Closed hold

Partners face each other, one skating forwards and one backwards, directly opposite with their shoulders parallel.

Also called closed position, waltz hold or waltz position. Other names.

Not checked yet. The mechanics on this page are a first draft by a non-expert, and no coach has seen them yet. Read them as a starting point and check them with a coach. Corrections are very welcome.

The partners stand directly opposite each other, so one faces the way the couple travels and skates forwards while the other skates backwards. The lead’s right hand sits on the follow’s back at the shoulder blade, with the elbow raised and bent enough to keep the follow close. The follow’s left arm rests along the lead’s upper arm, elbow to elbow, with the hand on the lead’s shoulder. The other two arms are extended to the side at shoulder height, hands joined. The shoulders stay parallel.

U.S. Figure Skating’s rulebook also calls it the waltz hold. The Fourteenstep, the American Waltz, the European Waltz and the Willow Waltz are skated in it nearly throughout, and the Swing Dance is closed apart from its hand-in-hand steps.

Offset or partial outside versions shift one partner a little to the side, part way to the outside hold.

Appears in