Break(s)

Break(s) is a Partnering and Freestyle Dance Technique. This is a step moving from the centre of the body and returning to the centre of the body after the following count.

Advanced definition: Breaks are dance steps the dancer makes starting from his or her own centre by stepping on the ball of the foot & away from the centre (1 foot length!), followed by stepping on the foot remaining in the centre, and closing with the breaking foot back to the centre. Breaking usually happens in a QQS timing (see "Quick Quick Slow"). So the dancer makes 3 dance steps. The dancer usually mirrors the first Break starting with the other foot to complete 1 Basic (see "Basic").

The most well known Breaks in Salsa are: Rumba Basic (Side Breaks), Cumbia Basic (Diagonal Back Breaks), Mambo Basic (or Basic Step: Forward & Back Breaks) and the Open Break. There are also Front Breaks (breaking 2 times forward), Back Breaks (breaking 2 times to the back), and Diagonal Front Breaks. The count the Leader first Breaks on is crucial for determining the style of Salsa the dance couple are dancing (see "On1", "On2","On3", and "Contra Tiempo").