Details on Specific Steps For All Levels
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Below is a sampling of some basic, intermediate, and advanced moves. These notes combine short descriptions, references, and common teaching points for an array of moves. They are not meant to replace in-person instruction, but they can help dancers review the moves, recall key details, and avoid common mistakes.
When a video is provided, the written description will make much more sense if the reader watches the video first. For the more advanced moves the videos when provided are essential to watch.
The descriptions generally assume a Miami-style approach to Rueda. Dancers trained in other styles may use slightly different footwork and technique.
In these notes, “leader” and “follower” refer to dance roles. Anyone can learn either role, and dancers who know both parts are especially valuable in a Rueda circle.
Readers interested in more detail can find hundreds of additional moves with videos in my book, Salsa Dancing & Rueda de Casino Guidebook for Beginner to Advanced Dancers. The book has information on both Casino steps and L.A. Salsa steps.
In any case, below are three useful videos of common beginner and “early intermediate” Rueda de Casino moves. Then below that, is information on individual moves.
youtu.be/z6jqT83-IL0 This is Instructional Cuban Salsa (Rueda de Casino) Video Part 1. It explains Basic, Dame, Fly, Besitos, and Enchufla. These are the most basic moves and they are described for “novice” dancers below, in Section A.
youtu.be/TTibS0sXZ0E This is Instructional Cuban Salsa (Rueda de Casino) Video Part 2. It explains Pelota Con Dos, Pelota Con Quatro, Enchufla con Mambo, Festival de Enchufla, Adios, Uno, Enchufla Doble, Foto, and Dame Dos.
youtu.be/fCDkrIV0ccw This is Instructional Cuban Salsa (Rueda de Casino) Video Part 3. It covers Pa’ti Pa’mi, Adios con La Hermana, Kentucky, Pelota Loca , Enchufla con Exhibe, Adios Arriba, Enchufla Arriba, and Candado.
—————-Basic Moves
Guapea — Basic Step
Guapea is the basic step used in Rueda de Casino. It’s important to know that there are about several different ways to guapea. The way I teach it, which is the simplest one, has couples standing around the arc of a circle so that leaders have their right shoulder toward the center and followers have their left shoulder toward the center.
In the basic handhold, the leader’s left hand holds the follower’s right hand. On beat 5, both partners gently press their free hands against each other, and then release. This small contact helps partners feel connected.
Basic timing:
Beats 1, 2, 3: Step back and together. (The foot that's outside of the circle moves back, away from the partner.)
Beats 5, 6, 7: Step forward and together. (The foot that is inside the circle moves forward.) Leaders step slightly diagonally forward and to the right so partners’ feet do not collide.
Dame / Dame Una
Note that the material below will make more sense after watching this video: youtu.be/z6jqT83-IL0
Dame is one of the most important Rueda moves. Leaders move counterclockwise around the Rueda circle, going to the next follower. They finish with a Cross Body Lead, also called Dile Que No.
Basic structure:
Beat 1: Dame is called.
Beats 5, 6, 7: Leaders turn right to face the follower behind them. Followers turn left to face the center.
Beats 1, 2, 3: Leaders travel to the next partner which followers either take a small backrock or step slightly forward into the circle.
Beats 5, 6, 7: Cross Body Lead / Dile Que No.Leaders should guide the follower gently through the Cross Body Lead. They do not push the follower through the whole movement; momentum carries the follower forward.
Dame Otra
Dame Otra means “another Dame.” It is called after an initial Dame.
Dile Que No
Dile Que No is the ending used in many Rueda moves. The follower travels across in front of the leader, and the partners return to Guapea position. This does not involve a partner exchange.
Fly / Two Flies / High Five / High Ten / Besitos
Videos:
youtu.be/z6jqT83-IL0
Fly example: youtu.be/U8PCIvmXH6Y, 0:39–0:43
Besito example: youtu.be/TDPs6DC16zM, 1:02–1:05These are simple, fun rhythm moves. Dancers turn to face the person who was behind them in the circle, do the action on beat 1, then return to Guapea.
