CALLERLAB - A1 Definitions
Courtesy of

 

(Anything) and Cross
Timing: call + 2
From any appropriate formation: Do the "Anything" call. Trailers diagonally Pull By with each other, using their outside hands. For example, Touch 1/4 and Cross:

The "Anything" call must end in a 2x2 formation with two leaders, and two trailers who are facing each other on a diagonal (e.g., box circulate).

(Named Dancers) Cross
Timing: 2

Any formation in which the designated dancers are facing on a diagonal: The named dancers then diagonally Pull By with each other, using their outside hands. Ending formation: various. For example, Wheel And Deal, Beaus Cross:

Any Hand Concept
This concept is used with calls that start with the right hand and are defined as a series of turns (e.g., Swing Thru, 1/4 Thru, Remake).

Starting formation: Inverted Line or Inverted Box; every pair of dancers must be in a right or left-hand mini-wave.

Dance action: Dancers start by having everyone in a mini-wave (pair) turn by either the right or left hand the appropriate amount. The call continues, with the following modifications as necessary:
  • Turn 1/4 - if in a couple, use Cast Off 1/4
  • Turn 1/2 - if in a couple, use Partner Trade
  • Turn 3/4 - if in a couple, use Cast Off 3/4

For example, after a Heads Square Thru 4, Centers In, the call Any Hand Swing Thru would have all dancers turn half (some by the right and some by the left) and the new centers Partner Trade to end in Facing Lines.

The Facing Couples Rule does not apply with this concept.

Example #1: Any Hand Swing Thru

Example #2: Any Hand 1/4 Thru

Example #3: Any Hand 3/4 Thru

Example #4: Any Hand Remake

As Couples Concept
Timing: -- From any formation composed only of couples, for example double pass thru, facing lines, or parallel two-faced lines: This is used to modify a call, e.g., As Couples Walk and Dodge from parallel two-faced lines. Each couple acts as though it were a single dancer, and does the part of the call appropriate to its position in the starting formation. For example, the diagrams below show As Couples Walk and Dodge. Each couple (left diagram) works as a unit, and the dancers act as though they were in a box circulate formation (center diagram). The couples facing in, take the part of single dancers facing in, and the couples facing out, take the part of single dancers facing out. The result is as shown:

For Teaching: No one should let go of his partner during an As Couples call.

Beaus and Belles Naming Convention
In a couple, the dancer on the left is the "Beau", and the dancer on the right is the "Belle". More generally, each dancer whose partner is to his right is a Beau, and each dancer whose partner is to his left is a Belle.

Cast a Shadow
Timing: 10

From general lines with the ends forming a tandem [At Advanced, this call is used only where at least one center in each line/wave is facing out.]: The ends do 1/2 Zoom, Arm Turn 3/4, and Spread, to become the ends of the resulting formation. The centers facing out Cloverleaf to step in between the casting dancers. The centers facing in Extend, Hinge, and Extend to fill the vacant spot. However, if all the centers are facing in, they Pass In and Pass Thru, to finish facing out as the centers of the resulting lines.

From promenade: The caller must designate two couples, e.g., Heads Cast a Shadow. Everyone acts as though the formation were two-faced lines, with the designated couples as the leads. Thus, the outsides do a 1/2 Zoom (with the designated outside acting as the lead), Arm Turn 3/4, and Spread, while the designated centers Cloverleaf, and the other centers Hinge and Extend. Ends in parallel waves.

By vote of the Advanced Committee, this call is not to be done from columns.

Chain Reaction
Timing: 12

From any quarter tag or quarter line formation in which each very center can Pass Thru with an outside dancer. [At Advanced, this call is restricted to starting from right- or left-hand quarter tag formations only.]: The very centers Pass Thru with the dancers they are facing, while the ends of the center line/wave Promenade 1/4 around the outside of the set. The original very centers and the dancers they are next to, Hinge. The centers Star (or Diamond Circulate) one spot, while the outsides Trade. Those who meet now Cast Off 3/4, while the others move up (as in Hourglass Circulate) to become the ends of parallel waves.
Example:

Or:

Chain Reaction (C1)
At C1, the restrictions from the Advanced Program on the formations from which you may call Chain Reaction are removed. In effect, this adds quarter lines and a two-faced line or a wave between parallel mini-waves to the list of starting formations. For example: two-faced line:

or two-faced line between mini-waves. For example:

Clover and (Anything)
Timing: Greater of 4 or the call

From any formation in which 2 couples are facing out and can do a Cloverleaf (e.g., trade by formation): Those facing out Cloverleaf, while the others do the Anything call (after moving to the center, if necessary).

Cross Clover And (Anything)
Timing: Greater of 10 or the call

From any formation in which 2 couples are facing out and can do a Cloverleaf (e.g., trade by formation): Those facing out Half Sashay blending into a Cloverleaf, while the others do the Anything call.

