Non Lead-able Salsa Dance Moves (NLDM’s)

One of the main factors playing a significant role in the evolution of modern day Salsa and Mambo dancing is the introduction and (semi) standardization of Non Lead-able Dance Moves. The reasons and consequences for implementing and instructing these choreographed dance techniques for social dancing are quite diverse.

A Salsa Dance Technique is designated as ‘Non Lead-able’ when a follower is not able to follow the lead of the leader without prior instruction on how to react accordingly to this particular lead. These choreographed dance moves are not ‘natural’, or they do not follow the natural ‘flow’ of a certain type of social Salsa dancing. For example: it is quite impossible for a Cuban Casino Dance oriented follower to react properly when a ‘Copa’ is indicated. And a follower in Western Style Salsa/Mambo will not do an ‘Enchufe’ when she is being led by a Cuban leader. 

There are several reasons for fabricating Non Lead-able Dance Moves (NLDM’s). The first group of people inventing these ‘illogical’ dance moves are (Salsa/Mambo) Dance Choreographers. These small choreographies are thought of to ‘spice up’ their own Salsa/Mambo dance routines. Dance choreographers are bound by nothing except for the limitations being 'imposed' on them by the ruling committees of of Salsa and Mambo Dance competitions. The second group consists of (international) Salsa and Mambo Dance Instructors introducing these NLDM’s to their students in a Darwinian effort to stay on top of the ever growing competition. Some dance teachers also use NLDM’s as a solution to a (dance) problem. For example: how to get out of an ‘arm knot’ in an elegant manner. A large number of NLDM’s are Salsa Styling Dance Elements such as ‘Hand Shines’. The last group of persons who are keen to implementing NLDM’s  are all Salsa and Mambo dancers copying these fabrications from other (international) dancers or teachers,  instructional Salsa Dance DVD’s, or from seeing these dance moves being executed by Salsa dancers on the social dance floor.

The art of transforming Non Lead-able Dance Moves into ‘(semi) Standards’

The whole evolution of Western Style Salsa is dictated by the (semi) standardization of NLDM’s. The evolutionary paths of New York Style Mambo ‘On2’ and Los Angeles Style Salsa ‘On1’ are different but with both having one commonality, being the Cross Body Lead (CBL). This partnering dance technique commonly considered to be the ‘backbone’ of modern Salsa and Mambo dancing in lines or ‘slots’, is one of the best known standardized NLDM’s. The origins of the CBL lies in the Hollywood film industry of post World War II wanting to make Swing Dance more attractive for the viewing audience. The viewers of these films were then able to see the faces and the expressions of the dancers instead of constantly looking at their backs when they are circling around each other. Eddie Torres made the Cross Body Lead a ‘household’ dance technique in Mambo and (American Style) Salsa dancing.  

Another important figure whose contribution of countless of NLDM’s has changed the way we dance Salsa is Super Mario. The ‘Million Moves Man’ has been able to produce these countless dance moves by cleverly mixing choreographed arm and hand combinations with a set of rules or guidelines thus making them lead-able. One of his basic guidelines is: if the leader puts a hand of the follower on his or her own body, then the hand stays there until he breaks contact by removing his body (the so called ‘ Hand Drop’ dance technique), by him asking for her hand, or by taking her hand away from the previous setting. Another one: when the hand (or arm) of the follower is thrown up by the leader she waits before dropping it down in his waiting hand. This rule made it possible for followers to multiply their arm and hand styling techniques. 

The main advantage of Non Lead-able Dance Moves is the way they look. They become a disadvantage when only a small group of dancers master them.