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Holds Directions Actions Positions

Normal closed hold

Normal open holds

Crossed holds

Facing the line of dance

Facing perpendicular to the line of dance

Change of a hand hold, Change of directions
Cross body lead, Turns, Duck, Check
Copa or 'In and Out', Hand drop, Hand throw
Natural top, Walks
Hammerlock
Half hammerlock or Broken arm
Embrace, Arm loop, Sombrero
Arm lock or Arm hook

Half-Hammerlock or Broken Arm

Variations Description Symbol Thumbnail
Click to enlarge
Left Half-HL for the lady The dancers are facing each other; the lady has her left arm bent behind her back. The man holds the lady's left with his right (a single hand hold)
N*
M → ← L
 
 
HL(Left)
Right Half-HL for the lady The dancers are facing each other; the lady has her right arm bent behind her back. The man holds the lady's right with his left
*N
M → ← L
 
 
HL(Right)
Reverse left Half-HL for the lady This position is similar to the 'Left 1/2HL for the lady', however the dancers are in a crossed hold: left to left
*C
M → ← L
 
 
HL(Left)
Reverse right Half-HL for the lady This position is similar to the 'Right 1/2HL for the lady', however the dancers are in a crossed hold: right to right
C*
M → ← L
 
 
HL(Right)
Left Half-HL for the man The dancers are facing each other; the man has his left arm bent behind his back. The lady holds the man's left with her right
*N
M → ← L
HL(left)
 
Right half HL for the man The dancers are facing each other; the man has his right arm bent behind his back. The lady holds the man's right with her left
N*
M → ← L
HL(Right)
 
 
Reverse left half HL for the man This position is similar to the 'Left 1/2HL for the man', however the dancers are in crossed hold: left to left
*C
M → ← L
HL(Left)
 
 
Reverse right half HL for the man This position is similar to the 'Right 1/2HL for the man', however the dancers are in crossed hold: right to right.
C*
M → ← L
HL(Right)
 
 

 

 
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