Promenade (Single File) - Starting formation - 2 or more dancers in any line or circle. Dancers walk forward in single file (one behind the other) in the direction indicated.
Styling: Man's arms are held in natural dance position; lady's hands on skirt, working with the natural swinging motion.
Timing: Square Dances-Promenade full around = 16 steps; three quarters = 12; one half = 8; one quarter = 4; Four people Promenade inside as square = 8 steps. Prompted dances- usually Promenade for 8 steps.
Teaching Tips: Teach from a big circle. If Circle Right is called previous to teaching a Single File Promenade, people will all ready be traveling in the correct direction. Ladies in the lead 'Indian style' is also a term many people still recognize.
Right & Left Grand - Starting formation - square, circle, line or any position where dancers can conveniently turn 90° or less (if needed) to face opposite sex and men are facing counterclockwise and ladies are facing clockwise around the circle. Join right hands (if not already joined) and step by the facing dancer. Give a left hand to the next and step by, a right to the next and step by, a left to the next, until each dancer meets the person with whom they started. Wrong Way Grand: Like Right & Left Grand, but men move clockwise and ladies move counterclockwise. (See Weave the Ringas a variation of Right & Left Grand)
Styling: Alternating hands are used with alternating step-by movements. Hand holds should be supportive, but not tight. Arms should be held in natural dance position and the handhold should be released just as dancers pass each other. Both men and women should stand tall and resist the temptation to lean over and stretch out their hand to the next person. Use just a comfortable extension of the arm and hand. Brief eye contact should be made as they meet each dancer.
Timing: Until you meet your partner = 10 steps. This will be on the far side of the square.
Teaching Tips: Counting the partner, each dancer in the square must pass 4 people and touch 4 hands. The partner is then the 5th person. Have the dancers count hands out loud as they proceed. Change partners frequently.
Right & Left Thru - Starting formation - facing couples. Dancers
step forward, join right hands with the dancer directly ahead and step
by. Each couple then does Courtesy (180°) to face the other couple
in the foursome.
Styling: Each dancer takes regular handshake hold (right hands) with opposite person as they move by each other. They release hands as they step by. For Courtesy Turn styling, refer to that basic.
Timing: Squares or Prompted dances heads or sides across the set = 8 steps; box formation (couples standing closer together) = 6 steps.
Teaching Tips: This movement has another movement as part of the definition. Be sure the dancers are comfortable with Courtesy Turn before teaching Right & Left Thru. Use Pass Thru and Courtesy Turn routines to pre-teach correct styling. Once the dancers are comfortable dancing a Pass Thru and Courtesy Turn, all that needs to be added, for a Right & Left Thru, is a light touch with the right hands in the middle.
Roll Away Half Sashay - Starting formation - couple. The directed dancer (dancer on the right) rolls across a full turn (360°) in front of the dancer on the left, as they sidestep to the right. The two dancers exchange places. When dancers are momentarily face to face they should join both hands. The ladies roll left face across in front of the men unless otherwise directed.
Styling: Hands are held in normal couple handhold. The man and lady should each use a slight pulling motion toward each other as they initiate the roll. The man should pull the lady slightly as both man and lady reach to join hands and then continue the pulling motion with the left hand. Man steps back with left foot, to the side and across.
Timing: 4 steps
Teaching Tips: The men should provide good support to the ladies as they roll. Teach from a standing square before trying it from a Circle Left.
Star Promenade - Starting formation - varies. Directed dancers form
a Star (left/right) and place the other arm around the waist of another
directed dancer. Turn the Star Promenade the distance directed by the caller.
Styling: Men's inside hands joined the same as in a standard star. The outside arm is around the lady's waist. Lady's inside arm is around man's waist under his arm. The outside hand of the lady canbe used to work the skirt.
Timing: Squares, Four couples full around = 12 steps; three quarters= 9 steps; one half = 6 steps; one quarter = 3 steps. Four couples full around with a back out at home = 16 steps.
Teaching Tips: A Star Promenade is usually preceded by a Left Hand Star. The ladies should anticipate the arrival of the men and face the direction the Star will be traveling.
Separate - Starting formation - couple. Each dancer turns individually away from other person in the couple until they are back to back with each other. Then each person moves forward to the position designated by the caller. The distance traveled is determined by the next instruction.
Styling: Men's arms in a natural dance position. Any skirt work by the ladies is optional.
Timing: 2 steps to stand back to back.
Teaching Tips: The caller or prompter must always provide immediate directions on where the dancers are to proceed after they Separate.
Split the Couple/Ring - Starting formation - facing couples. The
active or directed couple move forward and pass between the outside couple.
The outside couple must spread apart adequately to let them through then
step back together again.
Styling: Men's arms held in natural dance position (see above); ladies may work their skirts. The inactive couple that is Split by the active couple simply moves out of the way with a couple of sidesteps so that the active couple can walk between them. Once the active couple has moved through and is out of the way, the inactive couple will move together once again.
Timing: Squares, individual couples Split Two around one to a line = 8 steps; around two to a line = 10 steps; to home = 12 steps. From a box formation, the inside people Split outsides to a line = 4 steps; to home position = 6 steps.
