5. Cross Body Lead

Yet another essential part of the Salsa dancer's repertoire, the Cross Body Lead is a turning version of the basic step, giving dancers more liberty to move freely around the dance floor.

The Cross Body Lead is normally danced with a total of 1/2 turn to the left, but most interesting is the difference of timing between the man and lady's turn: The man will first turn away from the lady, and she will turn later. This results in the lady passing briefly in front of the man, giving the Cross Body Lead its name.

Fig. 1 - Cross Body Position
Man turns away from lady, leading her to dance in front of his body from his right side to his left.

5b. Cross Body Lead - Open Pos.

As an alternative to the basic closed position, the Cross Body Lead can also be danced in open facing position using a one- or two-hand hold.

5. Cross Body Lead
STEP#	COUNT	DESCRIPTION	NOTES
Begin		Closed facing position.

1	Quick	Left foot forward.	Swing left arm downward.
2	Quick	Replace weight to right foot.
3	Slow	Left foot side.	1/4 turn to left between 2-3, turning perpendicular to lady (Cross-Body position). Extend left arm slightly outward.

4	Quick	Right foot back.
5	Quick	Replace weight to left foot.
6	Slow	Right foot closes to left foot.	1/4 turn to left over 4-6.
5b. Cross Body Lead - Open Pos.
STEP#	COUNT	DESCRIPTION	NOTES
Begin		Open facing position, two-hand hold.

1	Quick	Left foot forward.	Swing left arm downward.
2	Quick	Replace weight to right foot.
3	Slow	Left foot side.	1/4 turn to left between 2-3, turning perpendicular to lady (Cross-Body position). Extend left arm slightly outward.

4	Quick	Right foot back.
5	Quick	Replace weight to left foot.
6	Slow	Right foot closes to left foot.	1/4 turn to left over 4-6.

5. Cross Body Lead
STEP#	COUNT	DESCRIPTION	NOTES
Begin		Closed facing position.

1	Quick	Right foot back.	Swing right arm downward.
2	Quick	Replace weight to left foot.
3	Slow	Right foot forward.	Extend right arm slightly outward. Do not turn; Allow man to turn away from you (Cross Body position).

4	Quick	Left foot forward.	Begin to turn to left.
5	Quick	Right foot back.	1/2 turn to left between 4-5.
6	Slow	Left foot closes to right foot.
5b. Cross Body Lead - Open Pos.
STEP#	COUNT	DESCRIPTION	NOTES
Begin		Open facing position, two-hand hold.

1	Quick	Right foot back.	Swing right arm downward.
2	Quick	Replace weight to left foot.
3	Slow	Right foot forward.	Extend right arm slightly outward. Do not turn; Allow man to turn away from you (Cross Body position).

4	Quick	Left foot forward.	Begin to turn to left.
5	Quick	Right foot back.	1/2 turn to left between 4-5.
6	Slow	Left foot closes to right foot.