How to Lead and Follow in Salsa Dancing

Leading and following in salsa is something that is important to learn. If you don't do this properly, you don't have the true, fluid partnership between the two dancers needed for salsa dancing. This article explores leading and following for men and women.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

For Men

1. Stand facing your partner with your feet about a shoulder's width apart.

2. Put your hands in the pistol grip position as you prepare to lead in salsa dancing. Point your index finger while you hold the rest of your fingers at a 90-degree angle to your palm.

3. Bend your arms at a 90-degree angle. You should find that your elbows rest naturally at your sides when you prepare to lead in salsa dancing.

4. Keep good arm tension in your arms so that you can effectively lead in salsa.

5. Push or pull forward and back when you are leading in salsa dancing. Because of the tension in your arms, your partner will push against you when you push, and pull against you when you pull, thus following your lead.

For Women

6. Stand before your partner with your feet about a shoulder's width apart when you prepare to follow in salsa dancing. You should be pretty close to your partner without your feet touching.

7. Place your hands over the man's bent fingers and let them rest there, your fingers curling.

8. Bend your arms so that your elbows naturally rest at your sides.

9. Keep tension in your arms so that you are effectively able to follow in salsa dancing.

10. Pull against your partner when he pulls and push against your partner when he pushes, maintaining the tension in your arms. If you do this while keeping your elbows at your sides, you will effectively follow in salsa dancing.