According to the dictionary, "Crossfire" is defined as "Lines of gunfire crossing each other". It often feels this way when the 'Crossfire Controversy' raises its head. Because our published definition conflicts with the 'official' CALLERLAB definition, we felt a need to publish this paper in order to 'protect our credibility'. EN: 10

In the Plus and Advanced levels, callers sometimes call Crossfire from Out-Facing Lines. These callers often expect the ending formation to be a R-H 1/4 Tag. Many challenge callers, on the other hand, cringe at this usage, and try to avoid calling it. EN: 20

The current CALLERLAB definition of Crossfire (November 1997, as taken from the CALLERLAB website) states: EN: 30

The purpose of this paper is to show that the CALLERLAB definition given above is inconsistent with the definition of practically every other modern square dance call. The CALLERLAB definition is vague, and leads to several ambiguous situations. We believe that the CALLERLAB definition was expressly written with the intent of allowing Crossfire from Out-Facing Lines to end in a 1/4 Tag formation. We believe that this is not the way it should have been done. EN: 40

Our definition of Crossfire: EN: 50

In our opinion, Crossfire is a 4-dancer call. Dancers execute the call working with the 4 dancers in their formation. If the call starts from an 8-dancer formation, then each side of the square independently does the call, staying on their side of the square. At the end of the call, dancers do not step to a wave in the middle of the square, since interacting with the other 4 dancers would make Crossfire an 8-dancer call. EN: 90

From a One-Faced Line, we believe Crossfire behaves as follows: EN: 100

Note that the last part for the Centers, "Step Forward", is necessary so that the ending formation is centered, and not offset. The horizontal line shown in the above diagrams shows the original center of gravity. The "Step Forward" part of Crossfire is analogous to the definition of Peel Off, which contains a phrase such as "to end in a Line" (otherwise, Peel Off, when done from a "Z", would end in an Offset Line: that is, one couple offset from another couple). We believe that the CALLERLAB definition of Crossfire should contain a similar statement (e.g., "to end in a Box"). EN: 200

If the square contains two non-overlapping occurrences of the above 4-dancer formation (a One-Faced Line), then each group of 4 does the call independently of the other group of 4. It doesn't matter if the two starting formations are end-to-end, facing, back-to-back, or in some other configuration. So why does the CALLERLAB definition behave differently for the back-to-back case??? EN: 220

Many Plus-level callers have been calling Crossfire from Out-Facing Lines and ending in a 1/4 Tag for many years. I used to be one of them. In fact, as a Plus dancer myself, many years ago, I thought that the fact that Crossfire from Out-Facing Lines ends in a 1/4 Tag was "really cool". Nowadays, I think it's shoddy calling. EN: 230

Trying to effect change among the many callers who use Crossfire in this manner won't be easy. I am convinced, however, that this is the right thing to do, and that the future of Crossfire lies with it being a 4-dancer call. EN: 240

Suppose, for example, that Crossfire is an 8-dancer call. Let's take a look at this starting formation: EN: 250

If Crossfire has no restriction on it being a 4-dancer call done in your 4-dancer formation, then the following are also 'legal' (and potentially ambiguous): EN: 330

Callers and dancers at the challenge levels want calls to be consistent and unambiguous. The 'challenge' is not in trying to figure out which interpretation this particular caller wants! Hence, challenge square dancing needs well-defined calls. Making Crossfire be a 4-dancer call gives us this consistency. The dancers know who they are working with, and can determine the ending formation. There are no surprises after we do the call a la "oh gee, it seems that I'm facing someone, therefore I must Step To A Wave, even if the other person was working in the other group of 4!". Rules such as these are nonsense. EN: 400

Also, at Challenge, we do calls using Phantom dancers. In general, the facing direction of the Phantom dancer is defined to be "whatever is necessary in order to do the call". Now suppose a caller calls Phantom Crossfire from here: EN: 410

Our recommended "fix" for the CALLERLAB definition: EN: 470

Note on Roll: We believe that only the original Ends can Roll, and our definition, "Centers Trade and Step Forward as Ends Cross Fold" is worded such that it allows for the Ends to Roll, but not the Centers. EN: 500

This page reflects my personal opinions. If you have any comments, pro or con, I'd like to hear them. EN: 510