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Tom Fromm writes:
30. DIVE THRU: Starting formation -facing couples (man and lady). The
couple whose
back is to the center of the square (unless a specific couple is
directed) makes an arch by
raising their joined inside hands. The other couple ducks under the arch
and moves
forward. The couple making the arch moves forward and does a California
twirl. If neither
couple has its back to the center of the set, then one couple must be
directed to dive thru
the other couple.
STYLING: The couple making the arch uses a loose handhold. Stand far
enough apart to
allow another couple to dive under. It is permissible for dancers making
the arch to part
hands momentarily if it is uncomfortable to reach over diving dancers.
After hands are
rejoined, styling should be the same as previously described for
California twirl. Couple
diving under uses couple handhold. Bend low enough and stay close enough
to partner to
move comfortably underneath the arch.
TIMING: Box, couple diving, 2 steps; couple facing out, 6.
When teaching this move, I will tell them that we are going to learn a
new move. I'll tell
them the name of the move, and read them the definition.
I will walk them through a few times, telling the centers to make an
arch, and the others
"dive" through. I tell the ones that made the arch, to do a california
twirl. For a few times,
I will remind the ones that made the arch, to do that california twirl. I
will tell them that
they may need to temporarily drop the arch, to allow taller dancers to
get under.
To start with, I will only use dive thru from an eight chain thru
starting position. Also, I
will only have the centers make the arch. Later, I will show them that we
can do it from
facing lines, but that I have to specify who does the diving. I will also
have them in eight
chain thru, and designate the centers to do the diving. Many will say
these later uses,
are considered extended application. I want to at least show it to them.
I found that when
teaching a class with no angels, this use went very well. It was at their
first dance with
existing dancers, that we ran into problems, and had to refrain from
using them.