Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Zig-Zag, Zag-Zig [A2]

Zig-Zag, Zag-Zig [A2]
(Bill Shymkus and Jack Lasry 1968)

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From a Generalized Tandem (i.e., Tandem Dancers, Facing Dancers, or Back-to-Back Dancers) or other applicable formations.

Zig-Zag:: Leaders 1/4 Right (Zig) as Trailers 1/4 Left (Zag).; A Generalized Tandem ends in a R-H Mini-Wave.
Zag-Zig:: Leaders 1/4 Left (Zag) as Trailers 1/4 Right (Zig).; A Generalized Tandem ends in a L-H Mini-Wave.


before Zig-Zag		after


before Zag-Zig		after

Notes:

Zig means 1/4 Right; Zag means 1/4 Left.
From a Generalized Tandem, the caller can give any combination of these two words (i.e., Zig-Zag, Zig-Zig, Zag-Zig, or Zag-Zag). The first word is directed to the Leaders, and the second word is directed to the Trailers.
Zig-Zag always ends in a Right-hand setup, whereas Zag-Zig always ends in a Left-hand setup.
An easy way to think about Zig-Zag is to just turn 1/4 to join Right-hands with the other dancer in your Generalized Tandem. If you do the call in this manner, you don't need to think about whether you're a Leader or a Trailer and whether or not you need to do a 1/4 Right or a 1/4 Left. Alternatively, on Zag-Zig just turn 1/4 to join Left-hands with the other dancer in your Generalized Tandem.
To successfully dance calls such as Zig-Zag in real-time, you need to have formation awareness. This involves knowing where you are in the current formation, and your relationship to the other dancers. You should know whether you are a Leader or Trailer, Beau or Belle, End or Center, etc. from any applicable formation.

From a One-Faced Column of 3, the caller could give three words (e.g., Zig-Zag-Zag), in which case the first word goes to #1, the second to #2, and the third to #3.


before Zig-Zag-Zag		after

Similarly, from a One-Faced Column of 4, the caller could give four words.


before Zig-Zag-Zag-Zig		after

Zig-Zig:: 1/4 Right.
Zag-Zag:: 1/4 Left.

Sidetrack [C3B] (Tim Scholl 1976): From applicable formations. Zig-Zag; Counter Rotate 1/4; Roll. This is a 3-part call.

Single Turn To A Line [C3A]: From Tandem dancers, Facing dancers, or Back-to-Back dancers. As one movement, Zig-Zag, Step Thru, and turn 1/4 toward your initial turning direction. Ends in a Couple or a Mini-Wave.

CALLERLAB definition for Zig and Zag

Choreography for Zig-Zag, Zag-Zig

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