| MOVEMENT & STYLING | TIMING |
| CIRCLE FAMILY - All dancers walk forward with joined hands, mens' palms up and ladies' palms down, elbows bent comfortably so that hands are above the elbow.
TOP | Standing or static square (SS) 8 people, full around, 16 steps; three quarters, 12 steps; one half, 8 steps; one quarter, 4 steps.
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| FORWARD & BACK - Couples have inside hands joined. As couples meet in the center, outside hands may be touched palm to palm. As the foot is grought to the touch (on the 4th and 8th counts), it should remain on the floor. TOP | SS (static square) all, 8 steps, heads or sides, 8 steps; rock forward and back, 4 steps; balance, 4 steps. |
DOSADO - Men - arms in natural dance position, right shoulders forward as right shoulders pass, left shoulders forward as left shoulders pass.
Ladies - both hands on skirt, moving skirt forward and back to avoid opposite dancer, right hand forward as right shoulders pass, left hand forwars as left shoulders pass. TOP | SS with corner, 6 steps; with partner, 6 steps; from a Box formation (see "Dancer Tips" at Basic #20), 6 steps; SS across the set 8 steps. |
SWING - MEN - left arm bent at the elbow, palm slightly up, right hand on lady's back slightly above the waist, posture should be erect.
LADIES - right hand palm down on man's left hand, left hand on man's right shoulder, arm resting on man's right arm.
FOOTWORK: WALK AROUND - use short walking or shuffling steps around the central point.
See BUZZ STEP TOP | Advanced skill, usually 4 to 8 beats of music, used at caller's discretion. |
| PROMENADE FAMILY - In promeenade position the man's hands are palm up. right forearm pver the ladie's left arm. Lady's hands are palm down in man's hand. Joined hands should be positioned equally between partners. In SINGLE FILE PROMENADE man's arms are held in natural dance position; lady's hands on skirt, working with the natural swing motion. TOP | SS, couples promenading full around, 16; three quarters, 12; one half, 8; one quarter, 4; 4 people promenading inside, 8. |
ALLEMANDE
FAMILY - The arms are held past the wrist but not past the elbow joint. Each dancer places his hand on the inside of the arm of the person with whom he is to work. The fingers and thumb are held in close. The center of the turn will be at the joined arms, so, while turning, each dancer is moving equally around the other. TOP | Full around, 8; three quarters, 6; one half, 4; one quarter, 2. |
| RIGHT AND LEFT GRAND - In the right and left grand for all dancers, hands are involved with alternating pull-by movements, no twirls. Arms should be held in natural dance position and the handhold position should be released as dancers pass each other. Men particularly should stand tall and resist the temptation to lean over and stretch out their hand to the next person. Just a comfortable extention of the arm and hand is all that is necessary. In the WEAVE the ring, ladies will work their skirt with both hands as they move around the square, not exaggerated but with both hands on skirt. Mend hold hands in natural dance position. The motion is one with the circle not too large and with dancers leading with their right shoulder as they pass the dancer on the right, then with the left shoulder as they pass the dancer on the left. Brief eye contact should be made as they meet each dancer. TOP | Until you meet your partner on the other side, 10 steps. |
| STAR FAMILY - In a forward moving star inside hands should be joined in a “palm star” position (hands of those making the star at about average eye level - palms touching), arms bent at elbow. Men’s outside arms in natural dance position, ladies’ outside hands work skirt. TOP | 4 people, full around, 8; three quarters, 6; one half, 4; one quarter, 2. 8 people, full around, 16; three quarters, 12; one half, 8; one quarter, 4. |
| STAR PROMENADE - Man’s right shoulder slightly forward as right shoulders pass. Arms in natural dance position. Ladies work skirts with hands, right hand leading as right shoulders pass. TOP | From a static square (SS), heads or sides passing thru across the set, 4; Box, 2. |
| PASS THRU - Man's right shoulder slightly forward as right shoulders pass. Arms in natural dance position. Ladies work skirts with hands, right hand leading as right shoulders pass. TOP | From a static square (SS), heads or sides pass thru across the set, 4; Box, 2. |
| SPLIT THE OUTSIDE COUPLE - Men’s arms in natural dance position; ladies may work skirts. The couple that is separated by the active couple simply moves out of the way so that the active couple may move between them. Once the active couple has moved through and is out of the way, the couple who separated will move together once again. TOP | SS, heads or sides pass thru around one to a line, 8; around two to a line, 10; to home, 12. From a Box, insides split the outsides to a line, 4 steps; to home position, 6. |
HALF SASHAY
