Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Parallelogram Formation [C2]

Parallelogram Formation [C2]
(Norm Poisson 1977)

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A Parallelogram is an offset 2 x 4 which is typically in the following shape:


From here...		or here...


Think of working here.

The Parallelograms diagrammed above have what is referred to as a 50% offset, since the two 1 x 4's are shifted relative to each other by half of their total length. This is the most common type of Parallelogram. Be aware, however, that the Parallelogram could be 25%, 75%, or 100% offset.

25% offset

75% offset

100% offset

When doing a call from a Parallelogram, do the call as if the two 1 x 4s were shifted into a normal setup.

Parallelogram Acey Deucey


before Parallelogram Acey Deucey		(imagine you are here)		after

Parallelogram Checkmate The Column


before Parallelogram Checkmate The Column		after

At C2, the caller generally restricts Parallelogram calls to easy calls which are not shape-changers. If the given call is a shape changer (that is, you are unable to end on the same set of footprints because the original 2 x 4 has rotated by 90°), then retain the Shear Line and the Shift Direction. See Appendix A for a discussion on Shape-Changing.

Parallelogram Recycle


before Parallelogram Recycle		after

Note that in the above diagrams there are a total of 12 spots in the before picture and 12 spots in the after picture.

When dancing a Parallelogram call, it is sometimes (but not always) necessary to adjust to a 'normal' setup (by removing the offset), do the given call, & then re-adjust so as to retain the original Shear Line and Shift Direction. Some callers and dancers believe you should always do this. We strongly disagree, since it is often awkward, clumsy, and time-consuming to dance. Whether or not to remove the offset before doing a given call is a call-dependent (and dancer-dependent) decision. For a call such as Parallelogram In Roll Circulate, you need not take out the offset. The footprints do not change, the traffic pattern is clear for all dancers, and In Roll Circulate is not a long, complicated call. However, for a call such as Parallelogram Magic Transfer The Column, there is no way to execute this call without taking out the offset. This is analogous to In Your Block Walk & Dodge versus In Your Block Square Chain The Top. In the first case, do the call working directly to the footprints of the distorted formation; in the second case, start with a distorted formation, blend into a normal setup, complete the call, and the re-establish the footprints of the distorted formation.