Online Dance Position

Click Here to see a video on how to make the dance position.

Dance Position is an important thing and can cure many problems between the man and woman when it comes to learning to dance together. We can become very good at doing our steps on an individual level, but putting it into motion with a partner can be difficult if you and your partner aren't positioned correctly. For most of the steps we will cover here, the Closed Dance position will be used. Closed Dance position is primarily used in Foxtrot and Waltz. A slightly different version is used for the Swing. Below is a brief description of the Closed Dance Position.

1. Stand facing each other.
First, make sure that you and your partner aren't directly in front of each other. You should be slightly offset, with the woman to the man's right. This will allow the person moving forward to have room to step forward with out stepping on the other's foot. If you seem to always step on your partner's foot this may correct that issue. In closed dance position, the movement will be forward for one partner and backward for the other.

2. Men: Your right hand will be placed just below the lady's shoulder blade. Your right arm is very important. Keep the right elbow elevated and bent. The elevation will help you give the correct signal to your partner, while keeping it bent will allow you to move closer to your partner. Dances like Foxtrot and Waltz work and look best when we dance close together. The man's left hand holds the right hand of the lady and should be held at a comfortable level. It is very important that the man not use too much squeeze on the lady.

3. Women: Your left arm will rest gently on the man's right arm with your finger tips resting near the seam of the man's shirt. The key here is to not press down with the left arm.

4. The woman's right hand is held in the palm of the man's left hand, raised to a comfortable level of the shorter partner.

A key note for both partners is to maintain good posture. Looking down at the feet will not help. Eyes should be up at a normal level.

Note that we are all different shapes and sizes so there may need to be many adjustments to accommodate you and your partner.

Be sure to check back as we will be adding more tips on dance positions and dance steps.