Teaching Tips: Dance as Split the Ring first. The outside couple must counter dance and anticipate the need to slide apart, let the inside pair through and then slide back together.
Star Left/Right - Starting formation - facing dancers or facing couples. The directed dancers step forward and extend designated hands to form a left or right hand palm star. Dancers should be facing clockwise for a Right Hand Star and counterclockwise for a Left Hand Star. The dancers walk forward, turning around the center point of the star where the inside hands touch. Turning distance of the star may be specified in fractions of one quarter, one half, three quarters, or a complete revolution.
Styling: In a forward moving Star, inside hands should be joined in a palm star position (hands of those making the star are held about average eye level - palms touching), arms bent at the elbow. Men's outside arm in natural dance position, the lady's outside hand can be used to work her skirt.
Timing: Four person Stars full around = 8 steps; three quarters = 6 steps; one half = 4 steps; one quarter = 2 steps. Eight person Stars full around = 16 steps; three quarters = 12 steps; one half = 8 steps; one quarter = 4 steps. P> Teaching Tips: Tell people to put their right hand in the Star and walk the easiest direction. Only a very few will attempt to walk the wrong way. Repeat using a left hand.
Star Thru - Starting formation - facing dancers (man and lady). Man's right hand is placed against the lady's left, palm to palm with fingers up, to make an arch. As the dancers move forward the lady moves under the arch and does a one quarter (90°) left face turn, while the man does a one quarter (90°) turn to the right moving behind the lady. They end side by side with the lady on the man's right.
Styling: Hands are touched in the arch, palm to palm, fingers pointed up. The hand grip should be readjusted to couple handhold after the movement is completed. Join hands in raised position approximately eye level. It is important that hands not be joined before that point. Man's hand should be used to stabilize as the lady provides her own momentum. It is equally important that the man's arm remain well above the lady's head.
Timing: 4 steps from point of contact.
Teaching Tips: Some people have physical problems raising their arms above shoulder height. If this is true the same motion can be done without the hand/arm action.
Swing - Starting formation - facing dancers (man and lady). Dancers move forward and to the left until they are right hip to right hip with the adjacent dancer. Move around each other turning in a clockwise direction for 4 to 8 beats of music. To break out of the Swing, the man relaxes the tension on the waist hand, while still providing some support, and the lady continues turning to her right until she is facing the same direction as the man. The lady should be on the man's right hand side and the couple facing the direction indicated by the caller.
Styling: Men - left arm bent at the elbow, palm slightly up. Right hand on lady's back slightly above the waist. Posture should be erect. Ladies - right hand palm down on man's left hand. Left hand on man's right shoulder, arm resting on man's right arm. Footwork: Walk Around Swing - use short walking or shuffling steps around a central point. Buzz Step - right foot moves in small steps around the pivot point between the two dancers while the left foot pushes, as in a scooter motion (similar to pushing a skate board). Ending position: Lady rolls off man's right arm blending smoothly to position for the next call or twirls (to a Promenade position only - lady's option). To twirl, the man raises his left hand over the lady's head, holding lady's right hand loosely. Her hand should revolve around his for stability as she turns clockwise moving down line of dance three steps, into a Promenade position, joining inside hands on the 4th step. While the lady turns, the man will move forward down the line of dance to be in position for the Promenade.
Timing: Square Dancing-usually 4 to 8 beats of music. Prompted dances- Swing for 8 beats of music or longer if directed.
Teaching Tips: Make sure couples are standing right side to right side. If the lady leans back lightly into the man's right arm around her waist and the man counter balances the weight, the Swing action is much easier and smoother. It also helps if people maintain eye contact as they Swing. This helps control dizziness and improves the appearance of coordinated action.
U-turn Back - Starting formation - single dancer. Each directed dancer does an in-place about-face turn (180°), turning toward their partner unless the body flow dictates otherwise. If alone (i.e. no partner), the dancer turns toward the center of the set. If the dancer is facing directly toward or away from the center of the set, they may turn in either direction.
Styling: Arms in natural position.
Timing: 2 steps.
Teaching Tips: Use a memory jogger to help people remember which way to turn such as, "It's not polite to turn your back on a lady."
Weave The Ring - A Right & Left Grand without touching hands. You can also Weave the Ring the wrong way around with men traveling clockwise and ladies traveling counterclockwise.
Styling: As you meet each person, turn slightly to face them and make eye contact. A nod and a smile are also nice touches. Ladies can work both sides of their skirt. Men can Weave the Ring with both hands behind their back or hanging naturally at their sides.
Timing: Same as Grand Right & Left.
Teaching Tips: Always teach Right & Left Grand first.Weave the Ring can be substituted for Right & Left Grand in many figures.
Wheel Around - Starting formation - couple. The couple, moving as a unit, turns halfway around (180°). The left hand dancer backs up while the right hand dancer moves forward. The pivot point is the handhold between the two dancers.
Styling: Same as in Couple Promenade.
Timing: 4 steps.
Teaching Tips: Wheel Around is used mainly in prompted dances or from a Promenade in square dancing. The man (left hand person of the pair) will frequently need to be reminded that they back up.