A knowledge of appropriate couple dance positions is important because it allows the dancer freedom to move, gives him the opportunity to improvise steps or place them together in impromptu sequences. It also affords the opportunity to lead and follow gracefully, and look good. Fundamental in all these is good body carriage; the body must always be naturally erect and graceful. 
       There are about eight or ten different dance positions which are quite common to several ballroom dances. Of these, four are primary and essential; the others are adaptations, or are used less frequently. 

The CLOSED POSITION
        The man stands facing the Line  of Dance or LOD . The lady faces him directly, against the Line of Direction. They should be quite close to each other, as near toe to toe as possible, usually with their upper bodies slightly touching each other. Shoulders are held level and are exactly parallel to the partner’s shoulders. 
        The man’s right arm encircles his partner, the right hand placed just below 
 the left shoulder blade, palm in. Her left hand usually rests lightly on his right shoulder or upper arm, depending on their relative heights. 
        His left hand, palm held up and facing slightly forward, firmly but not tightly holds her right hand. The arms are held away from the body, with the elbows slightly curved and just below the lady’s shoulder level. The joined hands are just above the elbows. 
       Partners usually stand very slightly to their own left, so that they may look over each other’s right shoulder; thus, their toes are dovetailed, with the toes of the right foot between and in front of the partner’s feet. 
       This hold  is used mainly for dances like the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Quickstep, but may be used in all other dances as a starting position. 
       A level of resistance will facilitate the man’s lead in the Closed Position. The Man presses his right shoulder slightly against the Lady’s left hand, as she presses her back slightly against his right hand. 

The CONVERSATION POSITION
       This is sometimes called the ‘semi-closed’ or ‘promenade’ position. The man stands with his back to the center of the dance floor (his left shoulder in the line of direction.) The lady, facing him, has her right shoulder in the line of direction. Taking the Closed Dance Position, they turn their upper bodies and heads slightly, to the Man’s left and the Lady’s right, to face in the line of direction. 
       Depending on the step they are doing, the couple may “open up” more or less, sometimes even releasing the partners’ joined hands, but with the man’s right arm kept around his partner’s waist and her left hand on his right shoulder. This is called the “OPEN POSITION”. If only their inside hands are joined, it is called “SIDE BY SIDE POSITION.” 

The RIGHT-SIDE POSITION 
       Partners stand side by side, with their right sides adjacent. The man faces in the line of direction and the lady in the reverse line of direction. Arms and hands are held as in the closed position except that the man should shift his right hand down slightly from under the lady’s shoulder blade to her left side; his left hand should be held in front of his left shoulder, rather than out to the side. This is also known as the “RIGHT PARALLEL POSITION”. 

The LEFT-SIDE POSITION
       This is similar to the previous position, except that left sides are adjacent. 

The TWO HAND POSITION
       Partners face each other and hold hands. The Man left hand holds her right hand; his right hand holds her left hand. His relaxed palms and fingers face up, at least 6 inches apart at waist level. Her four fingers rest firmly but lightly on his four fingers in perpendicular position. The touch and rest their thumbs lightly on the back of their partner’s hands. 
       This hand hold provides enough security for the lady that the man will not let her go, and provides enough flexibility to maneuver their fingers when they turn. 

The SKATER’S POSITION
       Both partners face forward in the LOD, hands joined, in a “hand-shake” and held in front (man’s right hand holding his partner’s right over joined left hands). 

The VARSOVIENNE POSITION
       In this position both partners stand side by side, facing forward in the line of direction. The man’s right hand holds the lady’s right hand at her right shoulder; his left holds her left, extended to the left side. This position is found in many folk or round dances and also in a number of Latin-American dance steps. 

The CRADLE POSITION
       Both partners face the LOD. She on his right side, her hands crossed in front of her. His left hand will be in front holding her right hand. His right hand will be in back of her, holding her left hand. 

The PRETZEL POSITION
       Partners are in Right Parallel Position. Her left hand is behind her back and her right hand is extended to the right. His right hand holds her left hand. His left hand holds her right hand.  She will turn left under her own right  hand to a Cradle Position. She will turn right under her own right hand to return to  Pretzel Position. 

The MACHO POSITION
       This is a Pretzel Position with the man’s left hand (still holding her right hand) lifted over his head to rest at the back of his neck. 

The SPANISH POSE
       The lady has one hand placed in the small of her back and the other hand placed over her head. The arm is rounded, not straight up. The man holds her right hand with his left, and her left hand with his right. 
       This position is normally used in Tango, Foxtrot, and Paso Doble but may also be used effectively in other dances. 

The SHADOW POSITION
       The lady stands in front of the man, diagonally to his right. A shadow can be done when the lady moves directly in front of the man. Her hands will be crossed in front as her right hand is held by his left hand, and her left hand is held by his right hand. 

The BUTTERFLY POSITION
       The pose starts in the Skater’s Position, with left hands crossed over the right hands. The Lady will turn left to face the same direction he faces. If right hands are crossed over left hands, she turns right to face the same direction he does. 
       Either turn will put the partners in Shadow Position, but holding right hand to right hand, and left hand to left hand. 

In each of these positions, the specific hand holds may vary slightly according to the style of the dance. 

TIPS ON DANCING POSITIONS
       Certain guides will help the dancer in taking the various dance positions: 

1. Partners should not be held too closely or tightly. It is simply not proper for a lady to clutch her partner’s shoulder as if she is drowning, or for him to encircle her in a bear grip; this makes smooth dancing impossible. 
2. Several amateur male dancers position their right hand at the lady’s waist or even close to her right side in the Closed Position for the Foxtrot. This is brings their bodies too close and tends to constrict the lady’s movement. It is also socially improper if the partners are not related to each other. 
3. Partners should not be held too loosely either. This looks as if they have hardly been introduced, and makes it difficult to lead or follow. 
4. Partners should not lean excessively forward or backward, sway from side to side, or be turned at an incorrect angle from each other. The dancer should always be erect and facing the  partner exactly (CPB’s facing each other), unless a different position is specifically called for. 
5. Both partners should avoid keeping joined hands straight down. Leading will then be difficult and the lady will not be able to read the signals. 
6. Avoid interlocking fingers in any of the dance holds. Sometimes, just a slight touch, especially during back-to-back positions, are enough. 
7. Never wave joined hands steadily in a “pump-handle” fashion. 
8. The dance position is natural and comfortable, at all times, exaggerated or affected positions should be avoided. The partners simply need to adjust to each other’s height and body build, and learn to lead or follow effectively. 
9. All the dances can start with the Closed Position. So if you are unsure of which Dance Position to use, the Closed Position would be the safest bet.