Some odd ballroom ideas?

So, today I was going over some dances with a cousin of mine...and she came up with these odd hand positions...for foxtrot, as an example. The leader has his/right left hand straight out to the side, without any bend, and his/her right hand against the followers back with only the thumb and finger nearest to thumb making contact... Is this some variation of hand positions that is practiced somewhere? My dad did learn to do ballroom dancing in Europe a while back (we are talking of decades, but...) and it didn't make any sense to him...

Then is there a jive variation where one goes tap, step, alternating feet? Anyone heard of this?

Sagitta said:

So, today I was going over some dances with a cousin of mine...and she came up with these odd hand positions...for foxtrot, as an example.

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This is how bad dancing gets spread - someone does something that they saw or 'felt' and does it. if enough people in the crowd look like that and do it, then correct dancing starts to feel bad.

Usually it's geezers who find that their idea of 'shape' is what they think they see...

This idea of "frame" makes absolutely no sense at all to me either Sagitta.

Sagitta said:

Then is there a jive variation where one goes tap, step, alternating feet? Anyone heard of this?

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There are two potential candidates for this:

Point Swivels move sideways in closed position, ending in an Overturned Throwaway Fallaway and usually followed by Chicken Walks.

Stalking Walks happen in PP with double hand hold. The man and woman point and then step, alternating feet while tilting back then forward as the feet change. The arms also play a key role as they move apart and tilt with the body. Quite a complex step which I have not mastered at all.

Sagitta said:

So, today I was going over some dances with a cousin of mine...and she came up with these odd hand positions...for foxtrot, as an example. The leader has his/right left hand straight out to the side, without any bend, and his/her right hand against the followers back with only the thumb and finger nearest to thumb making contact... Is this some variation of hand positions that is practiced somewhere?

Click to expand...

Ah, yes! It's a starting position. The leader then steps forward while vigorously pushing both hands to the left, thus tossing the follower out of the way. After the push, flick the wrists back with fingers spread wide and twist your lips into a grimace of disgust. Then take two steps forward as you wipe your hands together. The count is S-Q-Q.

The reason that only the thumb and forefinger touch the follower's back is that this is the way you'd hold a dirty handkerchief.

The step is called "the Castoff." :wink:

Sorry--long day and I'm feeling goofy. There will probably be a hundred other posts about what a common variation this is--but I've never seen it!

Sometimes an instructor will ask students to place their arms out extended so that the effect of the sway is exaggerated. It's more of a practice thing than a hold one would use in an actual dance.

Hi msc. I have nothing useful to contribute here. Just longish time, no see. Hope all's well. 8)