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In the open positions, partners are apart from each other. They are scarcely in a dance "hold." They may not be touching at all.
In Open Position, the dancers are facing in the same direction, and his right and her left hands are joined. In the second photo, we can clearly see the usual opposite footwork; they are stepping forward on lead feet.
Below, you can see examples of same footwork, where both step with their right or both left.
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| Here is an open position with no hands joined and same footwork. They are lunging a bit to the right and pointing with the left foot. |
(click on any thumbnail for a larger view)
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| Again, an open position, same footwork, and a little different handwork. |
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| This couple is in open with opposite footwork, and he has turned her away by giving a little counter-clockwise turn to the trail hand. If this movement were done violently, it would be the aggressive action of twisting an opponent's arm behind his back, but in dance, it is of course done gently and lovingly. |
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Left Open
This is left open position. Again, both are facing the same way, but she is to his left, and his left and her right hands are joined. Same footwork.
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| Left open position and opposite footwork. Lead feet forward. |
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| Trail feet forward. |
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Half Open
As the name suggests, Half Open is not quite as open as Open. The dancers are closer to each other, and trail arms are on each other's backs. Usually, the bodies will be turned more toward each other—there is more partner "connection" in several ways. |
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| Half Open, and it looks like he is beginning open in and out runs. |
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| Left Half Open |
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Escort
Escort Position is an open position in which the woman's arm is held in the crook of the man's. This is Left Escort. |
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Open Facing
To move from an open position to an open-facing position, simply maintain the one handhold, and turn to face. This is Left Open Facing.
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| A facing position with right-right hands joined (handshake). He points, she lunges. |
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Butterfly
Butterfly Position looks like an open facing position, but both hands are joined. |
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Back-to-Back
In a way, Back-to-Back Position is the opposite of Open Facing.
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| This is Left Back-to-Back. |
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| Can you name the positions in these photos? |
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| Photos © A. Gorczycki; E. Allen; F. Lepretre; J. Lee; P. Sosabowski; P. Suba; R. Szabatin; from Dancesport UK photo gallery. |
