How to Lead And Follow Salsa: 6 Signals You Need To Master

There’s a lot happening during social dancing. Leads need to make clear signals, and follows need to know how to read and react to them. If you don’t recognize these salsa cues, you’re dancing blind—and trust me, no one wants to be the clueless partner!

Once you understand these unspoken signals, your dancing will feel smoother, more effortless, and way more fun. Let’s break it down with the 4TL Lead Signal Framework: Torso, Target, Turn, Toss, and finally Loops and Locks.

1. Torso: The Foundation of Leading

The torso plays a crucial role in leading, with two key components: weight shifts and torso angles.

Weight Shifts

Weight shifts come from your center of gravity—your torso. Even in a basic step, your partner can follow just by observing where your weight is going. When switching to a side basic, the follow can visually track the shift.

In closed hold, the follow feels the lead’s weight shift through the frame. This is especially important in moves like the cross-body lead. As the lead steps, the follow feels the shift and moves accordingly. The same concept applies to an open break, where both partners move their centers away from one another, creating an elastic connection that sets up the next movement.

A check or block is another example. This happens when the lead stops the follow’s movement and redirects them the other direction. The follow will feel the shift in the lead’s center of gravity (weight shifts) and adjust accordingly.

Think of lead signals as data points—the more signals pointing in the same direction, the clearer the message to your partner.

Torso Angle

Your torso’s angle gives additional information. In a cross-body lead, your shoulder line indicates the intended direction. If the lead opens up their torso to a different angle, the follow can see and adjust their line of dance accordingly. Even without a physical connection, a lead can use a visual cue—such as “opening the door” during a cross body lead—to guide the follow’s movement.

A great exercise for developing this skill is Wi-Fi leading without hands: the lead moves their torso in different directions while the follow mirrors the movement, keeping their chest squared to the lead.

2. Targets: Clear Connection Points

A target is where you show your partner your hand, asking them to connect to it.

For example, if you want the follow to place their hand in yours, you offer a clear target. It could be a high target (at eye level), a low target (near the waist), or even behind the back. The key is to make it clear and intentional—no vague or hesitant hand placements!

3. Turns: Controlling the Frame

Turns work by manipulating the follow’s frame. If the lead moves the frame, the follow should maintain connection and follow through.

A good frame, not to be confused with a “strong” or tense frame, is essential. The follow should stand tall with could posture and move their arms from their shoulder blades. If the follow collapses their arms or doesn’t follow them when the lead initiates a turn, the movement won’t work. Leads should guide the turn smoothly and consistently, while follows should maintain their frame (follow it where ever the lead moves it) to respond effectively.

4. Toss: Playful and Dynamic

A hand toss or hand flick is when the lead throws the follow’s hand, often to create a stylish effect or transition into another movement. The toss should be controlled, not chaotic, ensuring the follow understands what’s coming next. The follow should also complete their arm circle after a toss and not rush their styling.

5. Loops and Locks: Adding Flair

Loops and locks are flourishes that add style and complexity to the dance. A loop involves bringing the follow’s arm over or around their head, while a lock can temporarily trap the follow’s arm to set up for a dramatic transition. These should be used intentionally and with proper technique to avoid confusion. The two words are often interchanged.

Wrapping Up

Mastering these lead signals will transform your salsa dancing. The 4TL framework—Torso, Target, Turn, Toss plus Loops and Locks—gives you a structured way to communicate clearly and dance with confidence.

Soon, your lead and follow skills will become second nature, making your social dancing smoother and more enjoyable!

Ready to Learn More And Level Up?

Try our online salsa and bachata programs free for a whole week and start putting these signals into practice. No credit card needed.