Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Spin Chain & Exchange The Gears [Plus]

Spin Chain & Exchange The Gears [Plus]
(author unknown 1983)

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From Parallel Waves or Eight Chain Thru (in which case dancers first step to Parallel Waves). EN: 10

Arm Turn 1/2;
Center 4 Cast Off 3/4 as Outsides U-Turn Back; EN: 20
Very Centers Trade as the Outsides slide inward to form two Stars; EN: 30
Turn each Star 3/4; EN: 40
New Very Centers walk forward around the other Star (like a figure "S") as the Others in their Star follow them in Single File; EN: 50
After the Leaders (#1 dancers in the Stars) have gone 3/4 around the other Star, the #1 and #3 dancers in the Star do a U-Turn Back (turning toward the Center of the Star) and form a Wave with the dancers behind them. EN: 60

Ends in Parallel Waves. EN: 70

Alternative definition (for C2 dancers): EN: 80: Arm Turn 1/2; Centers Cast Off 3/4 as Outsides U-Turn Back; Very Centers Trade; Diamond Circulate 3 spots; EN: 90

3/4 Exchange The Diamond; Interlocked Flip The Diamond.


before Spin Chain & Exchange The Gears


after Arm Turn 1/2	after Centers Cast Off 3/4 as Outsides U-Turn Back	after Very Centers Trade as Outsides slide inward to form Stars EN: 100


after Star 3/4	after going 3/4 around the Other Star EN: 110	after #1 and #3 U-Turn Back and form a Wave with the dancers behind them EN: 120 (done)

Notes:

After the Outsides U-Turn Back and form a Star, the Out-Facing dancer should raise their outside hand to let others in the Star know who is leading. EN: 130
Don't forget to do a Very Centers Trade EN: 140
Wait until there are four dancers in the Star before you turn it. If you turn the Star without someone, it is practically impossible for them to catch up. It's better to wait an extra beat or two to get them into the Star than to turn the Star without them. EN: 150
Count the positions in the Star as you turn it (i.e., do 3 Star Circulates). Counting is important in case the caller modifies the amount of the Star turn (e.g., Spin Chain & Exchange The Gears, Turn the Stars 1/2). EN: 160
After turning the Star, the new Very Centers lead the Exchange. Styling: Very Centers can lightly tap hands with each other as they pass by each other. EN: 170
When wrapping around the other Star, keep the formation tight so that 1) you don't have to take a lot of steps; and 2) the resulting Waves do not end up too far apart. EN: 180
"Spin" generally means 'Arm Turn 1/2 followed by Centers Cast Off 3/4'. For example, Spin The Top, Spin Chain Thru, Spin Chain The Gears. EN: 190

Spin Chain Thru [Mainstream] (Rod Blaylock 1967):

From Parallel Waves, Eight Chain Thru, or other applicable formations. Arm Turn 1/2; Centers Cast Off 3/4; the Very Centers Trade; Centers Cast Off 3/4. Ends in Parallel Waves. This is a 4-part call. EN: 204

Spin Chain The Gears [Plus] (Whit Whitcomb and Jay King 1971):

From Parallel Waves or Eight Chain Thru (in which case dancers first step to Parallel Waves). Arm Turn 1/2; Centers Cast Off 3/4 as Outsides U-Turn Back; Very Centers Trade; all Star 3/4; Very Centers Trade; Center Wave Cast Off 3/4 as Others U-Turn Back by turning away from the center of the set. Ends in Parallel Waves. EN: 622