Merengue's basic step is danced in close hold, with the lead's left and follower's right legs taking forward and backward steps in alternation. This gives rise to an asymmetrical pattern, where the partnership simulates the act of stepping over a fence with one pair of legs while the other set of legs remain stuck to the floor. The figure is known colloquially as “paso de la empalizada” or “stick-fence step” [courtesy Tambora y Guira].

Its simplicity and applicability makes it a suitable end-point in the first phase of our tutorial series, marking the culmination of all your effort invested so far.