Stance configurations

Stance configurations #

Stance configurations define how the leader and the follower stand relative to each other and what handhold configuration they are in.

Parallel #

A specific double handhold. The leader’s left hand ring finger and middle finger (pointing to the right) are held by the follower’s right hand (pointing down) at waist level, and the leader’s right hand ring and middle finger (pointing to the left) are held by the follower’s left hand (pointing down) at waist level sort of like the characters |=|.

Reached via:

[contemporary Hustle whip]
[right-side inside pass into parallel position]

Back-to-front #

The follower and the leader face in the same direction while the follower stands in front of the leader while holding the leader’s hand in a regular handhold at waist-level.

Reached via:

[single-arm turn-in]

Left hammerlock #

The leader stands slightly to the left of the follower, maintaining a double handhold where the leader’s hands point down and the follower’s left hand is behind the back pointing outside while the right hand is pointing down.

Reached via:

[double-arm turn-in]
[hustle whip outside pivot turn]

Right hammerlock #

The leader stands slightly to the right of the follower, maintaining a double handhold where the leader’s hands point down and the follower’s right hand is behind the back pointing outside while the left hand is pointing down.

Left shoulder-lock #

A leader [left hammerlock]. A [closed] position variation. The leader stands face to face with the follower, but the leader is offset about one foot to the left of the follower because the leader holds the follower’s right hand with the left hand from a shoulder lock position. The leader places the back of the right hand on the follower’s right shoulder in order to lead a whip or some other pattern. This position can be reached by the leader by starting from an open position and performing a right-side pass inside turn with a leader clockwise turn without releasing the follower’s hand.

Right shoulder-lock #

A leader [right hammerlock]. A [closed] position variation. The leader stands face to face with the follower, but the leader is offset about one foot to the right of the follower because the leader holds the follower’s left hand with the right hand from a shoulder lock position. The leader places the back of the left hand on the follower’s left shoulder in order to lead a whip or some other pattern. [^1]

Left waiter #

An [open] position in which the leader has the palm of his left hand horizontally positioned over his left shoulder (like a waiter carrying a big plate of food). In this case, the hand is as close to the shoulder and to the neck as comfortably possible. This hold requires the leader and the follower to be facing in the same direction, sort of like >¯>, where the follower stands behind the leader as the leader holds the follower’s hand at the shoulder. Usually the next step is to leave the follower’s hand at the shoulder.

Right waiter #

An [open] position in which the leader has the palm of his right hand horizontally position over his right shoulder (like a waiter carrying a big plate of food). In this case, the hand is as close to the shoulder and to the neck as comfortably possible. This hold requires the leader and the follower to be facing in the same direction, sort of like >_>, where the follower stands behind the leader as the leader holds the follower’s hand at the shoulder. Usually the next step is to leave the follower’s hand at the shoulder.

Left shoulder #

An [open] position in which the leader has the back of his right hand touching his left shoulder. In this case, the hand should rest over the shoulder close to the neck, with the palm of the hand visible and pointing up and to the left. This position is reached by bringing your right hand over your head onto your left shoulder, like tracing the character ⋂ over your head (an upside down U) while rotating 180 degrees clockwise (this can be done in two steps, like in a salsa left turn steps 3 and 4). At the end of the turn, the leader and the follower will be facing in the same direction, sort of like >¯>, where the follower stands behind the leader as the leader holds the follower’s hand at the shoulder. Usually the next step is to leave the follower’s hand at the shoulder.

Right shoulder #

An [open] position in which the leader has the back of his left hand touching his right shoulder. In this case, the hand should rest over the shoulder close to the neck, with the palm of the hand visible and pointing up and to the right. This position is reached by bringing your left hand over your head onto your right shoulder, like tracing the character ⋂ over your head (an upside down U) while rotating 180 degrees clockwise (this can be done in two steps, like in a salsa right turn steps 2 and 3). At the end of the turn, the leader and the follower will be facing in the same direction, sort of like >_>, where the follower stands behind the leader as the leader holds the follower’s hand at the shoulder. Usually the next step is to leave the follower’s hand at the shoulder.

Right picture #

In this position, you stand next-to-and-to-the right of the follower, with your hips only a couple of inches apart. Both of you face in the same direction with your faces, bodies, and feet. The follower’s right arm extends from your left shoulder, behind your neck, and the right hand rests on your right shoulder. Meanwhile, your left hand rests on the follower’s upper back or on the follower’s left shoulder.

Reached via:

[weird handshake left-side pass inside chain turn right picture hold]

Stance configurations