Hammerlock is one of the many arm positions used in your Ballroom, Latin and Swing style dances that will come up again and again. This video explains more about it and shows you a few other arm movements to look for.
This Hammerlock position can also be found in Salsa and Rumba.
Rumba Half Wrap
Rumba Full Wrap
Aida To Hammerlock
Aida To Combination Exit
The Leader’s Steps
In this video we are referring to the leader’s steps when we describe the gentlemen’s steps.
Leaders please make sure you avoid having your thumb locked down on the back of the followers hand. This makes the Hammerlock step impossible to execute!
Your hands should be in a soft, ‘cupped’ shape, using finger tip controls to lead rather than a strong gripping action with your hand.
Notice that the leaders need to turn their body slightly and move off of the spot to help the followers rotate to face them. This is one of the moves in Rock ‘n Roll where the leader continues to do their basic step but moves it off of the original spot on the floor to make the step happen.
The Follower’s Steps
In this video we are referring to the follower’s steps when we describe the lady’s steps.
Followers should practise this step on their own many times to get used to the arm position.
Keep your arms nice and loose, don’t tense them.
