In closed position, the leader’s right hand is on the follower’s back while the follower’s left arm rests on the leader’s right arm. This position can be tricky when the follower is going into closed from a spin because her left arm can be trapped by the leader’s right arm. This pinned-arm position, with the … Read more
For most WCS dancers, closed position exists during starter steps and the middle of the whip—and that’s about it. While dancing in open position creates a lot of opportunities for the partners to move independently, adding more closed position movements can both create different kinds of opportunities in the dance and can create contrast in … Read more
Most WCS songs, especially contemporary songs, have a verse-chorus structure. In these songs, the chorus is generally more energetic than the verses. An easy way to adapt your dancing to show this contrast is by shifting between closed and open position. The Drill: With a partner, dance to a song with a clear verse-chorus structure, … Read more
by Brian B at west coast swing online
Brian & Megan 
