Salsa: Hammerlock

Learn how to do a salsa Hammerlock step by step. This one looks a little more complicated than it really is, because most of the pieces are things you’ve already learned earlier in the series. The Hammerlock basically combines the basic turn with the Cross Body Lead. The follower’s footwork stays almost exactly the same, but the hand connection changes and that’s what creates the Hammerlock position behind the back. In this lesson we break down the arm position, where the hand should land, how to rotate the wrist without twisting or pulling your partner, and how to time the Cross Body Lead coming out of it. A big part of this one is keeping everything comfortable. Leaders, you do not need to grab, pinch, or force the hands. Followers, keep your rhythm and let the lead happen. If the timing and hand position are right, the move feels a lot easier than it looks.