Close Position in Salsa On2: definition, module and class

Taught in

Close Position, a module of Partnerwork 101

From the module notes

The Closed Embrace 🤝

Everything so far has been the open embrace. This is the closed one, and it comes from ballroom. You are connected above all through the right arm.

Once the frame exists, you stop announcing anything. Change direction and she already knows. The connection does the talking.

Lead: Steps and Technique 🕺

The elbow stays up. Never dance with it dropped. That raised elbow is what lets her place her arms.
Your hand sits on her shoulder blade, and no lower.
Stand staggered, slightly to your left, not square on. That is what stops you hitting each other, and it works in your basic too.
Come in with judgement. Start further away and assess the level. If she is more of a beginner, more distance is more comfortable. Come closer only if she creates the space. Never assume.

Follower: Steps and Technique 💃

Your elbow rests on his elbow, your hand on his shoulder blade.
Your arms are resting, not pressing. Do not put your weight into them.
Keep the tension, but do not force it. I had a lot of shoulder pain when I started dancing, from gripping too hard.
When he steps back out of close position, you do not move. You stay in your basic. He is the one travelling.

The Son Step 🎶

In close position you can dance your basic, or this step, which comes from Son. Son is a kind of mother dance for everything under the Salsa umbrella, usually danced on Contratiempo, so its real timing differs from the version shown here.

step to the right on 1, together on 2, 3, open to the right on 5, the follower mirroring left

For styling, think of the hips as an infinity, a sideways eight. Flex the knees, weight slightly on the tip of the foot.

💡 Drill it: Two steps is already a dance. A few Son Steps travelling in different directions fills a solid 30 seconds of a song.

🎯 Community

Practice without judging yourself. Every dancer started exactly where you are. Be patient. This lands in the body over months, not days. Record yourself. You will see things you cannot feel. Post it in the community tab, or on Instagram tagging the page.

Related moves

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From the module notes

The Closed Embrace 🤝

Everything so far has been the open embrace. This is the closed one, and it comes from ballroom. You are connected above all through the right arm.

Once the frame exists, you stop announcing anything. Change direction and she already knows. The connection does the talking.

Lead: Steps and Technique 🕺

The elbow stays up. Never dance with it dropped. That raised elbow is what lets her place her arms.
Your hand sits on her shoulder blade, and no lower.
Stand staggered, slightly to your left, not square on. That is what stops you hitting each other, and it works in your basic too.
Come in with judgement. Start further away and assess the level. If she is more of a beginner, more distance is more comfortable. Come closer only if she creates the space. Never assume.

Follower: Steps and Technique 💃

Your elbow rests on his elbow, your hand on his shoulder blade.
Your arms are resting, not pressing. Do not put your weight into them.
Keep the tension, but do not force it. I had a lot of shoulder pain when I started dancing, from gripping too hard.
When he steps back out of close position, you do not move. You stay in your basic. He is the one travelling.

The Son Step 🎶

step to the right on 1, together on 2, 3, open to the right on 5, the follower mirroring left

For styling, think of the hips as an infinity, a sideways eight. Flex the knees, weight slightly on the tip of the foot.

💡 Drill it: Two steps is already a dance. A few Son Steps travelling in different directions fills a solid 30 seconds of a song.

🎯 Community

Practice without judging yourself. Every dancer started exactly where you are. Be patient. This lands in the body over months, not days. Record yourself. You will see things you cannot feel. Post it in the community tab, or on Instagram tagging the page.