Open position

In open position partners stand apart, holding one or two hands or briefly letting go altogether. There is room for bigger figures, turns and styling, which suits the energetic parts of the music, such as the marcha arriba.

The hold

• Partners stand facing each other about an arm's length apart.
• They hold one hand or both hands; the lead goes through the arms and hands instead of the back.
• Sometimes they let go completely, and it becomes suelta or despelote.

What you dance

• Bigger casino figures and turns, such as dile que no, enchufla and vacílala.
• Styling: arms, shoulders and hips get more room.
• Afro-Cuban body movement from rumba and Orisha dances.

When to dance it

Open position suits the marcha arriba: the higher-energy level of the montuno, during the climax or the pregón. The music is driving and intense, and the dance becomes bigger and freer.

When the band drops back to the marcha abajo, partners often pick each other up again in closed position.