Tunnel

Type Turn
Level Intermediate 6
Other Names
Comes From Tabletop, Double Lasso, Crossed Arm Slide, Low Shadow Position, Cross-Handed Open Position,
Leads To Open Position, Double Lasso, Cross-Handed Open Position, Break Up, Back Lean, Low Shadow Position, Tabletop,

Description

The follower goes through the leader’s arms and behind his back to the other side. A classic two step move that can add some serious style to your dancing. It’s the cousin of the Tabletop and works well in combos.

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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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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  Level 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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Break Up

Type    Transition Move
Level     Level 4 Intermediate
Other Names Necklace (over the follow’s head variation), Sunburst (variation), Burst (variation)
Comes From   Cross-Handed Open Position, Spinneroo, Tabletop, Double Lasso, Window, Tunnel Tabletop Combo, Tunnel 
Leads To   Open Position, Fall For Me Dip, Hip Push Spin, Basic Step

Description

This move is an easy and sassy way to end any cross-handed turn or spin. The leader breaks the follows hand grip behind his head and she pushes off of his chest.

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Spinneroo

Type    Spin, Transition Mov
Level    Level 2 Beginner
Other Names    Double Handed Overhead Turn, Dishrag
Comes From    Open Position, Loop
Leads To    Sliding Door, Sliding Door Dip, Window, Cross-Handed Open Position, The Break Up, Toss Away Spin, Fall For Me Dip, Hip Push Spin, Cuddle, Cuddle Dip, The Window,

Description

The Spinneroo is a variation to the Inside Turn with both hands turning overhead. It is not to be confused with a Barrel Roll in which both partners turn simultaneously, and hands are separated wide.

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