If you want to get out on the dance floor and maintain your balance with a strong lead and follow, a review of some basic dance positions will get you off to a good start. [See Getting Started section of the Ballroom for Beginners Video.] For the Waltz, we’ll be focusing primarily on Closed Position. Two other dance positions that can also be used when dancing the Waltz are Right and Left Parallel Positions. Let’s take a look at these three dance positions.
Starters
- Begin facing each other with your shoulders parallel. Your body should be offset by 1/2 body distance to your own left, with your right foot pointed in between your partner’s feet.
- Men, your right arm will be your partner’s main support. Place your right hand just below the woman’s shoulder blade. Keep your fingers together and your hand slightly cupped. This will allow you to lead with your fingers and the heel of your hand. Position your right arm away from your body with your elbow pointing slightly to the side.
- Women, your left arm should rest gently on the man’s upper arm with your thumb along the inside of his arm and your fingers draped over his shoulder.
- The woman’s right hand rests in the palm of the man’s left hand between his thumb and forefinger forming a "Y". The joined hands should be raised to the eye level of the shorter partner. These “free” hands should not be used to push and pull. Leading is done primarily through the man’s right hand on the woman’s back.
- NO SPAGHETTI ARMS! Resistance is essential for a good dance team. If the body is limp, it won’t be able to sense which direction it should move in and the response time will be delayed. Resistance is achieved by keeping the shoulder, wrist and elbow firm. When dancing, resistance should be maintained for forward, backward and sideward motion. The exceptions are to upward and downward motion. Here, resistance should not be used in order to allow for smooth turns.
The safest place to look when dancing is 1/8 turn to your left, over your partner’s right shoulder. You can keep a conversation going while at the same time keeping your eye out for potential collisions.
How To Prevent Getting Stepped On
Now let's look at the feet. Never dance toe-to-toe or you'll end up stepping on each others' feet. This very important principle is called Aim. Aiming can be achieved by positioning your body so that it is offset by 1/2 body distance to your own left, with your right foot pointed in between your partner's feet. By doing this, you will prevent any unnecessary injuries on the dance floor.
Closed Position
The Closed Position is the most common position used in ballroom dancing. Begin facing your partner about six inches away. Stand upright with your head up and shoulders relaxed.
| Man's Part |
| The man’s right arm should be placed firmly with fingers and thumb held together slightly below the woman’s left shoulder blade. Good leverage can best be obtained with placement of the man’s thumb where the woman’s arm joins onto her body. The man’s right arm should be kept firm and lifted at a 90 degree angle to his body making full contact with the woman’s left arm. |
| Woman's Part |
| The woman’s left arm should rest gently on the man’s right arm. Her left hand should gently grasp his shoulder muscle with thumb on the inside and fingers on the outside The woman’s right hand should rest gently in the man’s left hand between his thumb and forefinger which form a “Y". The joined hands should then be raised to the eye level of the shorter partner. |
Promenade Position
Promenade Position begins with partners standing sideways in semi-open position, facing the line of dance with the man's right side touching the woman's left side. The man places his right hand at the left side of the woman's waist and gently clasps her right hand in his left.
Right Parallel Position
The Right Parallel Position (or Outside Right Position) is similar to the Closed Position with the exception of foot positioning. In the Right Parallel Position, the woman’s feet are to the right of the man’s feet. The couples’ right shoulders should be directly across from one another. The man’s right hand should be placed slightly lower on the woman’s back.
Left Parallel Position
The Left Parallel Position (or Outside Left Position) is similar to the Closed Position with the exception of foot positioning. In the Left Parallel Position, the woman’s feet are to the left of the man’s feet. The couples’ left shoulders should be directly across from one another. The man’s right hand should be placed slightly lower on the woman’s back.
Open Position
Couple stands side to side, slightly apart with woman to man's right side. Inside hands are joined and held below shoulder level (ie, man holds woman's left hand in his right).
Reverse Open Position
Couple stands side to side, slightly apart with woman to man's left side. Inside hands are joined and held below shoulder level (ie, man holds woman's right hand in his left).
Open Break Position
Facing each other and standing slightly apart, the man holds the woman's right hand in his left (or her left hand in his right). Occasionally, a right-to-right or left-to-left clasp is used (especially in the Swing).
Oposite Position
Couple stands facing each other slightly apart without holding hands.
Cuddle Position
Standing to the man's right side and facing the same direction, the woman "cuddles" with the man's right arm around her. Hands are held at shoulder level, joining right hand with right hand (when woman is to left of man), and left hand to left hand (when woman is to left of man). The cuddle position can be executed with the man's hand on the woman's waist in cuddle position (either right or left depending on which side the woman is standing).
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