Examples:
Fly: Clap once, as if catching a fly ball.
Two Flies: Clap on beats 1 and 2.
High Five: High five with the free hand.
High Ten: High ten with both hands.
Besitos: Give an air kiss, without contact.Teaching tip: These moves are excellent for practicing rhythm. Leaders turn right, followers turn left, everyone does the action described above on beat 1 or beats 1 and 2, and dancers return to the basic step on beat 5.
Suena / Bulla / Bulla Doble / Suena y Bulla
These are rhythm calls added during Guapea.
Suena: Stomp on beat 5.
Bulla: Shout on beat 5.
Bulla Doble: Shout on beats 5 and 6.
Suena y Bulla: Stomp and shout on beat 5.These fun calls help dancers feel the rhythm and add energy to the circle.
Foto
In Foto, dancers hold a pose for 8 beats (from beat one to the next beat one). Some groups do this as a playful “photo” moment, with the leader pretending to take a picture while the follower strikes a pose. In recent years, “Selfie” has been called sometimes. That is a pose where, of course, dancers hold an imaginary camera and pretend to take a photo of themselves. (What will those crazy Rueda dancers think of next??)
Enchufla
Video: youtu.be/z6jqT83-IL0
Enchufla is an essential Rueda move. It starts with an underarm turn and is often followed by the leader moving to the next partner. Many intermediate and advanced Rueda patterns use Enchufla as a building block.
Teaching tip: The turn should not be done very slowly; it has to be done by beat 4. Beginners often turn too slowly, which can put them behind the music.
Enchufla Doble
Enchufla Doble starts like Enchufla, but adds a push-back section before completing the move. It is a useful early step because it teaches dancers how one basic pattern can be expanded to make a longer, more complex move.
Pelota con Dos / Pelota con Cuatro
Video: youtu.be/TTibS0sXZ0E
These moves begin with Enchufla and then add two or four stomps and claps before the leader moves to the next partner.
Pelota Loca
Video: youtu.be/fCDkrIV0ccw
Pelota Loca begins with Enchufla and then adds an 8 beat stomp-and-clap pattern before the leader moves to the next partner.
Pelota con Clave
This move begins with Enchufla. Then both partners stand still and clap the 3-2 clave rhythm in 8 beats. This involves clapping on beats 1, the second half of beat 2, 4, 6, and 7. Then partners do a Dame to end this move.
Adios
Adios starts with an embrace and a short turn. The leader then releases the follower’s arm overhead and moves to the next partner.
Teaching tip: There are different ways to hold the partner in Adios. One comfortable option is to use a ballroom-style frame on beat 3, similar to what ballroom dancers call a back-spot turn position. Some Rueda dancers stand nearly hip to hip. Multiple body positions work for this move.
Pa’ Ti Pa’ Mi
Video: youtu.be/fCDkrIV0ccw
Pa’ Ti Pa’ Mi is essentially three Enchuflas in a row with the same partner. It is simple in concept, but beautiful in performance.
Teaching tip: Dancers need to move through each Enchufla quickly enough to be ready for the next one. Lowering and raising the arms between Enchuflas can help mark the rhythm.
Adios con la Hermana
Video: youtu.be/fCDkrIV0ccw
This move starts like Adios and ends with two Enchuflas, somewhat like Pa’ Ti Pa’ Mi. It ends with Dile Que No (“DQN”); there is no partner change.
Dame Dos / Dame Tres
Video: youtu.be/TTibS0sXZ0E, 13:35–13:45
Dame Dos is like Dame, but the leader skips one follower and goes to the next one. Dame Tres means the leader skips two followers and picks up the third.
Teaching tip: Dame Dos is rhythmically the same as Dame, but the leader travels farther. This is one move where larger steps are necessary.
Dame Dos con Uno / Dame Dos con Dos
Dame Dos con Uno means Dame Dos with one clap. Dame Dos con Dos means Dame Dos with two claps.
