Salsa rueda can be a complicated dance at times involving good awareness skills in order for the group to be able to dance in one rhythm and one smooth flow. At first glance, salsa rueda may look difficult to master because one has to do moves directed by the caller and should be in synch with everyone.

However, like all other dances and disciplines, the Casino Rueda style of Salsa has a set of basic dance moves from which the aspiring salsa dancer can build his expertise on when starting out. Here are some of the basic moves that one can expect to hear the caller shout when directing a group dance in salsa rueda:

P’al Medio. Upon hearing this command when dancing Salsa Rueda, the partners should then lean inside the circle. In this dance move, on the first beat after the call is given, they should tap the toes on beat 4 located inside the circle. On beat 5, they should then angle toward the outside of the circle and tap the toes outside of it on 8.

Caminamos Pa’Arriba. This move starts from the p’al medio position of Salsa Rueda with the leader and partner facing each other, and the leader is on the left side of the follower. The leader places his right hand on the follower’s back wile the follower places her left hand on the leader’s right shoulder. The leader holds the right hand of the follower with both arms, making an L shape. The partners will then walk counterclockwise upon hearing the call. The leader and follower walk forward and backward, respectively.

Un Tarro. This is used for changing partners, a distinct feature of Salsa Rueda. Immediately after the command is called, the leader moves on toward the next follower on the inside of the circle. The follower moves to the next leader as well. All of this are done while doing caminamos pa’arriba.

Dos Tarros. Still used to call for a change of partners in Salsa Rueda, this direction tells the leader and follower to move two places to their next partners while still doing caminamos pa’ arriba.

Una Mentira. This starts with the leader and follower holding each other’s hands at waist level. The leader is at the right side of follower. When the Salsa Rueda director calls “Una mentira!” the leader turns right into the circle, and then returns to being at the right side of the follower.

Llevala Pa’ Abajo. The llevala pa’ abajo starts with both partners in p’al medio position. On the first beat, leaders cross in front while followers cross backward on counts 1 and 5.

Exhibela. Beginning in p’al medio, the dancers in Salsa Rueda initiate a left pivot turn into the wheel. The leader should guide the follower with his left hand. The exhibela has a serial version, dos y una, in which partners should do three repetitions of this move when the call is given.

These are only some of the most basic moves of the Salsa Rueda de Casino of Cuba. There are still some other basic moves that you can learn when trying to dance the Salsa Rueda. Just remember, build up on these basic dance moves, and you can be a very proficient dancer.