There are many ways to dance an underarm turn in Salsa. This is the most basic of all turns, danced by the lady. It is an essential part of any Salsa dancer's repertoire.
The lady takes the turn in place of her forward rock step. She begins and ends facing the man, taking one full turn over the course of three steps (LRL), counted Quick-Quick-Slow. She will pass under the arm sometime between the Quick and the Slow count.
The man leads the underarm turn as he takes his back rock. The turn is lead by raising his left hand to approximately her eye level, and then circling the hand around her head in a clockwise direction.
STEP#
COUNT
DESCRIPTION
NOTES
Begin
Closed or open facing position, lady's right hand in your left.
1
Quick
Left foot forward.
Swing left arm downward.
2
Quick
Replace weight to right foot.
3
Slow
Left foot closes to right foot.
Return arm to normal position.
4
Quick
Right foot back.
Begin to lead lady to turn right.
5
Quick
Replace weight to left foot.
Continue leading lady to turn right under raised left hand.
6
Slow
Right foot closes to left foot.
Return left hand to normal position.
STEP#
COUNT
DESCRIPTION
NOTES
Begin
Closed or open facing position, your right hand in man's left.
1
Quick
Right foot back.
Swing right arm downward.
2
Quick
Replace weight to left foot.
3
Slow
Right foot closes to left foot.
Return arm to normal position.
4
Quick
Left foot forward.
Begin to turn right.
5
Quick
Right foot forward, away from partner.
Continue turning to right under raised right hand.
6
Slow
Left foot closes to right foot.
Continue turning, completing 1 full turn to right between 4-6.