Different groups sometimes clap on different beats. That variety can make the rhythm more interesting and fun. The common patterns are for claps to be on beats 7 and 8 or on beats 1 and 2.
Dame Arriba
Performance example: youtu.be/TDPs6DC16zM
Dame Arriba is like Dame, but the leader moves clockwise, or “upstream,” to the previous partner.
Teaching tip: The challenge is getting all the way to the follower’s left side in time for the Cross Body Lead.
Dame con las Manos
This is a group move with repeated Cross Body Leads. Followers rock back and then do Cross Body Leads repeatedly while leaders rock forward and lead the movement.
Kentucky
Video: youtu.be/fCDkrIV0ccw
Kentucky is a cuddle-position move that ends with Dile Que No.
Teaching tip: Leaders need to turn fully around to face the center before the Dile Que No. The leader’s right hand should stay on the shoulder while only the left arm goes overhead. This gives the move a sharper look. Also, leaders need to turn fully around to face the center before the Dile Que No.
El Uno / El Dos / Uno y Dos
Videos:
youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
Performance example: youtu.be/TDPs6DC16zM, 0:04–0:19El Uno: Partners move side to side with followers in front.
El Dos: Partners move side to side with leaders in front.
Uno y Dos: Starts with Uno and continues directly into Dos within the same move—very cool!Festival de Enchufla
Festival de Enchufla is three Enchuflas in a row, each with a different partner and no basic step in between.
Festival de Adios
Festival de Adios is three Adios moves in a row, each with a different partner and no basic step in between.
Al Medio
In Al Medio, leaders and followers switch positions and lean in and out of the circle.
Abajo
In Abajo, dancers step in the usual quick-quick-slow rhythm. Leaders alternate forward rocks and side rocks while followers usually back-rock twice. This move, like Guapea, can be done in a few different movement patterns. Dile Que No may be called afterward to return to Guapea position.
Exhibe / Exhibe Doble
In Exhibe, the follower moves toward the center, pivots, and turns around. Exhibe Doble means two Exhibes.
Evelyn
Evelyn starts like Adios. The leader stops the follower’s movement and then the leader does a turn. The move ends with Dile Que No.
Flamenco
Flamenco starts like Adios, then adds an Evelyn-style leader turn and an Exhibe. It ends with Dile Que No. This move can also start with Vacila instead of Adios.
More Complex Moves
Siete
Video: youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
In Siete, the leader turns the follower right, then back again so that partners face each other.
Siete con Coca Cola
Siete con Coca Cola begins with Siete and adds a Coca Cola-style turn. The amount of rotation is usually less than in a full Coca Cola turn, so this can be a useful introduction to that turning action.
Siete Moderno
Siete Moderno begins with Siete, then adds a hand switch. Both partners turn left to face the center and return to Guapea position.
Teaching tip: Followers should keep their hands easy to find, especially during quick transitions. That is particularly important for this move, but it’s also good general advice!
Sombrero
Sombrero uses a two-hand cross hold. This means that the leader’s right hand holds the follower’s right hand and their left hands are connected. The leader’s right hand goes over the leader’s left hand.
The follower does two right turns while moving in front and of and to the right side of the leader. Those turns happen in 8 beats. Leaders move slightly to their left to shorten the path the follower has to travel. The hands remain connected. At the end, the leader’s and follower’s arms come overhead, and the move finishes with a release of the hands and a Dile Que No.
Teaching tip: Sombrero uses walking turns, not spins in place. The follower should steadily travel while turning.
Medio Sombrero
Medio Sombrero is a one-hand version of Sombrero, usually using the leader’s right hand to the follower’s right hand.
Vacila
Video: youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
Vacila is similar to Sombrero, but the partners release their hands after the leader leads teh follower to start turning.
Vacílense los Dos
Vacílense los Dos is like Vacila, but the leader also turns. Leaders may turn right or left and may do one or two turns.
Vacila y Dame
Vacila y Dame starts like Vacila, but ends with the leader moving to a new partner.
