Pretzel

8-count · Intermediate

A two-hand move where the couple wraps itself up in its own arms, then unwinds back to face to face.

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  1. Two hands held, rock step, then the follow turns under: one of their arms folds behind their back.
  2. The lead ducks under the same hands and passes behind the follow: hip to hip, facing opposite ways, the follow's hands knotted behind their back.
  3. The follow turns back out under the raised hands: two hands, facing, ready for the next rock step.

Not to be confused with: Cuddle,Texas Tommy

Understanding the move

Count by count

  • 3: the lead's left hand slips palm up into the follow's right and turns them; the lead's right hand is already dropping.
  • 4: the follow's left arm folds, held at their hip by the lead's right hand; the other hands come back in front of the lead's sternum.
  • 5-6: going under, left hand high, right hand low, elbows down, close to the follow's back.
  • Here it's 8 counts in all, rock step included.

Usual mistakes

  • The lead grips instead of letting the hands roll: the follow's arm gets twisted behind their back.
  • The joined hands stay in front of the follow instead of coming back in front of the lead's sternum.

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