How to Do Salsa Side Rock Dancing Steps

Once you've learned the basic front and back steps in salsa dancing and you have the basic rhythm down you can move onto side steps and combinations. The rock step is a simple shifting of the weight that you can do to the front and back or to either side that can add new elements to your salsa routine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find the basic salsa rhythm. Begin doing the basic step forward and backward: step forward with the left foot, step down onto your right foot in place and bring your left foot back together with the right. Step back with the right foot, step down onto your left foot in place and bring your right foot together with the left.

2. Rock step left and right. Step out left on the ball of your foot, shifting your weight over your left hip. Shift your weight to the right foot in a rocking motion, not moving either foot. Rock back and forth, practicing the motion, and repeat on the right side.

3. Do the side rock forward dancing step. Step to the left side on the ball of your left foot. Rock back to your right foot, still in place. Step your left foot forward to finish the step. Repeat on the right side, bringing your right foot out, rocking back to your left foot and stepping forward with your right.

4. Add a side rock cross step for more difficulty. Standing with your feet together, bring your right foot over your left, crossing and shifting the weight to your right foot. Rock back onto your left foot, picking up your right foot to step back to the right. Repeat on the other side, crossing your left foot over your right, rocking back onto your right foot and then uncrossing your left foot to step to the left side.

5. Move your hips to show extra movement in your salsa steps. Every time you rock, roll your hips slightly as you shift your weight, counting 1-2-3-4, step-rock-step-hold.

6. Practice these salsa side rock dancing steps to perfect them and really get into the salsa rhythm.