Dedo
Dedo begins with a one-hand cross-handhold. The follower turns to the leader’s right side in a step pattern that is similar to Sombrero, then the move continues with Enchufla-like actions and ends with Dile Que No.
Montaña
Montaña is similar to Dedo, but both hands are held in a cross handhold. Because both hands stay connected, the arms end in a Sombrero-like overhead position.
Dedo Extended
Video: youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
Dedo Extended combines Dedo and Montaña with no basic step in between. It begins with a one-hand cross handhold, then changes to a two-hand cross handhold for Montaña.
Enchufla Arriba
Enchufla Arriba starts with Enchufla and ends with Dame Arriba instead of the usual Dame.
Candado
Video: youtu.be/fCDkrIV0ccw
Candado is a two-hand Enchufla pattern with a Kentucky-like turn. Then partners walk clockwise around the circle. The dancers’ hands remain connected near the leader’s shoulders. When Arriba is called, partners start walking in the counter-clockwise direction. Then DQN is called which ends the step.
Teaching tip: After the Kentucky-like turn, dancers sometimes stomp so loudly that they can’t hear the music as well and they step off-beat. To avoid this, step lightly and keep listening carefully to the beat.
Enchufla con Vuelta
Enchufla con Vuelta is Enchufla with the leader turning while traveling to the next partner.
Adios con Vuelta
Adios con Vuelta is Adios with the leader turning while traveling to the next partner.
Festival de Enchufla New York
This move combines Enchufla, Enchufla Doble, and a modified Pa’ Ti Pa’ Mi, with partner changes and no basic step in between. Each move is done with a different partner sequentially.
Casate
Casate starts with Enchufla. The leader brings the follower behind and the partners walk arm-in-arm. The caller may call changes in the direction of the walk. The move ends with Dile Que No.
Enchufla al Medio con Dos
This move starts with Enchufla, then moves into alternating rocks toward the center. From this position, groups can add other figures such as La Flor or Treinta y Tres before they return to Guapea.
Still More Complex Moves
When a video of these moves is provided, it is essential to watch it, in order to understand the step.
Balsero
Video: youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
Balsero begins with a tap step and a two-hand cross hold. The follower circles all the way around the leader and then does a Sombrero turn ending with DQN.
Beso
Video: youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
Beso follows a pathway similar to Balsero, but adds an air kiss and an unwind. It ends with Dile Que No.
Balsero y Beso
Balsero y Beso starts with the first 8 beats of Balsero and then continues with the full movement in Beso. It is a very nice combination step.
Abrazala
Abrazala is a one-handed version of Beso. Instead of the air kiss, the leader makes a symbolic “hug” action behind the follower’s back.
Abanico
Video: youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
Abanico starts like Sombrero, then adds a follower turn and a leader turn in an arc. It does not end with the usual Cross Body Lead.
Puente
Videos:
youtu.be/Y-FxQSPU16w, 2:15–2:26
youtu.be/TDPs6DC16zM, 1:12–1:24Puente is a two-couple bridge move. If done in a big circle, the caller identifies which pair of couples are to do the move together. The two leaders who are paired together then join hands to form a bridge, and their followers travel back and forth under the bridge. The followers turn left after the second time they go under. Leaders then change partners and the larger circle reforms.
This move works especially well in performances.
Dedo Puente
Dedo Puente starts like Dedo but after 16 beats goes directly into Puente at the point where the two leaders are joining hands. This is a beautiful and fun combination move.
Pasea / Paseala / Paseala al Revés
Video: youtu.be/RvY2WD6P4Sw, 1:31–1:41
Pasea begins with Enchufla. Then the follower circles around the leader from the leader’s front to the leader’s back. The move ends with Dile Que No.
In Paseala al Revés, the leader reverses the follower’s direction when the follower is behind him on his right side (as he faces the center). The move finishes with Enchufla y Quédate, which is an Enchufla but DQN at the end replaces the usual Dame.
Vacila Entrada
Vacila Entrada starts with Vacila. Then leaders enter toward the center and circle around the right side of their partner. Next the followers circle around in front and to the right side of their leader. Leaders pick up their original partners and finish with Dile Que No.
