Closed Hold

The partners are directly opposite each other. One partner faces forward while the other partner faces backward. The lead's right hand is placed firmly on the follow's back at the shoulder blade with the elbow raised and the arm bent sufficiently to hold their partner close. The left hand of the follow is placed at/on the shoulder of the lead so that the arm rests comfortably, elbow to elbow, on the lead's upper arm. The left arm of the lead and the right arm of the follow are extended comfortably at shoulder height. Their shoulders remain parallel.