Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Tandem CONCEPT [C1]

Tandem CONCEPT [C1]
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A Tandem unit consists of one dancer immediately behind another. Both dancers must be facing the same direction. The two dancers work together as if they were a single dancer to do the given call. Tandem is similar to As Couples [A1], but instead of being side-by-side, the dancers are front-to-back.

Tandem dancers


before Tandem Touch 1/4		after Tandem Touch		after Tandem Arm Turn 1/4 (done)


before Tandem Spin The Top		after Tandem Arm Turn 1/2		after Tandem Fan The Top (done)

Dancing hints:

When the caller says Tandem, move vertically closer to the other dancer in your Tandem unit. If you find that you have to move a long way in order to get close, then your squares are probably too far apart and you should try to dance in tighter formations.

Typically, the trailing dancer places a hand on the back or shoulder of the lead dancer. This helps keep the unit connected together. The Japanese style is for the lead dancer to place their arms comfortably at their side and slightly behind them, extending their hands palms up and toward the trailing dancer behind while the trailing dancer places their hands in the leading dancer's palms. In either case, the idea is to physically connect the dancers so that they stay together as a unit. At a minimum, the Trailer should tap the Leader's shoulder to let the Leader know that the Tandem unit is ready.

When doing Arm Turns with another Tandem Unit, the Leader of each Tandem unit can join hands with the Trailer of the other unit. Tandem Arm Turns feel like Box Counter Rotates.

As with an As Couples unit, no dancers should ever come between the dancers within a Tandem unit.

Tandem of 3 (or 4): A one-faced Column of 3 (or 4) dancers work as a unit.

As Couples CONCEPT [A1]: Dancers side-by-side and facing the same direction (i.e., a Couple) work as a single dancer to do the given call.