Sombrero de Manny
Video: youtu.be/SWHzOilJzT8
Sombrero de Manny starts with 8 beats of Sombrero. The the leader asks for the follower’s hand which is a standard dance gesture. Once they are holding hands, he leads her completely around his body and back to Guapea position.
Dedo con de Rumbe
Dedo con de Rumbe is a Dedo variation in which the leader hops on one foot for a few beats at the end of the second set of 8 beats. The rest of the move is done like a standard Dedo.
Balsero Nuevo
Balsero Nuevo is a Balsero variation. After the first 8 beats, the leader back-rocks the follower for 3 beats and then leads the Sombrero turns in beats 5 6 7. It ends with DQN.
La Confusión
La Confusión is Vacila followed by three Cross Body Leads. At the end, leaders and followers have switched places. The group dances in these reversed roles until La Confusión is called again to switch back.
Enchufla con Bikini
Video: youtu.be/fku5P6H5okk, 3:21–4:08
Enchufla con Bikini is a lively move with several possible follower patterns. Different groups may use different versions, and some groups enjoy creating their own variations.
Seriously Advanced Moves
La Jenny
Video: youtu.be/vkR0QK20hOY
La Jenny is shown in full in the video.
La Rubenada
Video: youtu.be/e1aiku30dn0
La Rubenada includes what I call the “funky turn,” because the hammerlock position switches from one arm to the other. This is an advanced but fairly standard Rueda action.
Beso Complicado with Straight Jacket
Video: youtu.be/1Wa3449GRrk
This is Beso with a Complicado ending. It can be done with or without the Straight Jacket component.
Balsero Extended
Video: youtu.be/RvY2WD6P4Sw, 1:15–1:42
Balsero Extended combines Balsero, part of Sombrero Doble, part of back-to-back Dedo, and Paseala al Revés.
Kentucky Complicado
Video: youtu.be/s-E0ZmW6-EAb, 17:42–18:06
Kentucky Complicado is an advanced variation of Kentucky. The hook-and-unhook action gives the move a strong visual effect.
Bebe
Video: youtu.be/eaad-AVKmaE
Bebe is a long combination move using pieces of Balsero y Beso, Exhibe, reverse Balsero, a back-to-back turn, and Abanico.
Siete Loco Complicado
Video: youtu.be/s-E0ZmW6-EA Walk-through: 13:18–14:42; Two-couple example: 15:18–15:48
Siete Loco Complicado begins with Siete Loco and ends with Setenta Nuevo. The video shows that experienced leaders may handle parts of the move slightly differently, and both approaches can work.
Thalia
Videos:
youtu.be/GREIyDzSur4, 0:38 to end
facebook.com/nalers/videos/1806364171513/?t=81, 0:07–0:26
youtu.be/3p356ZIobI4, about 0:30Thalia is a longer advanced move that is easiest to learn by watching the videos. The Facebook version is especially clear because the music is slower.
El Sabor / Ponle Sabor
Video: youtu.be/s-E0ZmW6-EA, 16:30–16:49
El Sabor, also called Ponle Sabor, is shown in performance in the video.
Dedo Saboreado
Video: youtu.be/jzn4ZS6BnBY
Dedo Saboreado starts like Dedo and ends like El Sabor.
Calvo
Video: youtu.be/WH7_HFX4nf4, 1:05–1:59
Calvo means “bald.” I learned this move in Cuba. Although it is short, it requires quick movement and strong timing.
General Technique Notes
Moves with a Tap on Beat 8
The tap on beat 8 can confuse dancers, especially those used to stepping only on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7. The tap is optional in some moves, but if you do it, keep the knee bent and avoid putting too much weight on the tapped foot. The important thing is to be ready to step clearly on the next beat.
Blending Moves
Blending means the next move is called before the previous one fully ends, so dancers go directly into the next move with no basic step in between. This makes the Rueda feel faster, more exciting, and more advanced.