On this page, we have compiled a list of turn techniques used in other dance such as Swing, Merengue, Waltz, Cha Cha and Rumba that could be adapted and used in Salsa dancing. Most, if not all, of these turns may be familiar to you if you are an advance dancer, as you may already have used them in your dancing. For beginners and and improvers, it is imprtant to understand the basic turn techniques while learning salsa.

Steps and turns constitute important elements in building dance routines.

1. Pivot Turn

• A turn on the ball of the foot
• A series of pivot turns creates travel mutations
• Weight change at every half turns
• Thighs close together in a scissor’s like fashion while turning
• In Salsa, Pivot Turn is commonly used while doing the inside or outside turns.

2. Chaine Turns

• Travelling turns
• Step turns sequence
• Feet closed while turning
• 360 degrees rotation
• Without stepping change weight as you turn to complete the 360 degrees rotation
• Keep up the sequence with the original foot you started with

3. Swing and Sway Turns

• Popular in Waltz
• An example is the Heel Turn
• Here you swing, then feet together and turn on your heels
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4. Basic Spin Turn or Pencil Turn or Platform Turn

• A turn involving one full revolution balanced on one foot
• Other foot held in false position
• On the spot turn on one foot appears as a pencil, hence the name 'Pencil Turn'.
• Also known as Platform turn as it appears the dancing is rotating on a platform
• Although feet are closed together, the balance is on one foot while the other is held in false position.

5. Piroutte Turns

• A full turn on one foot with other foot in a raised position
• Usually you do a 360 rotation or spin on your toe while the other foot is raised

6. Monterey Turns

• A stationary turn Popular in Line and Jaz dancing
• Weight on one foot with the other pointed away from the weighted foot
• One foot in pointed position
• Could be ½ or full rotation
• In our salsa class we used this turns in our Open Out steps and in Right Flick, Left Flick and in Sailor

KEEP DANCING, KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN.