Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Cast Back, Cross Cast Back [C1]

Cast Back, Cross Cast Back [C1]
(Vern Smith 1965)

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From a 2 x 2. EN: 10

Cast Back:: Leaders or those designated, as one movement, Peel Off & Step Ahead to end adjacent to the dancer (or the position) that was immediately behind them. Trailers and non-designated dancers do not move. EN: 20
Cross Cast Back:: Leaders or those designated, as one movement, Trail Off and Step Ahead to end adjacent to the position that is diagonally opposite in their Box. EN: 30


before (Leads) Cast Back		after


before (Leads) Cast Back		after


before (Leads) Cross Cast Back		after


before (Leads) Cross Cast Back		after

Notes:

Cast Back can also be done by an individual dancer if the caller also specifies a direction. EN: 40
Cast Back and Cross Cast Back are positional calls in which normal square breathing (expanding and contracting formations as the long and short axes vary) does not apply. The inactive dancers do not move or adjust in any manner. EN: 50
On Cross Cast Back, if active dancers start side-by-side (as a Couple), they pass Left shoulders. Historically, dancers have always passed Left-shoulders since this is a 'Cross' movement; however, CALLERLAB once 'simplified' the shoulder-passing rules, and many dancers were henceforth taught to pass Right shoulders. The current CALLERLAB definition of Trail Off (from Tandem Couples) states that dancers do a Half Sashay (Belle in front of Beau) & Peel Off, hence a Left shoulder pass. Please be careful when dancing Cross Cast Back as you may encounter some dancers who will insist on passing Left shoulders and other dancers who will insist on passing Right shoulders. EN: 60

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