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Tom Fromm writes:
23. BEND THE LINE: Starting formation -any line with an even number of dancers.
Dancers in each half of the line must be facing in the same direction. The center dancers in the line drop hands with each other. With each half of the line working as a unit, the ends move forward while the centers back up until both halves of the line are facing.

STYLING: As ends move forward, centers back up equally. Use normal couple handhold and in the event a new line is formed, immediately join hands in the new line. TIMING: Lines of four, six, or eight, 4 steps.

I will teach this move, from lines facing out first. I will put them in normal couple lines, (Always, when I teach a move for the first time, I pair them with original partner.) and say it is time for a new move. I will tell them the name of the move, and the definition. I will tell them, this is where the move starts. Now I will tell them to look at the couple on the other end of the line they are in. I tell them, that when I say, that they will move in such a way, that they will be facing that couple. I'll tell them, that in order to do this smoothly, the end dancers are going to walk forward, while the center dancers will back up. I will tell the two center dancers to drop hands, but keep the hand hold with your partner. Now bend the line. I'll cue them through it that way and have them pass thru and walk them thru it again.
After we have done the move from out facing lines several times, I will show it from facing lines. Depending on how much time is left in that session, and how the dancers are doing with Bend The Line, determines how much further we go that night. If time allows, and they are up to it, I will work with sashayed couples, then same sex couples. If necessary, we will hold those two setups for the following lesson.
The following lesson, I will do a quick re-teach. After we get all of the above worked out, I will introduce two face lines. Once again, I will use sashayed couples, as well as same sex couples.
Although the flow may be questionable, two bend the lines, back to back will help to see if they are understanding the call. If starting from two face lines, three bend the lines will give a different feel, and change the ones backing up. After we have all the Basic calls learned, I will go back and "play" with some things such as tidal two face lines, and two faced lines of six. Although I feel this sort of stuff would be EA or workshop material, it is part of the move. These are some of the things we can do to make the Basic program more interesting.
Dan Koft writes:
I teach Veer Left before Circle to a Line so the first time they see this it is in 2 faced lines. I tell them:
1) End dancers hold onto the dancer beside you (Don't let them let go of you)
2) Center dancers let go of the other center
3) Working together as couples turn to face the other couple in line with you.
I work it this way because ends have only one hand hold and so know who to hang onto. Centers have two hand holds and may not know which is the center of the line.

Jim Penrod