Waltz Basics

Hammerlocks
(AKA: Pretzel)

Lesson Plan
by
H. Leon Raper

Table of Contents

HELP

An "Exit" implies that the "Exit" will return the dancers into Closed Position in LOD.




Right Hammerlock

This is an incomplete Step Pattern since it ends up leaving Opposite Foot Free. The dancers could go from this Right Hammerlock back to a Right Wrap then Exit Right Wrap, or they could follow this Right Hammerlock with a Right Hammerlock to Left Hammerlock then they could Exit Left Hammerlock back into Closed Position in LOD.

To execute this Pattern, the man lifts his Left Hand while leaving his Right Hand at the woman's waist level. The lead actually comes from the Man's Right forearm placing Resistance against the woman's back to get her to start her Rt Turn (CW). The woman will make 1-1/2 turns and end up facing the man in front of him moving with her back to LOD.

HELP

DEMONSTRATE

Rhythm Unit Cards: Triple, Triple

SETUP

Entry Pattern: Right Wrap

PATTERN

            &a1   &a2   &a3   &a4   &a5   &a6
           [  X     X     X] [  X     X     X]
M:Foot        L     R     L     R     L     R
M:Dir         F     F     F     F     F     F
M:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4


W:Foot        R     L     R     L     R     L
W:Dir         F     B     F     B     B     B
W:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4
W:Turn         1/2Rt>1/2Rt>1/2Rt>

Verbal: [&a1 &a2 &a3] [&a4 &a5 &a6]

IMPORTANT POINTS




Exit Right Hammerlock

The dancers could go from the Right Hammerlock back to a Right Wrap then Exit the Right Wrap, or they could follow the Right Hammerlock with a Right Hammerlock to Left Hammerlock then they could Exit Left Hammerlock. They could then Exit Left Hammerlock back into Closed Position in LOD. Or, they could exit using the Following Step Pattern.

HELP

DEMONSTRATE

Rhythm Unit Cards: Triple, Triple

SETUP

Entry Pattern: Right Wrap

PATTERN

            &a1   &a2   &a3   &a4   &a5   &a6
           [  X     X     X] [  X     X     X]
M:Foot        L     R     L     R     L     R
M:Dir         F     F     F     F     F     F
M:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4


W:Foot        R     L     R     L     R     L
W:Dir         B     F     B     B     B     B
W:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4
W:Turn         1/2Lt>1/2Lt>

Verbal: [&a1 &a2 &a3] [&a4 &a5 &a6]

IMPORTANT POINTS

M: Uses 2 Hand Lead, but leads pattern with his Right Hand. M: Releases Right Hand after count "3".


Right Hammerlock to Left Hammerlock

To execute this Pattern, the man lifts his Left Hand to get the Woman's turn started then brings his Left Hand down to waist level while raising his Right Hand letting the woman continue her turns into the Left Hammerlock. The Man's lead actually comes from the Man's Right Hand getting her to start her Lt Turn (CC). The woman will make 2 full turns and end up facing the man in front of him moving with her back to LOD.

HELP

DEMONSTRATE

Rhythm Unit Cards: Double, Double, Single

SETUP

Entry Pattern: Right Hammerlock

PATTERN

            &a1   &a2   &a3   &a4   &a5   &a6
           [  X     X     X] [  X     X     X]
M:Foot        L     R     L     R     L     R
M:Dir         F     F     F     F     F     F
M:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4


W:Foot        R     L     R     L     R     L
W:Dir         B     F     B     F     B     B
W:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4
W:Turn         1/2Lt>1/2Lt>1/2Lt>1/2Lt>

Verbal: [&a1 &a2 &a3] [&a4 &a5 &a6]

IMPORTANT POINTS




Exit Left Hammerlock

The dancers could go from the Left Hammerlock back to a Right Hammerlock then follow the Right Hammerlock with a Right Wrap from which they could exit into Closed Position in LOD.

The dancers could also exit Exit the Left Hammerlock directly into Closed Position in LOD which is defined as follows:

To execute this Pattern, the man Lifts his Right hand and uses his Left Hand to get the Woman's turn started. After her first full turn, he drops his Right Hand letting the woman continue her turns which will finish up with the dancers in Closed Position in LOD. The woman will make 2 full turns and end up facing the man in front of him moving with her back to LOD.

HELP

DEMONSTRATE

Rhythm Unit Cards: Triple, Triple

SETUP

Entry Pattern: Left Hammerlock

PATTERN

            &a1   &a2   &a3   &a4   &a5   &a6
           [  X     X     X] [  X     X     X]
M:Foot        L     R     L     R     L     R
M:Dir         F     F     F     F     F     F
M:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4


W:Foot        R     L     R     L     R     L
W:Dir         F     B     F     B     B     B
W:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4
W:Turn   1/2Rt>1/2Rt>1/2Rt>1/2RT>

Verbal: [&a1 &a2 &a3] [&a4 &a5 &a6]

IMPORTANT POINTS

M: Uses 2 Hand, but leads pattern with his Left Hand before count "1". M: Releases Right Hand after count "3".


Left Hammerlock to Right Hammerlock

To execute this Pattern, the man lifts his Right Hand to get the Woman's turn started then brings his Righ Hand down to waist level while raising his Left Hand letting the woman continue her turns into the Left Hammerlock. The Man's lead actually comes from the Man's Left Hand getting her to start her Rt Turn (CC). The woman will make 2 full turns and end up facing the man in front of him moving with her back to LOD.

The dancers could go from the Right Hammerlock back to a Right Wrap then Exit the Right Wrap, or they could follow the Right Hammerlock with a Right Hammerlock to Left Hammerlock then they could Exit Left Hammerlock.

HELP

DEMONSTRATE

Rhythm Unit Cards: Triple, Triple

SETUP

Entry Pattern: Left Hammerlock

PATTERN

            &a1   &a2   &a3   &a4   &a5   &a6
           [  X     X     X] [  X     X     X]
M:Foot        L     R     L     R     L     R
M:Dir         F     F     F     F     F     F
M:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4


W:Foot        R     L     R     L     R     L
W:Dir         F     B     F     B     B     B
W:Pos         4     4     4     4     4     4
W:Turn   1/2Rt>1/2Rt>1/2Rt>1/2RT>

Verbal: [&a1 &a2 &a3] [&a4 &a5 &a6]

IMPORTANT POINTS


[Waltz Basics]