Salsa
Sombrero
Place the hat. Two walking right turns ending with both arms drawn overhead like putting on a hat.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
Sombrero = "hat." Preserved verbatim from the user's inventory. From a two-hand cross-hold, the lead walks the follow through two right (walking) turns to his right, steps slightly left to shorten her path, then brings both arms overhead to "place the hat" before releasing into Dile Que No. The launcher for a whole family (Balsero, Montaña, Vacila).
Key Points
- Lead: Use walking turns, not spins in place; step left to shorten her path; draw both arms overhead cleanly.
- Follow: Take two travelling right turns in front of and to the lead's right, both hands connected, arms overhead before the resolution.
- Timing: Turns over ~8 beats (1-2-3 / 5-6-7); arms overhead/release on the final 5-6-7, then Dile Que No.
- Common mistake: Treating it as spins-in-place instead of walking turns; lead forgetting to step left to shorten her path.
Style Notes
The "hat" placement is the signature look — make it deliberate. A cornerstone figure that opens up the entire sombrero family.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
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