Cross Over Circulate
Timing: 6

From general lines only: Each dancer moves forward one spot along the circulate path shown below: A lead end Circulates to the far center spot in the same line; a lead center Circulates to the far end spot in the same line; a trailing end Circulates to the near center spot in the other line, and a trailing center Circulates to the near end spot in the other line. If two dancers are about to collide and they are facing the same direction, the belle goes in front of the beau; if they are facing each other, they pass right shoulders.

Examples:

For Teaching: You can describe this as: Leads Cross Run as trailers (do their part of) Couples Circulate and Half Sashay as they go. However, it is far more effective to re-introduce the idea of circulate paths (already used at Basic), and use it to describe the call.

Cross Trail Thru
Timing: 6, SS 6.

From facing couples: As one smooth motion, Pass Thru and Half Sashay. Ends in couples back-to-back. Note: When one hears "Cross Trail Thru To Your Corner; Allemande Left", the Cross Trail Thru is danced, as one smooth motion, Pass Thru and left-shoulder Partner Tag.

Cycle and Wheel
Timing: 4

From a 3-and-1 line: The dancers in the mini-wave do a Recycle while the couple does a Wheel And Deal. If the ends of the line are facing opposite directions, this will end in couples facing. If the ends are both facing the same direction, the right end must pass in front, to end in tandem couples.

Double Star Thru
Timing: 6

From normal facing couples: All Star Thru then Left Star Thru (the man uses his left hand, the lady uses her right hand, and the man goes around while the lady goes under). Ends in couples back-to-back.

Ends Bend
Timing: 4

From any formation with the ends in a line: The ends do their part of a Bend the Line. Note that dancers can Roll after this call.

For Teaching: This can be described as half of a Run.

Explode and (Anything)
Timing: 2 + call

From a wave: All Step Thru (giving couples back-to-back), Quarter In, and do the "anything" call.

From a general line with both centers facing the same direction: The centers step ahead as the ends slide together. All Quarter In to make facing couples and do the anything call.

Note: The call Explode is not meant to be used alone; only as the preface in this call. It is not used as short-hand for Explode the Line or Explode the Wave. After Explode And, every dancer is able to Roll.

Explode the Line
Timing: 6

From a general line with the centers facing the same way: The centers step forward as the ends slide together. Then all Quarter In and Right Pull By. Ends in couples back-to-back.

Fractional Tops
Timing: 4-6-8

From a Thar or Wrong-Way Thar: All Arm Turn 1/2, then the centers turn their star, as the outsides move forward around their circle, and for--

Quarter Top: end upon meeting the first dancer.

Half a Top: end upon meeting the second dancer.

Three Quarter Top: end upon meeting the third dancer.

Ends in a thar or wrong-way thar.

Grand Follow Your Neighbor
Timing:

From Columns: The #1 dancer in each column does the leads' part of follow your neighbor ("Fold and Roll"). The #2,3, and 4 dancers do the trailers' part of Follow Your Neighbor (Extend and Cast Off 3/4). Ends in a tidal wave. You can also do Grand Follow Your Neighbor and Spread.

Grand Quarter Thru
Timing: 6

From right-hand columns (of 6 or 8): Those who can Turn 1/4 by the Right, then those who can Turn 1/2 by the Left.

There must be dancers who can do both parts of the call. The call is not proper from Magic Columns.

Grand Three-Quarter Thru
Timing: 8

From right-hand columns (of 6 or 8): Those who can Turn 3/4 by the Right, then those who can Turn 1/2 by the Left.

There must be dancers who can do both parts of the call. The call is not proper from Magic Column.

Half Breed Thru
Timing: 6, SS 8

From facing couples, each composed of a man and a lady: All Right Pull By. Those dancers (if any) in a normal couple Courtesy Turn to end facing the other couple. Those in a half sashayed couple U-Turn Back, turning toward each other. Ends in normal facing couples.

Horseshoe Turn
Timing: 6

From anywhere the outsides can Cloverleaf and the centers can Partner Tag (e.g., completed double pass thru): Clover and the centers Partner Tag.

Left Roll to a Wave
Timing: 4 & 2

From dancers back-to-back, or a tandem: The leads left-face U-Turn Back, and all Left Touch.

Left Wheel Thru
Timing: 4, SS 6

From facing couples: Similar to Couples Lead Left, except that the dancers drop hands with each other, and the belles pass left shoulders with each other on the way. Ends in couples back-to back.

Lock It
Timing: 4

From a general line or diamond, with the centers in a mini-wave only: Centers Arm Turn 1/4, while the ends move up around a quarter circle, as in Fan the Top.

Mix
Timing: 6

From a general line: Centers Cross Run, then the new centers Trade. If both centers are facing the same way at the start of the call, they Half Sashay, blending into a Run around the original far end.

Pair Off
Timing: 2, SS 4

From facing dancers, neither of whom is facing the flagpole center of the set, only. Dancers face out to end as a couple. From a static square, the designated dancers will first step forward into the center.

Partner Hinge
Timing: 2

From a couple only, Hinge, finishing in a right-hand mini-wave at right angles to the original couple, with the new handhold centered on the original handhold.

