Beginner Level 1

1. Al Medio:

The Rueda is comprised of couples dancing in a circle (left shoulder facing the inside for men and right shoulder facing the inside for ladies).

This is the basic step for the Rueda and is used to get everyone started off on the same foot.  Everyone starts in the traditional Son position and then steps toward the center with the inside foot, leaning inward and tapping with the outer foot, and then steps out, tapping with the inside foot.

Signal: point to the floor at the center of the Rueda

2. Bulla:

This is verbally called to “make some noise” on the first forward step of the basic step and also on the inside step of Al Medio.

3. Abajo:

This moves opens from Al Medio and the gentleman initiates it by moving his left foot forward instead of left together. The man now leads the lady into back rocks while he alternates moving forward with his left foot and to the side with his right foot. The timing changes, so pay close attention during the transition.

Another variation of this move is for the man to take both steps forward. Remember to lead the lady with the left hand.

Signal: thumb extended and pointed over your back.

4. Son Montuno

Usually called from called from Abajo or Arriba Tiempo España; this is simply the basic forward and back step that starts on the first count.

5. Arriba Tiempo España

Usually called from Abajo or Guapea; this is simply holding the lady in the Abajo position, but taking tiny steps forward (backward for the girl), in a circle. Also, move your inside hand to the beat of your feet, inside and out.

6. Tarrito

Tarrito has a couple of variations that are called from Arriba Tiempo España. In the traditional Tarrito, the lady will raise her right arm to allow the gentleman to take tiny steps toward the next lady and continue with Arriba Tiempo España.

In Tarrito de Mentira, the gentleman turns in place under the lady's arm and continues Arriba Tiempo España.

In Tarrito hasta la Tuya, the man will place his left hand on the shoulder of the man in front of him and take tiny steps in an inside circle while the ladies stay in the outside circle. Once the man has reached his partner, Arriba Tiempo España continues.

In Tarrito por Arriba, the gentleman turns under his partner's arms but will continue with the lady to his left.

7. Danilo

During the 1, 2, 3 counts, the man will gently turn the lady's wrist inside (toward her elbow) and move her hand behind her back. At the same time, the man must be prepared to grab the lady's hand from behind her back with his right arm. Also, both the man and lady will mark in place while this is done. On the 5, 6, 7 counts, the man will gently pull the lady's arm to turn her while he also turns. Then the couple continues with Abajo.

8. Exhíbela and Exhíbela Doble

Salsa is all about showing off the lady and this step is no exception. It is usually called from Abajo and the gentleman lowers the lady's hand, palm facing up, on the first 4 counts, so as to force her to turn slightly more in her Back Rock. On the 5th count, the man will lead the lady with his right arm on her shoulder and she will turn clockwise underneath his arm.

Exhíbela Doble is simply 2 Exhíbelas performed consecutively.

The couple always returns to Abajo.

9. Exhíbela 2 con Una

The lady performs 2 Exhíbelas and an additional one, but the gentleman releases her hand on the 5th count and also turns clockwise. The couple then returns to Abajo.

10. Exhíbela Complicado

Exhibela 2 con Una followed by the first three steps of Dile Que No with the current partner and then a complete Dile Que No with the upcoming partner.

11. Serrucho

The man will place his left arm above the lady's right arm and extend it to grab the next girl's hand while still dancing with the first girl. The couple continues dancing together until "se fue" is called; at this point, the lady will move under her partner's arm and the couples will exchange.

12. Serrucho Complicado

This is a Serrucho followed by a Dile Que No A la Otra (first three steps of Dile Que No with current partner and then a full Dile Que No with the next lady) and continue with Guapea.

13. Dile Que No

This is the most important step you will learn in Casino and can also be applied to dancing with a partner.
Men: Dile Que No ALWAYS begins with the left foot forward. The first four counts are exactly the same as those of Abajo: left foot forward, right in place, left foot together, and pause.
This is where it changes because the couple will end up facing the opposite direction.
On the 5th count, take a right step forward.Then left foot forward but slightly behind the right foot and pointed toward toward the left, then turn so that your feet end up together and pointing in the same direction. Remember that you will have to lead the lady into the turn by gently pushing her on the shoulder during the fifth count. The next three counts are left foot back, right foot in place, left foot together. This step usually leads into Guapea.

Women: You will start from the Back Rocks and on the 5th count you will place your left foot behind and slightly to the right of your right foot. Then on the 6th count take a right step forward, and turn on the 7th count so that your feet are together again. Since the last step was with your left foot, the following 1st count will be right foot back, left foot in place, and right foot together. This commences the Guapea.

Sigal: the leader while waive his index finger side to side.

14. Guapea

This is foundation of the Rueda and most of your time will be spent in Guapea. It is basically forward and back except that the man and lady take the forward step at the same time, so it must be shorter.

15. Dame

In "Dame" the man will open to the center of the rueda on the 3rd count, and perform a Dile Que No with the girl behind him. If the Rueda is inside out, the men will have to open to the outside and slighty turn to be able to dance with the girl behind him.

If "Dame"...Mentira is called, then the man thinks that "Dame" is called, but turns in place and continues dancing with his partner.

After 1 "Dame" is called, the leader can call "otra" to tell the men not to finish Dile Que No, but simply take the first 3 steps, and walk toward the next partner and perform Dile Que No with her.

"Dame" can also be called with "quedate Abajo" so that the couples open up and stay in Abajo instead of doing a Dile Que No.

16. Un Fly

From guapea, both ladies and gentleman will step farther back on the 3rd count and face the inside of the rueda. If "fly is called", then simply clap once, and start guapea from the first count. Fly Doble means to clap twice, and if "con pausa" is added, then pause before clapping.

17. Linea entre Dos

Open up for "Dame" and guys bend to clap behind opposing partner's back while girls clap over the guy's head. Then return to "guapea".

18. Roletazo entre Dos

Open up for "Dame" and everyone claps in between their legs. Guys clap behind their right leg, girls behind their left. Then return to "guapea".

19. Pin Pon Con la Tuya/Vecina

Open up for "Dame" and jump toward the opposing partner on the 5th count, bump hips together on the 6th, jump back on the 7th, and continue with "guapea" on the first.

20. Ni Pa Ti, Ni Pa Mi

Open up for "Dame" and clap your hands on the 5th and 1st count, and with the opposing partner on the next two counts. Then switch partners and repeat until "se fue"| is called. Then return to "guapea".