FAMILY - Hands held in normal couple handhold. Man and lady each use a slight pulling motion toward each other as they initiate the sashay movement. ROLLAWAY: Hand holds same as joined couples. Man should slightly pull lady as both man and lady reach to join hands and continue pulling motion with outside hands. Man steps back with left foot, to the side and across. LADIES IN, MEN SASHAY: Men’s hands in slightly up position ready to rejoin the ladies in the circle. Ladies should have both hands on skirt when moving to the center and momentarily bunch skirts before returning to the circle. TOP | Half sashay, 4 steps; Rollaway, 4;
Ladies in, men sashay, 4. |
| TURN BACK FAMILY - Arms in natural dance position TOP | 2 steps. |
| SEPARATE - Those not active will move forward to get out of the way so that those moving will not have so far to go. Men's arms in natural dance position; ladies' skirt work optional. TOP | 2 steps. |
| COURTESY TURN - Men, the extended left hand serves as a direction indicator and the man uses his left hand to lead, not pull. Place the right hand in the small of the lady’s back. Ladies use the right hand to work the skirt. The call courtesy turn is limited to turning a woman on the man’s right. TOP | 4 steps |
| LADIES CHAIN FAMILY - Men release partner then turn right shoulder slightly toward the center of the square to begin the courtesy turn portion of the call, step back with the left foot. Ladies use handshake pull by for two ladies chain. No skirt work except as part of the courtesy turn. Three quarter and four ladies chain, ladies use the hands up palm star, touching right hands in the star pattern. It is important that the man clears a path for receiving the lady after the chain by moving slightly to the right and starting the courtesy turn motion before the lady arrives. TOP | SS, two ladies across set, 8 steps; three quarters, 10; four ladies across set, 8; three quarters, 10; down the line, 8. |
| DO PASO - All dancers’ hands in position for forearm turns, alternating left and right. When the courtesy turn portion of the Do Paso is replaced by a different logical basic, then the styling reverts to that basic. TOP | SS from start to finish of courtesy turn, 16 steps; to the next call, 12. |
| LEAD RIGHT - Normal couple hand hold between the man and lady, outside hands in normal dance position TOP | 4 steps |
| RIGHT & LEFT THRU - Each dancer takes regular hand shake hold (right hand) with opposite as they move by each other. They relase hands immediately as they pull by. For courtesy turn styling, refer to that Basic #15. TOP | (Couples standing closer together), 6; OW (within an ocean wave - a formation that appears in Basic #35), 6 steps. |
| GRAND SQUARE - Men’s arms in natural dance position; ladies work skirt with natural swinging action. When moving forward and backward as a couple, normal couple handhold is desired. TOP | 32 Counts |
| STAR THRU - Hands are joined in the arch, palm to palm, fingers pointed up. Hand grip should be readjusted to couple handhold after the basic is completed. Join hands in raised position approximately eye level. It is important that hands not e joined before that point. Man’s hand should be used to stabilize as the lady provides her own momentum. It is equally important that the man’s arm remain well above the lady’s head. TOP | 4 steps from point of contact. |
| CIRCLE TO A LINE - The circle portion is the same styling as in circle eight. As the man breaks with his left hand to form a line, he should lead the line several steps before turning. After the end lady has released her right hand, and while retaining the right hand of the man beside her, together they will raise their joined hands and make an arch. Then as the line begins to straighten out, she will move forward under this arch, turning left face gradually under her own left arm so that instead of backing up she moving forward to the end of the line. TOP | 8 steps |
| BEND THE LINE - As ends move forward, centers back up equally. Use normal couple hand hold and in the event a new line is formed, immediately join hands in the new line. TOP | Lines of four, six or eight, 4 steps. |
| ALL AROUND THE LEFT HAND LADY - Men’s arms in natural dance position. Ladies use both hands on skirt, moving skirt forward and back to avoid opposite dancer | 8 steps. |
| SEE SAW - When combined with all around your corner, styling is the same as in all around the left hand lady except that left shoulders are kept adjacent and left hand and left shoulder should be kept forward. When used as a left shoulder dosado, styling is the same as dosado except that left shoulder leads first. TOP | 8 steps. |
| SQUARE THRU FAMILY - Styling should be similar to that in Right and Left Grand. Corners should be rounded off rather than pulling through and doing a square military turn. TOP | SS, 4 people full, 10 steps; three quarters, 8; one half, 6; one quarter, 4. Box, 4 people full, 8; three quarters, 6; one half, 4;one quarter, 2 steps. |
| CALIFORNIA TWIRL - Men and ladies use loose hand grip. Outside hands in natural dance position. It is important that the man does not "wind" the lady. Man's hand should be used to stabilize as the lady provides her own momentum. It is also important that the man's hand remain well above the lady's head. Hands should be adjusted to normal couple hand holds after completion of the basic. TOP | 4 steps. |
| DIVE THRU -