Partner Tag
Timing: 3

From a couple or mini-wave, dancers turn to face each other and pass thru.

Pass In
Timing: 4

From facing dancers (e.g., facing lines, or eight chain thru): All Pass Thru and Face In.

Note that the dancers shown below cannot Face In after the Pass Thru, and so cannot Pass In.

Pass Out
Timing: 4

From facing dancers (e.g., facing lines, or eight chain thru): All Pass Thru and Face Out.

Note that the people in the bottom diagram shown under Pass In (those who could not do the Pass In) also cannot Pass Out.

Pass The Sea
Timing: 6

From facing couples: All Pass Thru, Quarter In, and Left Touch.

Quarter In
Timing: 2

From anywhere partner is defined, or the call Face In can be done: Turn 1/4 in place to face your partner.

Quarter Out
Timing: 2

From anywhere partner is defined or the call Face Out can be done: Turn 1/4 in place, turning away from your partner. If you have no partner (as in single file promenade), then Face Out from the center of your half of the set.

Quarter Thru
Timing: 6

From any appropriate 4-dancer formation (e.g., right-hand box circulate, left-hand facing diamond): Those who can Turn 1/4 by the Right, then those who can Turn 1/2 by the Left.

There must be dancers who can do both parts of the call. The call is not proper from an Inverted Box.

If there are two side-by-side formations each of which can do the call, dancers don't move from one to the other. From right-hand columns, for example, each of the two box circulate formations does the call independently.

Reverse Swap Around
Timing: 4

From facing couples, the beaus walk (as in Walk and Dodge) while the belles run to the left.

Right Roll to a Wave
Timing: 4 & 2

From dancers back-to-back, or a tandem: The leads right-face U-Turn Back, and all Touch.

Scoot and Dodge
Timing: 8

From box circulate only: The trailers Scoot Back, while the leaders Dodge (as in Walk and Dodge).

Six-Two Acey Deucey
Timing: 4

From anywhere with a very center two, and an outside 6: The very centers Trade, while the outside six Circulate in their formation.

For common formations, the circulate paths for the outside six are shown below:

Split Square Chain Thru
Timing: 12

From a static square, or T-bone. (From a static square, those designated step forward, to form two side-by-side T-bones.): Those facing Right Pull By, Quarter In (to face those who didn't pull by), all Left Swing Thru, and Left Turn Thru. Finishes in couples back-to-back.

Split Square Thru
Timing: 6-8-10, SS 8-10-12

From a static square, or T-bone. (From a static square, those designated step forward, to form two side-by-side T-bones.): Those facing Right Pull By, Quarter In (to face those who didn't pull by), and all Left Square Thru 3/4.

Can also be done fractionally, or for a given number of hands. In these cases, the fraction applies to those who start the call, e.g., for a Split Square Thru 3/4, the dancers who start facing do a total of 3 Pull Bys, and the other two dancers do 2 Pull Bys.

Square Chain Thru
Timing: 14

From facing couples: All Right Pull By, Quarter In, Left Swing Thru, and Left Turn Thru, to end in couples back to back.

Step and Slide
Timing: 4

From a general line: Centers step forward, while the ends slide sideways until they are adjacent.

Swap Around
Timing: 4

From facing couples: The belle in each couple walks straight forward without turning, to take the spot of the dancer s/he was facing. At the same time, the beau in each couple Runs (passing behind his starting partner) into the spot being vacated. Ends as couples back to back.

Three-Quarter Thru
Timing: 8

From any appropriate 4-dancer formation (e.g., right-hand box circulate, left-hand facing diamond): Those who can Turn 3/4 by the Right, then those who can Turn 1/2 by the Left.

See the notes under Quarter Thru.

Transfer the Column
Timing: 10

From columns: The #1 and #2 dancers in each column Circulate 3 spots (working slightly wider than usual, to give the centers room) to end as a couple, facing in. Meanwhile, the #3 and #4 dancers Circulate one spot, Arm Turn 3/4, and Extend to form parallel waves with the #1 and #2 dancers.

Triple Cross
From columns: The 6 dancers who can will pull by on the diagonal, using outside hands.

Triple Star Thru
Timing: 10

From any appropriate, such as #4 double pass thru (e.g., centers in normal couples and outsides sashayed): Those who can Double Star Thru, then those who can Star Thru.

Triple Trade
Timing: 4

From tidal waves, tidal two-faced lines, point-to-point diamonds, six-dancer ocean wave, or any 3 pairs of adjacent dancers: The two end dancers remain in place as the three adjacent pairs of dancers (the six in the center) Trade with each other.

Turn and Deal
Timing: 4

From a general line: As one smooth motion, all Half Tag, then turn individually another quarter in the same direction you turned to start the Half Tag. This call is considered to have a single part; it cannot be fractionalized.

Wheel Thru
Timing: 4, SS 6

From facing couples: Similar to Couples Lead Right, except that the dancers drop hands and the beaus pass right shoulders with each other on the way. Ends in couples back-to back.