Closed position

In closed position partners dance close together in the casino hold. It is the foundation of timba dancing and suits the calmer, groove-based parts of the music, such as the marcha abajo.

The hold

• The leader's right hand rests on the follower's back, just below the shoulder blade.
• The leader's left hand holds the follower's right hand, roughly at shoulder height.
• The follower places their left hand on the leader's shoulder or upper arm.
• The connection runs through the frame: arms and back stay lightly toned, so a small impulse is felt straight away.

What you dance

• The guapea and the basic step, compact and on the spot.
• Small turns and figures in which partners stay close.
• Subtle body movement: hips and shoulders move with the groove without breaking the hold.

When to dance it

Closed position suits the marcha abajo: the lower-energy level of the montuno, often at its start or during transitions. The music is groove-based and relaxed, and the dance follows: grounded, calm and connected.

Once the band shifts up to the marcha arriba, partners often move into open position.