Dance Positions

(International)

  1. Closed or Waltz Position A: Partners face each other directly, one skating forward while the other skates backwards. The man’s right hand is placed firmly against his partner’s back at her shoulder blade with elbow raised and bent sufficiently to hold her close. The woman’s left hand is placed against the man’s right shoulder with her arm resting comfortably on his, elbow to elbow. The
    man’s left arm and woman’s right arm are extended at average shoulder height. The shoulders are parallel.
  2. Killian or Side B Position: Partners face in the same direction, woman at the right of the man, man’s right shoulder behind woman’s left. Woman’s left arm is extended in front across man’s body to his
    left hand, while his right arm is behind her back. Both right hands clasped and resting at her waist over hip bone. This position may also be reversed, with the man at the right of the woman, both hands clasped and resting at her waist over the left hip bone.
  3. Tandem Position C: Skaters positioned directly behind each other, skating identical edges. Hold can be either both hands for both skaters, on woman’s waist, or one hand on woman’s waist (both
    skaters) with the other one outstretched.
  4. Foxtrot or Open D Position: Hand and arm positions are similar to those of the Closed position, but the partners turn slightly so that both may skate in the same direction. The man’s left hand and the
    woman’s right hand lead. This position may also be reversed, with the man on the woman’s right side.
  5. Trailing Foxtrot or Trailing Open E: Same as the Foxtrot or Open D, except that the clasped leading hands are reversed, following the couple rather than leading the couple.
  6. Side Closed or Tango F: Partners face in the same direction, one skating forward while the other skates backwards. Unlike the Closed A position, partners skate hip to hip, the man either to
    the right or left (Reversed F) of the woman.
  7. Hand-in-Hand Position G: Partners face in the same direction and are side by side with arms comfortably extended, the man’s right hand in his partners left. The woman is on the right side unless otherwise noted.
  8. Crossed Arms H: Same as the Killian B position, except that rather than being on the woman’s right hip, the man’s right hand is placed In front of the woman and both partners clasp hands close to the woman’s torso.