El Uno (meaning “The One”) is one of the many Cuban salsa moves that are named after a number. While there are many such moves that have no deeper meaning and are simply given their name sequentially, due to a lack of a better description, el uno is one of the few numbered moves whose name is more meaningful. In isolation this may not seem obvious but it is apparent particularly when comparing this move to another move referred to as “El Dos”. In El Uno we spend one entire 8-count in Parte El Brazo Con Dos Manos whereas in El Dos the same sequence is performed for 2 8-counts (as well as switching the position of leaders and followers). It is therefore the duration of Parte El Brazo Con Dos Manos, which is the key element of these two moves, that is responsible for the name.
El Uno starts by a Parte El Brazo Con La Mano Derecha for the first 3 steps at which point the leader picks up the follower’s left hand with their own left hand before going back to the original position. Keeping both hands, the leader does an Enchufla amd brings their right hand over the follower’s head while at the same time keeping their left hand low to finish the move by bringing both hands over both heads similarly to the end of Sombrero.
In terms of footwork El Uno is effectively an Enchufla Doble Y Quedate. It is therefore important that the steps are executed as such and no shortcuts are taken. In fact, one of the most common mistakes with this move is that dancers often do not turn properly to face each other when holding both hands in Parte El Brazo Con Dos Manos but the more they turn the better this move looks and feels and it is easier to maintain eye contact.
The hand sign for El Uno consists of the leader pointing their index finger upwards to signal the number one.
