Position – Country Swing AZ

Crossed Arm Slide

Type Transition Move, Position, Combo, Turn, Circle
Level Level 3 Beginner
Other Names Bow Tie, Arm Slide, Double Arm Slide, Double Overhead Slide, Double Arch Bridge Slide, Butterfly
Comes From Butterfly Open Position, Outside Turn, Tornado, Zig-zag
Leads To Tabletop, Duck Under Spin, Double Lasso, Window, High Five Spin, Right-to Right Open Position, Tunnel Tabletop Combo, Gravedigger, Tunnel

Description

The Crossed Arm Slide is one of the easiest ways to get into a cross-handed position. The leader guides the follow to loop her arm over her head while he does the same, then they slide off to a right-to-right hand hold.

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Cuddle

Type   Position, Circle, Progressive
Level L evel 2 Beginner
Other Names Sweetheart, Wrap, Cradle
Comes From   Open Position, Belt Loop, Sliding Door, Sliding Door Dip, Loop
Leads To   The Lean, Spin Out, Triple Hip Combo, Outside Turn (half-turn variation), Cuddle Dip, Fall Through Dip, Straight Jacket Twist, Can Opener, Backflip,

Description

The Cuddle is a variation on the Inside Turn with both hands connected. The leader turns the follow to wrap her up in his arms. This is a very versatile move! Learn the basic steps for it below, then check out the variations for ways to customize your dance.

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Open Positions

Type Position
Level Level 1 Beginner
Other Names Butterfly Position, Open Facing, etc. depending on the setup, see variations. Moves to get into it are called Open Break, Snag, Butterfly Catch, etc.
Comes From The Basic Step (Closed Position), Outside Turn, Loop, Arch, Toss Away Spin, Fall Through Dip, Fall For Me Dip, High Five Spin, Arm Push Spin, Hip Push Spin, Straight Jacket Twist, Zig-zag, Sway Step, AZ Winter, Gravedigger, Can Opener, Backflip, Shoulder Lean,
Leads To Hammerlock, Pretzel, Barrel Roll, Belt Loop, Pull Up Dip, Spinneroo, Sliding Door, Loop, Arch, Toss Away Spin, Fall Through Dip, Zig-zag, Candlestick, Knee Throw, Can Opener, Backflip, Shoulder Lean (RR),

Types

There are several types of Open Positions, but for ease I will put them all in the same article.

In Open Position partners are facing the same wall with the lead’s right hand and the follow’s left hand joined. This would occur after a move such as the Spin Out or go directly from closed to open with an open break.

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Hammerlock

Type Position, Transition Move, Circle, Progressive, Turn
Level L evel 2 Beginner
Other Names Matador
Comes From Butterfly Open Position
Leads To Reverse Pretzel, Pretzel (lead Hammerlock), Basic Step (in Hammerlock position), The Lean (in Hammerlock position)

Description

Hammerlock is a variation on the Outside Turn with both hands connected. The leader turns the follower so that one arm is tucked behind her back, and the other crosses in front of him.

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Shadow Position

Type   Position, Progressive
Level    Level 5 Intermediate
Other Names Cape Position, Varsouvienne
Comes From   Cross-Handed Open Position, Open Position, Inside Turn (Right-to-right), Lasso, Double Lasso, Belt Loop, Back Lean, Side Lean, Tunnel
Leads To   Cross-Handed Open Position, Lasso, Double Lasso, Back Lean (lead in front), Side Lean, Shoulder Lean, Shoulder Dip,
The Guitar, Basic Step, Tunnel, Can Opener

Description

In Shadow Position, partners are right-to-right, left-to-left with one person beside and slightly behind the other.

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Cross-Handed Open Position

Type   Position
Other Names    Handshake (Right-to-right variation), Upside Down Handshake (variation)
Level    Level 3 Beginner
Comes From   Basic Step, Crossed Arm Slide, Spinneroo, Tunnel Tabletop Combo, Ravioli Twist, Tunnel
Leads To Waterfall, Outside Turn, Tabletop, Lasso, Double Lasso, Toss Away Spin, Roll Off, The Chase, Tornado, Bow and Arrow, Fall For Me Dip, High Five Spin, Tunnel Tabletop Combo, Ravioli Twist, Tunnel

Description

In Cross-Handed Open Position, the leader and follower are connected right-to-right, and often with left-to-left as well. This position is important to a whole category of cross-handed moves. Steps in this article will teach you a few easy ways to get into this position so you can unlock many new moves.

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