Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Split

Split | Box Transfer [A2]
(Lee Kopman 1974)

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From a Mini-Wave Box or applicable T-Bone 2 x 2. EN: 10

Leaders Box Circulate twice and 1/4 In as Trailers Extend, Arm Turn 3/4, and Extend. EN: 20

A Mini-Wave Box ends in a Mini-Wave Box. EN: 30

From a R-H Mini-Wave Box:


before Box Transfer		after Leaders start to Split Circulate as Trailers Extend EN: 40		after original Leaders complete their part as original Trailers Cast Off 3/4 EN: 50		after original Trailers Extend EN: 60 (done)

From a L-H Mini-Wave Box:


before Box Transfer		after

From a T-Bone 2 x 2:


before Box Transfer		after

Notes:

Split | Box Transfer was originally named Split Transfer The Column. EN: 70
At C3 and above, the term Single Transfer is often used instead. In today's terminology, Single Transfer is a better name for the call because it is more precise. EN: 80
An odd characteristic of Split | Box Transfer is that there are two names for the same 4-dancer movement. The name (Split versus Box) is dependent upon the formation from which the call is done. This is a dumb idea. We don't have formation-dependent names for other 4-dancer calls! Wouldn't it be silly if we had two names for Right & Left Thru (one name for when the call is done from Facing Lines, and one name for when the call is done by the Centers)? In our opinion, it's better to have one name for the call (preferably Single Transfer) than to have two different names for the same call depending upon whether or not each Box of 4 does the call. EN: 90
Trailers end on the same spot from which they started, but turned 1/4 (as if they did a 1/4 Out). EN: 100
Only the original Leaders can Roll. EN: 110
From a Mini-Wave Box, everyone ends next to the same dancer that they started with, holding the same hand with which they started. EN: 120
The hardest part of Box | Split Transfer seems to be the Trailers Cast Off 3/4. EN: 130
- 3/4 turns are easier if you think of them as "half then a quarter more". EN: 140
- Leaders should make a wide arc for the Split Circulate Twice. This gives the Trailers more space, and allows them to smoothly execute the call. EN: 150
- Trailers should Extend, do a "tight" and quick Arm Turn 3/4, and then Extend. Often Split | Box Transfer breaks down because the Trailers don't turn far enough. EN: 160
Formation awareness (being able to quickly identify your position and relative orientation within the formation) helps in executing Box | Split Transfer. From Columns, you need to know to work in each Box and to not cross the center of the set into the other Box. EN: 170
Split | Box Transfer rotates your Box by 90° (as if you did a Split | Box Counter Rotate 1/4 & Trade). EN: 180

What's the difference between Split and Box? EN: 190

Split is appropriate when starting from an 8-dancer formation (such as Parallel Waves or Columns) in which the call is done in each Box. That is, the overall 2x4 formation is "split" into two 2x2 formations, and the call is done within each 2x2. EN: 200

Box is appropriate when the call is done from all other formations. For example: Centers Box Transfer; As Couples Box Transfer; All Eight Box Transfer. EN: 210

It is inappropriate for the caller to simply say "Box Transfer" from Parallel Waves or Columns and expect just the Centers to do the call. The caller should be explicit and say "Centers Box Transfer". Some callers correctly assume that "Split" means each side, but then incorrectly assume that "Box" means Centers. From Parallel Waves, if a caller said "Box Transfer", We'd expect the call to be done on each side, just like any other 4-dancer call. EN: 220

Transfer The Column [A1] (Lee Kopman 1974):

From Mini-Wave Columns. First Two dancers in the Column (#1 and #2) move forward in Single File around the outside of the other Column until parallel with the Center Box and then individually Face In (to end as a Couple) as the Last Two dancers (#3 and #4) Circulate (to form a Center Box) and Cast Off 3/4; all Extend. Ends in Parallel Waves. EN: 56

3 By 1 Transfer The Column [C2]:

From Columns. The First Three dancers Transfer (as a 3-dancer group Trail Off , then individually 1/4 In) as the #4 dancers Circulate 1 & 1/2 and Cast Off 3/4; Center 4 Extend The Tag as Others Step Ahead to end in Parallel 3 & 1 Lines. EN: 59

CALLERLAB definition for Box Transfer

CALLERLAB definition for Split Transfer

Choreography for Split | Box Transfer

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