The couple making the arch uses a loose hand hold. 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. Couples diving under uses couple handhold. Bend low enough and stay close enough to partner to move comfortably underneath the arch. TOP
| Couple diving, 2 steps; couples facing out, 6 |
| WHEEL AROUND - Same as in couples promenade TOP | 4 steps |
| THAR FAMILY -
When the men are in the center backing up, their right hands will form a packsaddle/box star, taking the wrist of the man in front of him. When the ladies star, they will simply touch hands in the center. The dancers forming the star must remember to allow those on the outside to set the pave, since they have to travel a much further distance. If the centers move too fast, the result is that those on the outside will have to run to maintain the pace. As in any star, the ladies, while on the outside, may elect to hold their skirts. TOP
| SS, from allemande left to point of backup star, 12 steps |
| SHOOT THE STAR - The forearm position is used for shooting the star. Outside hands free and in natural dance position. Lady will continue to hold skirt until hand is needed for next command. TOP | Regular, 4 steps; full around. |
| SLIP THE CLUTCH -
Despite the change of moving direction, you can make the switch flowing and comfortable if the armhold is released effortlessly and that same hand is held ready to turn the next person as directed. TOP
| 2 steps |
| BOX THE GNAT - Starting with a handshake position. The joined fingers must be held so that the man’s fingers may turn over the lady’s fingers easily while still providing some degree of security or stabilization. At the completion of the movement, the hands should be in handshake position. TOP | 4 steps from point of contact. |
OCEAN WAVE
FAMILY - Dancers should use hands-up position. Forward distance between dancers should be determined by the arm position of the dancer which is extended forward and bent slightly at the elbow. Care should be taken not to pull down on the partner’s arm. In the ccean wave balance, hands should never come behind the shoulders. step forward touch, step back touch. or, as a pleasing variation, use a two-step (step, close, step, hold) forward and a two-step (step, close, step, hold) back. Hands may be used to resist forward motion to prevent stepping through too far. TOP | One balance forward and back, 4 steps |
| PASS THE OCEAN - Couples who pass thru and face partner use styling similar to that described in pass thru. TOP | 4 steps |
| EXTEND -
All dancers move forward smoothly during the extending action and use appropriate handholds and styling for the formation achieved. TOP | 2 steps |
SWING THRU
FAMILY -
All hands are joined in hands-up position, elbows in close. Exert slight pressure to assist opposite dancer in turning. Arcing turns should be utilized rather than pull by type of movements and should flow effortlessly from one turn to the other so that you are in a sense, “weaving” along the line. TOP
| 6 steps from point of contact. |
| RUN FAMILY - Hands should bend into handhold required for following formation (i.e. wave or line). TOP | From ocean waves, centers, 4 steps; cross run, 6; ends cross run, 6. |
| TRADE FAMILY -
Any two adjacent opposite facing dancers use normal hands up position for turning as in swing thru type movements. Girls trading (i.e. from end of line) will use normal skirt work. Couples trad use normal couple handhold and styling similar to wheel and deal, Basic #40. When doing a partner trade, use inside hands to exert slight pressure to assist each other in trading. TOP
| SS, partner, 4 steps; OW, centers, 4; ends, 4; from two-faced lines, couples, 6 steps |
| WHEEL & DEAL FAMILY - Use couple handholds. Inside dancers serve as the pivit point and should exert slight pressure to assist as in any wheel around movement. TOP | 4 STEPS |
| DOUBLE PASS THRU - Same as pass thru.Dancers leads slightly with right shoulder and therefore the lady could use her right hand to work her skirt by putting it in front of her as she passes. TOP | 4 steps |
| ZOOM - Lead dancer hold arms in natural dance position. Ladies skirt work optional. Trailing dancers use couple handhold. In zoom it is important that lead dancers initiate the roll out movement with a slight forward motion to allow sufficient room for trailing dancers to step through comfortably. TOP | 4 steps. |
| FLUTTERWHEEL -
Dancers turning in the center should remember the principle of the forearm turn (see Basic #6c and d). The dancer being picked up can enhance the movement by anticipating the approach of the opposite dancer and step beside that person, taking normal couple handhold. If girls are on the outside, skirt work with the free hand is desirable. TOP
| From a static square (SS), head or side ladies, 8 steps. All four ladies, 12 steps. |
| SWEEP 1/4 -
All dancers use couple handholds. Couples working together should smoothly disengage previous handhold and blend into the sweeping basic. TOP
| 2 couples, 2 steps; all 4 couples, 4 steps. |
| VEER FAMILY -
all dancers use couple handhold. Outside hands in normal dance position. TOP
| Box, 2 steps; SS, heads or sides, 4 steps. |
| TRADE BY - Same as pass thru and partner trade. TOP | 4 steps |
| TOUCH 1/4 - Use normal hand-up, palm-to-palm position, with hands about shoulder level TOP | 2 steps |
