Back-to-Back (V-Shape) (BTBP)

Definition:
A dance position where the partners are nearly back to back, making the shape of a 'V'.

Chair Position (Chair Pos)

Definition:
A check (stop) in Promenade Position on the inside legs. The Leader's right and the Follower's left knees will flex and lower to help stop the forward momentum and to help wind up for the next step, which is always backward in Fallaway Position.

Challenge Position (Challenge Pos)

Definition:
A very strong picture line taken in Promenade Position on the Leader's left and the Follower's right leg.

Details:

  • Leader creates the Challenge Line by stepping across the Follower's path and turning the body to the right, keeping the left side strong.
  • Follower creates the Challenge Line by allowing body rotation to the right, accentuating the turn of the head rightward while maintaining strong posture.
  • Example: Step 5 of Tango's Oversway.

Corte Position (Corte Pos)

Definition:
A picture line where the Leader steps back onto his LF, left side leading, with strong sway to the right.

Details:

  • The Leader's LF toe is turned out, and the left knee is flexed over the toe.
  • The RF is held forward with a straight leg, foot flat (or right heel slightly released).
  • The Follower lunges forward on the right leg, with strong sway to the left, extending the left leg behind with a pointed foot and turning the head strongly leftward.

Closed Position (CP)

Definition:
The standard dance position in the Smooth dances (Tango uses Tango Closed Position).

Details:

  • At the Bronze level, a few inches between partners' torsos is acceptable.
  • At the Silver and Gold levels, torsos are in contact, with Leader's right ribs connected to the Follower's right ribs.
  • Leader's Frame:
    • Wide frame with both elbows level and slightly in front of the body.
    • Right wrist connects under the Follower's armpit (not low on the back), fingers neatly closed.
    • Left hand is held at about Follower's eye level, forming a neat clasp.
  • Follower's Frame:
    • Matches Leader's, with shoulder blades rolled back and head to the left.
    • Left hand rests lightly below the Leader's right shoulder.
    • Right hand completes a neat clasp with the Leader's hand.

Counter Promenade Position (CPP)

Definition:
The opposite of Promenade Position, where the Leader's left side and Follower's right side are in contact or nearly touching, forming a V-shape. The Leader looks right, and the Follower looks left.

Explosion in Left Side Position (Explosion in LSP)

Definition:
A stylized and dynamic Left Side Position, where the Leader's weight is on the RF, with the LF stretched to the side without weight.

Details:

  • The Follower's weight is on the LF, with the RF stretched to the side without weight.
  • The Leader's left hand holds the Follower's right hand.
  • Free arms are extended sideways diagonally up.

Explosion in Right Side Position (Explosion in RSP)

Definition:
A stylized and dynamic Right Side Position, similar to Explosion in LSP but mirrored.

Details:

  • The Leader's weight is on the LF, with the RF stretched to the side without weight.
  • The Follower's weight is on the RF, with the LF stretched to the side without weight.
  • The Leader's right hand holds the Follower's left hand.
  • Free arms are extended sideways diagonally up.

Facing Position (FacP)

Definition:
The Leader and Follower face each other slightly more apart than in Closed Position and are no longer in a standard frame.

Details:

  • Example: Steps 8 and 9 of the Bronze Waltz Face-To-Face � Back-To-Back.
  • Possible Holds:
    1. Standard: Leader's left hand holds Follower's right hand.
    1. Opposite: Leader's right hand holds Follower's left hand.
    1. Right-to-Right (Handshake): Leader's right hand holds Follower's right hand.
    1. Left-to-Left: Leader's left hand holds Follower's left hand.
    1. Double Handhold: Leader's left hand holds Follower's right, and right hand holds Follower's left.
    1. Cross Handhold: Leader's left hand holds Follower's left, and right hand holds Follower's right.
    1. Apart: No hold.

Fallaway Position (FallP)

Definition:
Leader and Follower both move backward in Promenade Position.

Details:

  • Example: Steps 7 and 8 of the Bronze Foxtrot Fallaway Twinkles.

Free Spin

Definition:
Not an actual dance position, but indicates that both partners are turning without hold.

Left Shadow Position (LShadP)

Definition:
Leader and Follower face the same direction, with the Follower slightly ahead or behind on the Leader's left side.

Details:

  • The standard hold: Leader's left hand placed on or just under the Follower's left shoulder blade or waist.
  • Right hand holds the Follower's right hand, wrist, or lower arm.
  • Other holds may be used in advanced variations.
  • Note: Left Shadow Position does not appear in the Bronze syllabus.

Left Side Position (LSP)

Definition:
Leader and Follower face the same direction with Follower on Leader's left side.

Details:

  • Usually, the Leader's left hand holds the Follower's right hand.
  • No hold may be used in advanced side-by-side choreography.
  • Example: Steps 4 and 5 of the Bronze Tango Open Fan.

Offset Left Position (OffsetLP)

Definition:
Partners are in Facing Position, with the Follower positioned strongly to the Leader's left side.

Details:

  • The Follower's left shoulder is lined up with the Leader's left shoulder.
  • Most often used in a 'slight' form, where the Follower's left shoulder is aligned with the Leader's midline.

Offset Right Position (OffsetRP)

Definition:
Partners are in Facing Position, with the Follower positioned strongly to the Leader's right side.

Details:

  • The Follower's right shoulder is lined up with the Leader's right shoulder.
  • Most often used in a 'slight' form, where the Follower's right shoulder is aligned with the Leader's midline.
  • Example: Steps 8 and 9 of Waltz's Two-Way Underarm Turn.

Open Counter Promenade Position (OCPP)

Definition:
Similar to Counter Promenade Position, where the Leader's left side and Follower's right side are toward each other, and the opposite sides of their bodies are open in a V-shape.

