(a) ALLEMANDE THAR: An allemande thar star is a formation and may be formed at the end of any left
arm turn by the center dancers (or those directed) forming a right hand box star and backing up. Each
outside dancer holds the left forearm of a center dancer and walks forward.
(b) ALLEMANDE LEFT TO AN ALLEMANDE THAR: Starting formation - anywhere an allemande left
is legal. All do an allemande left, blending into a right and left grand circle. All right pull by and left arm
turn 1/2 the next to an ALLEMANDE THAR (men will be the centers).
To avoid confusion with the call "ALLEMANDE THAR" or "MAKE A THAR", the caller almost always says
words like "ALLEMANDE LEFT TO AN ALLEMANDE THAR, GO FORWARD 2, MEN SWING IN WITH
A BACKUP STAR", or "ALLEMANDE LEFT, GO ALLEMANDE THAR, WITH A RIGHT AND LEFT
AND THE 4 MEN STAR".
After a SHOOT THE STAR, the caller can say "TO ANOTHER THAR". This is the same action as "TO AN
ALLEMANDE THAR" above. All right pull by and left arm turn 1/2 the next to an ALLEMANDE THAR.
The caller will almost always direct "GO FORWARD 2".
The caller can direct FORWARD (everyone progressing in normal Right And Left Grand direction) or
BACK or BACKWARD (everyone going the opposite direction from a normal Right And Left Grand) any
number of hands. For example, "SHOOT THE STAR FULL TURN, GO BACKWARD 3, RIGHT, LEFT,
RIGHT, MEN SWING IN MAKE A WRONG-WAY THAR".
Some callers use FORWARD to mean "the direction you are facing" and never use the words BACK or
BACKWARD. Either usage is acceptable.
(c) WRONG WAY THAR: A wrong way thar may be formed at the end of any right arm turn by the center
dancers (or those directed) forming a left hand box star and backing up. Outside dancers hold the right
forearm of a center dancer and walk forward.
STYLING: When the men are in the center backing up, their right hands will form a packsaddle/box star,
taking the wrist of the man in front of him. When the ladies star, they will simply touch hands in the
center. The dancers forming the star must remember to allow those on the outside to set the pace, since
they have to travel a much further distance. If the centers move too fast, the result is that those on the
outside will have to run to maintain the pace. As in any star, the ladies, while on the outside, may elect
to hold their skirts. TIMING: SS, from Allemande Left to point of backup star, 12 steps.