| CIRCULATE FAMILY -
All dancers use couple handhold when doing a couples circulate. Couples traveling the shorter distance should adjust with shorter steps to coincide with those traveling the longer distance. Those traveling the longer distance should avoid rushing. Arms should be held in natural dance position and ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. TOP
| From ocean waves (OW), centers, 4 steps; ends, 4 steps; all, 4 steps; couples 4 steps |
| FERRIS WHEEL -
All dancers use couple handholds. It is important that those couples doing the half circulate from a momentary two-faced line in the center (perhaps touching hands to ensure the two-faced line position) before starting their wheel and deal action. Couples do not start wheel and deal motion from original starting position. They must circulate half to the momentary two-faced line. TOP | 6 steps. |
| CLOVERLEAF -
Arms are held in natural dance position, skirt work optional. It is important to move slightly forward before turning away. When lead dancers meet and become partners, use couple handhold. Trailing dancers should follow footsteps of the lead dancers not cut the corners. When trailing dancers become partners, use couple handhold. TOP
. | 6-8 beats from a completed double pass thru. If Cloverleaf is called for only four people, the timing is 6 beats |
| TURN THRU - Use normal forearm position. Men’s free hand in natural dance position. Ladies’ skirt work desirable for free hand. TOP | 4 steps from point of contact. |
| EIGHT CHAIN THRU -
Use same styling as in courtesy turn and right and left grand. Emphasis should be placed on the courtesy turn in that portion of the basic so that dancers can maintain an eight chain thru formation and not be allowed to drift into a right and left grand type of movement. TOP
| Box. 8 hands, 20 steps; 4 hands, 20 steps. |
| PASS TO THE CENTER - Same as pass thru and partner trade. | Box, couples facing in, 2 steps; couples facing out, 6 steps. TOP |
| SPIN THE TOP -
Use same styling as in swing thru. Dancers who become new ends should have arms in natural dance position and hands ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. TOP
|
8 steps from point of contact.
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| CENTERS IN -
The active couple should use couple handhold and, if stepping in between couples facing the same direction join hands in a line of four. If the active couple steps in between couple facing in the opposite direction, use hand-up position with the end dancers. TOP
| 2 Steps. |
| CAST OFF THREE QUARTERS -
If joined dancers are in opposite facing directions, the handhold should be hands-up position as in swing thru. If joined dancers are in the same facing direction, handholds are as in couples handhold position. TOP
| 6 steps. |
| WALK AND DODGE -
Arms in natural dance positon. Skirt work for the ladies is optional. Hands should be ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. TOP | 4 steps |
| SLIDE THRU -
Arms in natural dance position with skirt work optional for ladies. Hands should be rejoined in the appropriate position for the next call. TOP | SS, heads, or sides, 6; Box, 4 steps. |
| FOLD FAMILY - Hands position depending on starting formation, i.e., hands up from a wave, couple handhold from a line or circulate. Using appropriate hand position, the inactive dancer should exert slight pressure to adjacent dancer and assist in initiating action. TOP | Fold, 2 steps; cross fold, 4 steps. |
DIXIE STYLE TO
AN OCEAB WAVE -
Lead dancers initially pulling by in the center should use handshake hold as in right and left grand. When forming mini waves with trailing dancers, dancers must adjust to the right, using hands-up position and same styling as in swing thru. TOP
| SS, heads or sides to a wave, 6; all 4 couples to the wave, 8. |
| SPIN CHAIN THRU -
Hands up as in swing thru. It is important that the waiting ends remain in static position with hands ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. TOP
| Box 16. |
| TAG FAMILY -
Arms in natural dance positon, hands ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. A flowing type of movement can be achieved by taking a slight step forward before turning toward the center of the line, thus avoiding the abrupt military type pivot. TOP
|
Facing lines with pass thru, tag the line full, 8 steps; three quarters, 7; one half, 6; one quarter, 5 steps. Two-faced line age the line full, 6 steps; three quarters, 5; one half, 4; one quarter, 3. Partner tag, 3 steps.
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| SCOOT BACK - Similar to that of turn thru and fold. TOP | 6 steps. |
| FAN THE TOP -
Center dancers use hands-up position and styling similar to that of sing thru. End dancers’ arms are in natural dance position and hands are ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. TOP
| 4 steps |
| HINGE FAMILY -
Couples use couple handhold and styling similar to wheel and deal. Single hinge use hands up position. TOP
|
Couples hinge, 3 steps; single hinge, 2 steps.
|
| RECYCLE -
All dancers, arms in natural dance position, hands ready to adjust for next call as quickly as possible. TOP
| 4 steps. |
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