12 Questions
What is the position called when the man's left side is leading, and the lead hands and trail hands are joined at shoulder height?
Butterfly Banjo
In what position is the man's right hand placed just below the woman's left shoulder blade?
Closed Standard
What is the term for a position where partners are facing away from each other?
Back-to-Back
In what position are the man's arms wrapped around the woman's waist or lower back, and her arms on his shoulders, neck, or face?
Cuddle
What is the term for a position where the woman's left arm is passed through the crook of the man's right arm?
Escort
What is the general term for any position where the man and woman are directly in front of each other?
Facing
In the Left Half Open position, where is the woman located relative to the man?
On his left side
In the Varsouvienne position, which of the following is true about the man's arms?
His left arm passes behind the woman's shoulders
In the Open Side by side position, which hands are joined?
Man's right hand and woman's left
In the Reverse Semi-Closed position, how do the man and woman turn relative to each other?
The man turns 1/8 right face, and the woman turns 1/8 left face
In the Semi-Closed position, what happens when the man turns his hips to the right and gives a little more right side stretch?
The woman opens her head and body
In the Low Butterfly position, how are the hands positioned relative to the body?
About waist high
Study Notes
Dance Positions
- Back Cross: Partners stand side by side, with the man on the woman's left, right hands joined behind the woman's back, and left hands joined behind the man's back.
- Back-to-Back: Partners face away from each other.
- Banjo: A closed position with the man's left side leading, stepping outside the partner's feet with his right foot.
Butterfly Positions
- Butterfly: A facing position, somewhat apart, with lead hands and trail hands joined at shoulder height, elbows up and out.
- Butterfly Banjo: Left side lead, stepping outside partner with right foot.
- Butterfly Sidecar: Right side lead, stepping outside partner with left foot.
Standard and Closed Positions
- Closed Standard: Facing partner, slightly offset to the left, with lower bodies together and upper bodies apart, looking left.
- Cuddle: A closed embrace, with the man's arms around the woman's waist or lower back and her arms on his shoulders, neck, or face.
Open and Escort Positions
- Escort: An open position with the woman's left arm through the crook of the man's right arm, forearm resting on his forearm.
- Facing: Partners face each other directly, front to front, in closed, butterfly, or open facing positions, or with no contact.
Half Open and Left Open Positions
- Half Open: Both facing the same direction, with the woman on the man's right side, bodies turned half towards each other.
- Left Half Open: The woman is on the man's left side.
- Left Open: Facing partners, apart, man's left hand and lady's right joined, with free arms extended to the side.
- Left Open Position: Side by side, lady to his left, man's left hand and lady's right joined, looking in the same direction.
Varsouvienne and Low Butterfly Positions
- Left Varsouvienne: Partners face the same direction, with the man behind the lady and to her right, holding her right hand in his right.
- Low Butterfly: Butterfly position, but with hands closer together and about waist-high.
- Man's Left Varsouvienne: Partners facing the same direction, with the lady behind the man and to his left, holding his right hand in her right.
- Reverse Varsouvienne: Partners occupy each other's spot, with the woman behind the man and to his left, holding his left hand in her left.
Semi-Closed and Open Positions
- Open Side by side: Lady to his right, man's right hand and lady's left joined, looking in the same direction.
- Reverse Semi-Closed or Counter Promenade: From Closed Position, the man turns 1/8 right face, and the woman turns 1/8 left face.
- Semi-Closed or Promenade: A position between Open and Closed, with the man turning his hips to the right and giving a little more right side stretch.
Test your knowledge of different dance positions and their descriptions. From Back Cross to Butterfly Banjo, can you identify the correct positions and their characteristics? Take this quiz to find out!
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