Basic Dance Holds

Close Ballroom Position

• Couple Facing each other, ma’ns right arm

around the lady’s waist, with his hand
below his shoulder blade. The man’s left
hand holds the lady’s right hand , with
arms extended, at shoulder height. The
lady’s left hand rest on the man’s shoulder
 Banjo Hold

• A couple facing each other but offset with

the lady to the right and slightly in front of
the man. The man’s right hand at the
lady’s left waist and his left hand hold the
lady’s extended right hand , The lady’s left
hand rests on the man’s shoulders.
 Butterfly Hold

• A couple facing each other take hands,

Joined right to left. Their arms are
extended to the sides at shoulder height.
 Conversation Position

• A couple stand side by side facing the

same direction, with man’s right arm
around the lady’s waist . The lady’s left
arm rest on the man’s right shoulder. The
man’s left arm and the lady’s right arm are
held at their sides.
 Couple Hold

• Couple side by side and facing the same

direction with their inside hands joined
and held at shoulder height . The man’s
left arm and the lady’s right arm are held
at their sides.
 Promenade Hold

• A couple stand side by side, facing the

same direction, with the man a little
behind the lady .Left hands are joined and
held up.The right hands are held up
behind the lady.
 Open Ballroom Position

• Couple side by side, facing the same

direction with the man’s right arm around
the lady’s waist. The lady’s left hand rests
on the man’s right shoulder. The man
holds the lady’s right hand in his left with
his arms extended forward. This is similar
to the ballroom hold but more open
 Shoulder Waist Hold

• A couple faces each other. Man’s hands on

the small of the lady’s back and lady’s
hands on the man’s shoulder. The arms
are straight.
 Cross back Hold

• A couple standing side by side and facing

the same direction join the right hands
over the joined left hands behind the
couple.
Common Dance
Terms
Bow/Saludo-Spanish origin, where partners
bow to eac other, to opposite partners and to
the audience.
Cabeceras-The couples/partners occupying
the with of the dancing hall
COSTADOS-
Couples/patrners occupying the length of the dancing hall
Do-si-do
Two people walk towards each other, pass by their right
shoulders, step sideward to the right and walk backward
passing by left shoulders to original position.
Draw- To pull one foot along the floor to
close to the other which has the weight of
the body
Place-To put foot flat on the floor in any
desired position without putting weight on
it.
Set-A unit of two or more
couples/partners
Free foot-The foot not bering the weight of the body
Free hand- The hand not placed
anywhere or not doing anything
Hands on waist-Place hands on the
waist line
COMMON TERMS FOR ARMS
AND FEET MOVEMENTS
Abrasete-Girl is at the right side of the boy,
holds his R arm with her L hand fre hands
down at sides
Bilao-Hands in front parallel to each other at the waist level , elbows
close to the waist, palms down .
Hayon-Hayon
Visayan term to place forearm in front and
the other behind the waist
Jaleo- partners are side by side facing the
opposite directions, elbows are almost
touching each other

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpEEiJ9egaw
Kumintang-Moving the hand from the wrist
either clockwise or counterclockwise
Salok-to scoop or swing the arm
downward and upward in front of the
body
Sarok- cross the right arm over he
left bend the body slightly forward
Panadyak-Stamp the foot in front or at
the side
Heel Place-To bring down the heel on the
floor without the transfer of the body weight
Slide- to glide the foot to the floor
 Whirl- face the toe downward
and make a fast turn of the feet.
Brush- Weight on one foot, hit the floor
with the ball or heel of the other foot