13.a. Around 1 or 2 to a Line
Starting formation: after a Separate
Command examples:
Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 1 To A Line
Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 2 To A Line
Heads Separate Around 1 To A Line
Heads Square Thru; Split 2, Separate Around 1 To A Line
Heads Square Thru; Split 2, Around 1 To A Line
Heads Right And Left Thru; Veer Left; Tag The Line; Split The Sides, First Left, Next Right Around
1 to a Line
Dance action: After a Separate, the active dancers walk around the outside of the set passing the
designated number of inactive dancers. The inactives act as stationary objects (referred to as
goal-posts) and do not change their facing direction. However, they should counterdance as necessary
by stepping forward to allow the actives to walk comfortably around the outside, and then step slightly
backward as the actives pass.
The active dancers pass each other as necessary, using right shoulders (as in Pass Thru). The actives
only count inactive dancers in determining how far to go.
When the active dancers walk around their last inactive dancer, they either squeeze in between the
inactive dancers (who move apart to make room) to become the centers of a general line, or stand
outside the inactive dancers to become the ends of a general line. Which action will happen depends
on where the count ends the active dancers with respect to the location of the inactive dancers.
These actions are sometimes also called "Squeeze In -- Make Lines" or "Hook On To The End -- Make
Lines", respectively.
Ending formation: Usually Facing Lines. Occasionally Inverted Lines or 3&1 Lines.
Timing: Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 1 To A Line: 8 Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 2 To A
Line: 10
Styling: Those not active move into the center to get out of the way of the actives. Men's arms in natural
dance position; ladies' skirt work optional.
Comments: While "Around 1" and "Around 2" are the most common, higher numbers are acceptable. In
all cases, the count is of inactive dancers passed by the active dancers.
Some callers feel that the word "Separate" is required and the proper call is "Split 2, Separate Around
1 To A Line".
The sequence "Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 2 And Stand Behind The Sides" is not proper
because each active dancer didn't go around the second inactive dancer at all.
Around 1 or 2 To A Line is not always preceded by Separate. For example, Heads Pass Thru, Both
Turn Right, Girl Around 1, Boy Around 2, To A Line.
