Basic Positions

in Ballroom
Dancing
There are nine basic positions in ballroom dancing:

01. One Hand Position

02. Two Hand Hold Position
03. Outside Right Position
04. Outside Left Position
05. Promenade Position
06. Shadow Position
07. Skater's Position
08. Fallaway Position
09. Challenge Position
 01
One Hand Position
In the one-hand hold, only one
hand is held.
Begin in the open facing
position. To enter the one hand
hold position, grasp your
partner’s hand and leave the
other hand relax at your side.
 02
Two Hand Hold
In the two-hand hold position,
both hands are held. Partners
should stand apart, facing one
other. The male partner holds
the female partners hands,
while the female partner places
her hands in the male partners
grasp.
 03
Outside Right Position
The outside right position or
right parallel is similar to the
basic closed position, with the
exception of the placement of
the feet.

In the outside right position,

the female partner’s feet should
be to the right of the male
partner’s.
 04
Outside Left Position
The outside left position or left
parallel.

In the outside left position, the

female partner’s places her feet
to the left of the male partner’s.
 05
Promenade Position
In the promenade position,
both partners face the same
direction instead of facing one
another. Their bodies form a
sort of “V” shape.
 06
Shadow Position
In the shadow position, partners
“shadow” each other’s moves.

Partners should step with same foot in

the same direction. Their movements
should act as a shadow to each other,
as the same of the name of the
position.
 07
Skater's Position
In the skater’s position, partners join
hand in the front of their bodies. The
right hands are joined below and left
hands are joined aboved.
 08
Fallaway Position
The Fallaway position is similar to
promenade position, except the
dancers move backward instead of
forward.

In the Fallaway position, both

partners take small steps backward
at same time
 09
Challenge Position
In the challenge position, the male
and female partners face one
another but stand apart and without
making contact.
Thank you.