Block in Salsa On2: definition, module and class

Taught in

From the module notes

A Move For The Music 🎵

Blocks are not there to look complicated. They are there to land on something.

Blocks are used to hit a musicality, usually when the music does something.

You can do them from many different positions. The two used here are the Cross Body Lead and the shadow position.

The Shape 🛑

From a Cross Body Lead: 1 2 3, 5 6 7, then 1, 2. On 2 she steps forward, and you block her with your left.

It Is Not Your Arm 🧱

This is the bit that decides whether a block works or just feels like being grabbed.

The block happens with my frame.

Compare the two:

on a normal cross body, your frame opens and travels with her, 1 2 3, and you stay perpendicular and go with her
on a block, your frame closes against her frame, and her chest closes with it

The arm is only the delivery. Keep tension in the arm, because that is the channel the block comes through, from your frame, through your arm, to her.

The Rubber Band Again 🎈

The same principle from the Right Turn Handholds module, now in the other direction:

extend, and there is a pull
compress, and it starts pushing back
in the middle there is no tension, and you have complete freedom for tricks and flicks

A block is you deliberately arriving at one end of that band instead of staying in the free middle. Feel the tension and lead through the frame.

For The Followers 💃

The block leaves you a beat to use:

Adorn with the hip on the 2.

Step on 1, 2, move the hips a little on 2, then balance the weight back on 3, and carry on 5, 6, 7.

Do it when the music asks for it, not every time.

💡 Drill it: Practise a plain cross body and a blocked one back to back. If they feel the same in your body, you are blocking with your hand instead of your frame.

🎯 Community

Practice without judging yourself. Every dancer started exactly where you are. Be patient. This lands in the body over months, not days. Record yourself. You will see things you cannot feel. Post it in the community tab, or on Instagram tagging the page.

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From the module notes

A Move For The Music 🎵

Blocks are not there to look complicated. They are there to land on something.

Blocks are used to hit a musicality, usually when the music does something.

You can do them from many different positions. The two used here are the Cross Body Lead and the shadow position.

The Shape 🛑

From a Cross Body Lead: 1 2 3, 5 6 7, then 1, 2. On 2 she steps forward, and you block her with your left.

It Is Not Your Arm 🧱

This is the bit that decides whether a block works or just feels like being grabbed.

The block happens with my frame.

Compare the two:

on a normal cross body, your frame opens and travels with her, 1 2 3, and you stay perpendicular and go with her
on a block, your frame closes against her frame, and her chest closes with it

The arm is only the delivery. Keep tension in the arm, because that is the channel the block comes through, from your frame, through your arm, to her.

The Rubber Band Again 🎈

The same principle from the Right Turn Handholds module, now in the other direction:

extend, and there is a pull
compress, and it starts pushing back
in the middle there is no tension, and you have complete freedom for tricks and flicks

A block is you deliberately arriving at one end of that band instead of staying in the free middle. Feel the tension and lead through the frame.

For The Followers 💃

The block leaves you a beat to use:

Adorn with the hip on the 2.

Step on 1, 2, move the hips a little on 2, then balance the weight back on 3, and carry on 5, 6, 7.

Do it when the music asks for it, not every time.

💡 Drill it: Practise a plain cross body and a blocked one back to back. If they feel the same in your body, you are blocking with your hand instead of your frame.

🎯 Community

Practice without judging yourself. Every dancer started exactly where you are. Be patient. This lands in the body over months, not days. Record yourself. You will see things you cannot feel. Post it in the community tab, or on Instagram tagging the page.