PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Old Nalsian Road, Nalsian, Calasiao, Pangasinan, Philippines 2418

Tel. No. (075)522-8032/Fax No. (075)523-0894/Website: www.philcst.edu.ph
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED, Member: Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU),
Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI)

MODULE 3 LESSON 3:
Dance Positions Used in Ballroom

1. CLOSED POSITION (BALLROOM)

The Closed Position in the smooth ballroom dancing is the most basic and common
position used to move around the dance floor.

Position: Partners face each other in body contact,

slightly offset to the left. Looking each other’s right
shoulder the feet should be positioned slightly offset
so that the right foot of either partner can step
between the other partner's feet. This is commonly
used in modern standard dances, like waltz, quick
step and foxtrot. Looking, With the man's left hand
holds the woman's right hand about shoulder height,
palm to palm -in an upper-hand clasp, with fingers
and thumbs closed around partners hand, arms
relaxed and slightly bent at elbows, Man's right hand
on woman's back slightly above, waist the man's
fingers are closed and on the back. The woman's left
hand and' forearm is placed on the man's right
shoulder:
In Latin dances like tango, rumba and cha cha cha, the man's right arm should be
above the woman's back. The elbow should be slightly high. The man's left arm is also placed
higher when performed.

2. OPEN FACING POSITION

Open Facing is any position where partners stand facing each other, apart but within
arms' reach. Lead and follow are achieved through the use of various hand connections, such
as the two-hand hold as shown in the picture.

Position: 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.

There are many possibilities of contact points, but

the most common are the hands, two-hand hold,
where the man's left hand holds the lady's right
hand, and his right hand holds her left. His palms are
turned upward, and hers are turned downward.

Other possibilities include a one-hand hold such as

man’s left to lady’s right or man’s right to lady’s left,
a “cross-hand” or “ handshake hold” such as man’s
right to lady’s right or man’s left to lady’s left.
 PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Old Nalsian Road, Nalsian, Calasiao, Pangasinan, Philippines 2418
Tel. No. (075)522-8032/Fax No. (075)523-0894/Website: www.philcst.edu.ph
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED, Member: Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU),
Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI)

3. OUTSIDE PARTNER (RIGHT)

The Right Outside Partner Position is a variation of the Closed Position where the tracks of
the feet are offset to allow one partner to move toward the outside of the other partner's right
leg.
Position: Partners face each other in body contact,
slightly offset to the left. The feet should be
positioned offset so that one partner can step
outside of the other partner's right leg. The upper
bodies should be turned slightly to the right, causing
the left side of the body to project forward. This
causes a forward step on the left to be taken with a
"left side leading", while a forward step on the right
foot is taken in CBMP. Conversely, a back step on
the right foot is taken with a right foot is taken with a
“right side leading”, while a back step on the left
foot is taken in CBMP.

4. PROMENADE POSITION
The Promenade Position is a "V"-shaped dance position with man's left side and
lady's right side slightly open. The direction of travel is towards the open side.

Position: Partners face each other in body contact,

slightly offset to' the left, with lady's middle
connected to the man's right front. The lady’s feet
should be positioned slightly behind the man's. In
promenade position, the man's head should be
turned to the left, the lady's to the right. The right half
of the man's front contact with the middle of the
lady's front. The connection begins at the upper
thighs and should continue all of the way up to the
middle of the torso. Man's left hand to lady's right
hand. Palm to palm in an upper-hand clasp, with
fingers and thumbs closed around partner's hand.
Man's right hand on lady's back. Right hand is loosely cupped with fingers and thumb together
(not spread apart). Hand connects to her back on her shoulder blade. His wrist should make
contact with her under arm at the junction of her arm and body. This connection should not
change from basic closed position. Lady left hand and forearm on man’s upper arm. This
connection should not change from basic closed position.
 PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Old Nalsian Road, Nalsian, Calasiao, Pangasinan, Philippines 2418
Tel. No. (075)522-8032/Fax No. (075)523-0894/Website: www.philcst.edu.ph
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED, Member: Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU),
Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI)

5. FAN POSITION
Fan position is an alternative to Open Facing Position, whereby man and lady are
positioned perpendicular to each other with a left to right hand hold. It is specific to the
Rumba and Cha Cha figure bearing the same name.

Position: Partners stand apart and at right angles to each other, with the lady on the man's
left side. The path of her movement should cause her to pass directly in front of him when
moving forward. Man's left hand to lady's right hand. Man's palm is positioned upward,
while lady's palm is turned down, place on top of his. Tone should be maintained in the
arms to secure the connection for effective leading and following.

Ballroom dancing is a well-known dance all over the world. Nowadays it can be
considered as a recreation or a competitive sport known as dance sport. Ballroom dancing
is best for entertainment, exercise, development of good posture and promotion of good
relationship with others.

There are two types of ballroom dancing. First is the " Latin" Dances like the Cha Cha
Cha, Jive and Rumba. Second type is the" Modern" Dances like Tango, Waltz and Fox Trot.