Terminology
Orientation
- Inside is the closed side in closed position.
- Outside is the open side in closed position.
Hand Holds
| name |
abbr | hands |
description |
|---|---|---|---|
| double hand hold | DHH | natural | |
| inside hand hold | IHH | natural | inside hands only |
| outside hand hold | OHH | natural | outside hands only |
| handshake | HS | switched | |
| left handshake | LHS | switched | |
| double handshake | DHS | switched | right over left |
| left double handshake | DLHS | switched | left over right |
| hand knot | HK | natural | right over left |
| left hand knot | LHK | natural | left over right |
Body Positions
| name | hands | body | otn | L/F/D | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| freestyle | - | square | - | - | no contact |
| open | - | square | - | - | any hand hold |
| closed | natural | square | - | - | traditional ballroom hold |
| half closed | natural | square | - | - | closed + drop outside hand |
| cradle | natural | square | - | - | like an open cuddle |
| sombrero | switched | inline | I,O | - | arms over heads |
| cuddle | natural | inline | I,O | L,F | L/F half turned |
| copa | switched | inline | - | L,F,D | L/F half turned |
| hammerlock | either | square | L,R,I,O,D | L,F,D | hand wrapped low |
| lola | either | square | L,R,I,O | L,F | hlock + hand wrapped behind head |
Spins and Turns
- Spin = weight on one foot until you land
- Turn = weight changes feet one or more times before you land
- Naming:
- (L)eader / (F)ollower
- (Q)uarter / (H)alf / ()Single / (D)ouble / (T)riple
- (I)nside / (O)utside
- (T)urn / (S)pin
- Extra half / quarter use exact numbers: 2.5, 3.5
- Examples:
- FDOS = Follower Double Outside Spin
- LIT = Leader Inside Turn
- 1.5 OT = One and half outside turn
