A handhold is a manner the dancers hold each other's hands during the dance. A hold is the way one partner holds another one with hands. Hold and handhold are important components of connection in dance.
Waist-hand hold
Shoulder-waist hold
Shoulder blade hold
Ballroom hold
Banjo hold
Barn dance hold
Butterfly hold: in face-to-face dance position, the arms are extended sideways palm to palm, elbows slightly bent
Shoulder hold (varsouvienne hold)
Cross-back hold
Promenade hold
Short-arm hold
Skaters hold
Back skaters hold: partners side-by-side, same hands joined, man right arm around lady's waist with right hands on the lady's right hip, left hands joined in front, man's hand palm up
Front skaters hold
V hold
Hammerlock hold
Sweetheart hold
Cuddle hold
When danced in line or circle formation, the handholds usually connect a dancer with the two immediate neighbors, sometimes with the two second next neighbors. Exceptions are free hands of the first and last persons in the line formation.
A number of these holds may be used in couple dances (a couple is a line of just two).
Shoulder hold
Chain hold
Basket hold
Front basket hold: Arms are extended sideways in front of the neighbors to connect with the arms of the second next person
Back basket hold: Arms are extended sideways behind the neighbors to connect with the arms of the second next person
Belt hold: Each dancer holds the belts of the neighbors
Escort hold: one arm slightly rounded with arm at waist level, the neighbor from this side place the opposite hand on the forearm through the space formed by founded arm
