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Discofox figures4 minutes
Discofox Pretzel: Step-by-step guide
By Mary De LucaUpdated
- The Discofox pretzel is initiated via a double hand-hold grip, where the partners wrap closely around each other through a turn of the lady.
- The gentleman leads the lady with a gentle hand lift over her head, so that both partners end up shoulder to shoulder facing the same direction.
- The flawless release of the pretzel is achieved by a simple backward turn of the lady under the gentleman's raised arms back into the basic position.
- For the entire sequence of movement, a loose hand grip is crucial to prevent painful twisting of the wrists.
The pretzel is an absolute eye-catcher on every dance floor. With our precise instructions, you will learn how to artfully wrap your arms around each other and how to elegantly resolve the figure at any time.
What you should bring along
- Confident Discofox basic step in time with the music
- Ability to maintain a relaxed double-hand hold
- Mutual trust during close turns
- Some space on the dance floor in all directions
The fascination of the intricate pretzel figure
The pretzel is one of the absolute classics among the wrap figures in Discofox. It captivates with its intricate look, where both partners stand close together and their arms are artfully intertwined. But as spectacular as the figure looks on the dance floor, its structure is logical and fluid once you master the right technique. Unlike other wrap figures that you can find in the Discofox figure guide, the pretzel requires holding both hands continuously and having a fine sense for building tension and pressure.
To dance the figure elegantly and painlessly, it is all about flexibility in the wrists and proactive leading. The leader initiates the movement by sending the follower into a controlled turn, while the hands interlock loosely without gripping tightly. As soon as the wrap position is reached, both partners dance briefly in a small space next to each other before the figure is resolved via a targeted backward turn. Understanding this harmonious change of wrapping, holding, and unwrapping is the key to success.
6 steps to the perfect pretzel
Switching to double hand hold
Start with the regular Discofox basic step and switch in time to the double hand hold, where your right and left hands are loosely facing each other.
Initiating the lady's turn
On the first beat, the gentleman raises his left hand and, with a gentle impulse, guides the lady clockwise into a turn in front of his chest.
Leading the arms over the head
While the lady turns, the gentleman leads the raised hands over her head, so that the arms wrap around each other as if by themselves.
Stabilizing the wrap position
At the end of the turn, the lady stands close in front of or slightly offset next to the gentleman. Both are looking in the same direction, and their arms are intertwined in front of their bodies.
Initiating the reverse turn
To release the pretzel, the leader raises their left hand again and gives the follower the signal to turn out backwards in a counter-clockwise direction.
Returning to the basic step
As soon as the lady has finished the turn, the gentleman lowers his arms and you glide harmoniously back into the normal Discofox basic step.
The most important do's and don'ts for the pretzel
Like this
- Hook your hands together loosely
- Keep your arms bent and relaxed during the turn
- Maintain eye contact briefly while wrapping
Don't do this
- Clutch the partner's fingers tightly
- Keep the arms stiff and completely locked
- Hectically pull on the partner's arms
An overview of the pretzel phases
Before you start
Preparation
The execution
During
The release
Arrival
Frequently Asked Questions
The pretzel differs from the basket in that in the basket, the lady is wrapped in at the side of the gentleman, while in the pretzel, both partners are intertwined much more closely and symmetrically due to the double handhold.
If your hands get tangled, it is usually due to a grip that is too tight. Partners should only place their fingers loosely into each other, like hooks, so that the hands can rotate flexibly within each other during the turns.
The best way to untangle the pretzel is for the gentleman to lift his left hand and let the lady turn out backwards under his arm with a gentle impulse until both are back in the normal basic step.
Discofox courses near you
Find the right dance school and learn the pretzel move right on the dance floor.
DiscofoxLimbach-Oberfrohna · Germany
Discofox Club - 14-tägigWednesday · 20:30 · Oct 21
Limbach-Oberfrohna
€16.50MonthlyCouple danceLimbach-Oberfrohna · Germany
PaartanzkreisFriday · 18:15 · Oct 23
Limbach-Oberfrohna
€38.50MonthlyCouple danceLimbach-Oberfrohna · Germany
Silberkurs für PaareSunday · 16:15 · Oct 25 - Nov 15
Limbach-Oberfrohna
€110Total price
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