Details:

  • Leader and Follower are more apart, and the hold changes.
  • Examples of Open Counter Promenade holds:
    • No hold
    • Single handhold
    • Double handhold
    • Leader's left hand on Follower's right shoulder blade
    • Leader's right hand on Follower's left upper arm
  • Examples: Step 6 of the Bronze Tango Open Fan, and Steps 6 and 7 of the Silver Waltz Flip Flops.

Open Facing Position (OFP)

Definition:
Exactly the same as Facing Position (FacP), except partners are further apart.

Details:

  • Example: Steps 2-6 of Curtsey and Bow.

Open Promenade Position (OPP)

Definition:
Similar to Promenade Position, where the Leader's right side and Follower's left side are toward each other in a V-shape, but with more distance between partners.

Details:

  • Leader and Follower are more apart, and the hold changes.
  • Examples of Open Promenade Position:
    • No hold
    • Single handhold
    • Double handhold
    • Leader's right hand on Follower's left shoulder blade

Outside Positions (ROP and LOP)

Definition:
Also called Outside Partner, this position departs from the normal foot placement in four tracks.

Details:

  • Example: Steps 2 and 6 of the Bronze Foxtrot Zig Zag Outside Partner.
  • There are two types of Outside Positions:
    • Right Outside Position (ROP): One partner steps RF forward in CBMP on their partner's right side, while the other steps LF back in CBMP.
    • Left Outside Position (LOP): One partner steps LF forward in CBMP on their partner's left side, while the other steps RF back in CBMP.

Oversway Position (Oversway Pos)

Definition:
A picture line created by changing shape from a Challenge Line.

Details:

  • Leader turns body leftward and stretches the left side to create sway to the right.
  • Maintain flex in the left knee, allowing the right knee to move down and leftward.
  • Follower swivels the RF to the left and stretches the right side to create sway to the left.
  • Create a dramatic line by elongating the neck and turning the head leftward.
  • Example: Step 6 of Tango's Oversway.

Overturned Promenade Position (OTPP)

Definition:
Similar to Promenade Position, but the Leader and Follower are more open, usually achieved by lowering the Leader's Left arm and the Follower's Right arm.

Details:

  • Example: Used in the Promenade Twinkle on steps 3 and 9 to create a more open look.

Preparation Positions

Definition:
Not actual dance positions, but changes of shape that indicate a transition into another position.

Details:

    • Preparation for Closed Position (Prep CP): Indicates the next step will be Closed Position.
    • Preparation for Fallaway Position (Prep FallP): Indicates the next step will be Fallaway Position.
    • Preparation for Left Outside Position (Prep LOP): Indicates the next step will be Left Outside Position.
    • Preparation for Right Outside Position (Prep ROP): Indicates the next step will be Right Outside Position.
    • Preparation for Open Facing Position (Prep OFP): Indicates the next step will be Open Facing Position.
    • Preparation for Promenade Position (Prep PP): Indicates the next step will be Promenade Position.
    • Preparation for Follower's Underarm Turn to Left (Prep FUATL): Leader raises left arm rightwards, stretching left side to indicate Follower's Underarm Turn Left.
    • Preparation for Follower's Underarm Turn to Right (Prep FUATR): Leader raises left arm leftwards, stretching right side to indicate Follower's Underarm Turn Right.

Promenade Position (PP)

Definition:
The Leader's right side and Follower's left side are in contact (or nearly so), with Follower slightly behind Leader's right hip, forming a V-shape.

Details:

  • Leader looks left, and Follower looks right.
  • Example: Steps 3 and 4 of the Waltz Simple Twinkle.
  • For Tango, see Tango Promenade Position.

Right Shadow Position (RShadP)

Definition:
Leader and Follower face the same direction, with the Follower slightly ahead or behind on the Leader's right side.

Details:

  • Not used in Bronze, but appears in Silver syllabus.
  • Example: Steps 1-8 in the Tango Shadow Rocks.
  • Common Holds:
    • Standard: Leader's right hand on Follower's right shoulder blade or waist, left hand holds Follower's left hand, wrist, or lower arm.
    • Right Roll-in: Leader holds Follower's left hand, leading Follower to roll in to Leader's right side, checking the turn with the left hand on Follower's left upper arm.
    • Right Cradle: Created by leading Follower's Underarm Turn Left with a double handhold, resulting in the Leader's right arm around Follower's back.

Right Side Position (RSP)

Definition:
Leader and Follower face the same direction, with Follower on Leader's right side.

Details:

  • Usually: Leader's right hand holds Follower's left hand.
  • In advanced choreography: No hold may be used.
  • Example: Steps 4-6 of the Bronze Viennese Waltz Change of Places.

Tango Closed Position (CP)

Definition:
Similar to Closed Position in the other Smooth dances, but more compact with slightly different arm positions.

Details:

  • Leader:
    • Follower is slightly more offset to the right.
    • Right arm is further around and lower on Follower's back.
    • Left arm is bent at a 90-degree angle, held closer in toward Leader's body.
  • Follower:
    • Left hand is behind and below Leader's upper right arm, thumb hooked under Leader's arm.
    • Fingers neatly closed and extended toward Leader's back.
    • More offset to the left, still stretching slightly leftward.

Tango Promenade Position (PP)

Definition:
Similar to Promenade Position in the other Smooth dances, but in Tango, the body is more strongly rotated toward the partner, creating different alignments.

Details:

  • Example: Step 1 of the Promenade Turning Left:
    • Leader's feet: Facing Diagonal Wall
    • Body: Facing Wall
    • Direction of movement: Line of Dance

Underarm Turn (UAT)

Definition:
Not an actual dance position, but indicates that either the Leader or Follower is turning under the arm.