple breaks out to the side, recovers, and closes — first to one side, then the other. It's a stationary variation that buys time, opens the body for styling, and is a natural launch pad into turns.
Key Points
- Lead: Send the side break clearly through your frame so the follow mirrors the correct direction.
- Follow: Break to the opposite side from the lead; return fully to centre each time rather than drifting.
- Timing: On1 break on 1 & 5; On2 on 2 & 6. Same lateral footwork either way.
- Common mistake: Travelling sideways across the floor instead of returning to centre — the side basic is stationary.
Style Notes
A relaxed, swaying option that reads beautifully on smoother passages of music and gives both dancers room to add hip and arm styling.
Chains into
After this, you can flow into…