PREFACE

Callerlab, Revised 12/10/93
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OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the Basic/Mainstream call definitions is a to provide clear, concise, simple explanations of the terms and calls used in the Mainstream Program.
(1) STARTING FORMATION
Starting formations are listed for each of the defined calls. The smallest basic formation has been listed. Multiples of this formation may be possible. For example, the minimum number of dancers required to dosado is two. It is possible, however, to have four dancers in a line facing four dancers in an opposite line ready for a dosado. In this case, there are four multiples of the basic formations.
(2) FACING DANCERS
Facing dancers, unless otherwise specified, may be any combination of men and women.
(3) COUPLES
Couples, unless otherwise specified, may be any combination of men and women
(4) PASSING RULE
Whenever two dancers are walking toward each other and are about to collide, they pass right shoulders and continue.
(5) SAME POSITION RULE
Whenever two dancers are walking toward each other and are required to occupy the same position, they join right hands in a mini wave sharing that position.
(6) FACING COUPLE RULE
Some calls, which normally start from ocean waves, can also be done when dancers are in facing couples (e.g. swing thru, spin the top, can the top, etc.). In this case, the dancers first step into a momentary right ocean wave and complete the call unless the caller specifically directs a left hand call (e.g. left swing thru, etc.) in which case the dancers step into a momentary left ocean wave and complete the call. Exceptions to this rule are listed in the body of the definitions.
This rule also applies when calls which require two parallel ocean waves (e.g. spin chain thru) are called with the dancers in an eight chain thru formation
(7) OCEAN WAVE RULE
Some calls which normally start from facing couples can be done when dancers are in ocean waves (e.g. right and left thru, box the gnat, square thru, slide thru, pass to the center, etc.) In this case, the dancers have already stepped forward toward the facing dancer and are ready to complete the remaining action of the directed call. For the sake of dancer comprehension and teaching purposes, it may be necessary to initially have the dancers back up into facing couples, then step back into the wave to complete the call.
This rule also applies when calls which normally start from two facing dancers (e.g. turn thru) are called from a mini wave.

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