Salsa Steps For Crowded Dance Floors

1. Basic Steps in Place

(Start and end in closed position.)

Man

1. Step in place LF                                             Q

2. Step in place RF                                             Q

3. Step in place LF                                             S

4. Step in place RF                                             Q

5. Step in place LF                                             Q

6. Step in place RF                                             S

Lady

1. Step in place RF                                             Q

2. Step in place LF                                             Q
3. Step in place RF                                             S

4. Step in place LF                                             Q

 5. Step in place RF                                             Q

6. Step in place LF                                             S

 (Repeat ad lib.)

 2. Contra-Lunges

(Start and end in closed position)

Man

1. Lunge RF diagonally to the L, turning lady 1/4 L             S

2. Put RF back to close with LF, turning lady l/4 R             S

3. Lunge LF diagonally to the R, turning lady 1/4 R             S  

4. Put RF back to close with LF, turning lady 1/4 L             S

Lady

1. Lunge LF diagonally to the R, turning 1/4 L                           S

 2. Put LF back to close with RF, turning 1/4 R to face partner  S

3. Lunge RF diagonally to the L, turning 1/4 R                          S

4. Put LF back to close with RF, turning 1/4 L to face partner  S

(Repeat ad lib.)

The lead for the man in the contra lunges is that on step 2 the

man will let the lady's R arm go closer to his chest then her L

arm(which he pushes back). Steps 3 and 4 are the reverse of the

process.

3. The Lambada Special

 (This was borrowed from the lambada, the sexy dirty dance style

from Brazil, where man and woman maintain very close contact.

Begin and end this figure in lambada position; that is, with

chests touching each other, and heads very close to one another.)

Man

1. Lean front body forward, leading lady to dip slightly back    S

2. Return to straight position                                                  S  

3. Lean front body back, leading lady to dip slightly forward    S

4. Return to straignt position                                                   S

 Lady

1. Lean front body backward                                      S

2. Return to straight position                                       S

3. Lean front body forward                                        S

4. Return to straight position                                       S

 (Repeat ad lib.)

 Note: No footwork here; all of the movement is mainly in their

 upper bodies.

4. The Lambada Special(Variation)

(For this variation, the man's hands are behind the lady's back.)

Man

1. Squeeze lady's back with both arms                                    Q

2. Release squeeze but both arms are still behind lady's back    Q

3. Squeeze lady's back with both arms                                    Q

4. Release squeeze but both arms are still behind lady's back    Q

Lady

1-4. Lady stays put throughout figure with no foot movement. Hence

     timing here is not applicable.

(Repeat ad lib.)

 5. The Lambada-Style Reverse Turn

 (Start and end in lambada position, and make a continuous turn L

throughout. The turns should be almost on the spot.)

Man

1. Step in place LF                                              Q

2. Slightly to the side RF                                       Q

3. Close LF to RF                                                S

4. Slightly to the side RF                                       Q

5. Close LF to RF                                                Q

6. Slightly to the side RF                                       S      

Lady

1. Step in place RF                                              Q

2. Slightly to the side LF                                       Q

3. Close LF to RF                                                S

 4. Slightly to the side LF                                       Q

5. Close LF to RF                                                Q

6. Slightly to the side RF                                       S              

(Repeat ad lib. You can make a half reverse turn by turning a

little slowly, or you can make a full reverse turn by leading the

lady more to create a bigger amount of turn.)

6. The Lambada-Style Natural Turn

 (Start and end in lambada position, and make a continous turn R

throughout. Like the Lambada-Style Reverse Turn, this should be

done almost on the spot.)

Man

 1. Step in place RF                                              Q

 2. Slightly to the side LF                                       Q

3. Close LF to RF                                                S

4. Slightly to the side LF                                       Q

5. Close LF to RF                                                Q

 6. Slightly to the side RF                                       S              

Woman 

1. Step in place LF                                               Q

 2. Slightly to the side RF                                       Q

3. Close LF to RF                                                S

4. Slightly to the side RF                                       Q

5. Close LF to RF                                                Q

6. Slightly to the side RF                                       S      

(Repeat ad lib. You can make a half natural turn by turning a

little slowly, or you can make a full natural turn by leading the

lady more to create a bigger amount of turn.)

Note: This would be best if it is preceded by the first three

      steps of the Basic Steps in Place.

7. The Lunging Sides

(Start and end in regular closed position.)

Man

1. Lunge a little to the left, fully bending L knee                       Q

2. Hold position                                                                     Q

3. Straighten L knee, recover from lunge to normal position      S

4. Lunge a little to the right, fully bending R knee                     Q

5. Hold position                                                                      Q

6. Straighten R knee, recover from lunge to normal position      S

Woman

1. Lunge a little to the right, fully bending R knee                     Q

2. Hold position                                                                     Q 

3. Straighten R knee, recover from lunge to normal position      S

4. Lunge a little to the left, fully bending L knee                       Q

5. Hold position                                                                     Q

6. Straighten L knee, recover from lunge to normal position      S

(Repeat ad lib.)