Hold Positions

Closed Man and lady stand in front of each other in body contact, slightly offset to the left. The feet should be positioned slightly offset so that the right foot of either partner can step between the other partner's feet.  Most commonly used hold in ballroom dance.
Fan Dance position where man and lady stand at right-angles, lady on man's left side. Man holds lady's right hand in his left.
Open Man and lady stand directly in front of each other, within arms' reach. Tone is maintained through the arms, and body weight is held forward towards the balls of the feet.
Promenade A V-shaped dance position where both man and lady move forward and in the same direction, toward the open end of the "V". The man's head should be turned to the left, the lady's to the right.
Shadow Dance position where both man and lady face the same direction, with one partner either directly in front of the other, or slightly offset to the left or right. As the name implies, Shadow position is usually taken with partners shadowing each other's movement, on the same foot and in the same direction. Partners can be closed (in body contact), semi-closed (slightly apart but within arms reach), or completely apart.
  • Cape - In shadow position, the man holds the woman's left hand with his left hand in front of her left shoulder. The man crosses his right arm behind the woman and holds her right hand with his right hand in front of the woman's right shoulder. The man's arm is held just above the woman's shoulder.
  • Cuddle or Sweetheart- In shadow position, the man wraps his right arm around the lady’s waist; she wraps her left arm around her front to hold his right hand. She wraps her right arm over her left arm and across her front to hold his left hand. Hands are at waist level.
  • Skaters - In shadow position, when left-left hands are joined and outstretched, and right-right hands are joined at the woman's waist.
Side by side Dance position where man and lady stand side by side. They can have a one-arm or one-hand hold, or stand apart without a connection.