Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts
 
Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts
 
 
From 8-dancer formations consisting of 4 inside dancers and 4 outside dancers.

The inside 4 dancers do the given call working within the Center of the set as the outside 4 dancers do the given call working with each other, around the outside of the set.

Notes:
(A) If the given call ends in a 1x4, a Diamond, or a Single 1/4 Tag, then there is only one possible ending formation: a 1x4 is split in half, and distributed as two 1x2 formations on opposite sides of the inside dancers; a Diamond or Single 1/4 Tag is split into 4 pieces, and distributed like the points of a Galaxy.

   

The above formations show the ending positions for the outside dancers when the given call ends in a 1x4 or a Diamond. The dashed boxes represent the Center 4 dancers who could be in a 2x2 (as shown), a 1x4 (horizontal or vertical), or any other 4-dancer formation.

 
before
Outsides Concentric Pass The Ocean
 after
 
before
Outsides Concentric Switch To A Diamond
 after


(B) For the outside 4 dancers, if the given call starts and ends in a 2x2 then the following rules apply:
  1. If the outside 4 started as if they were Ends of Parallel Lines, then they must finish so that they are Ends of Parallel Lines.
  2. Similarly, if the outside 4 started as if they were Ends of Columns, then they must finish so that they are Ends of Columns.

The two rules above are known as the 'Lines-to-Lines, Columns-to-Columns' rule. That is, if you start in Parallel Lines, you must end in Parallel Lines; if you start in Columns, you must end in Columns. Note that the final formation may not actually be Lines or Columns, since the Centers may end T-Boned to the Ends.

Examples of formations in which the Outside 4 dancers "think" they are Ends of Lines:

 
   
Examples of formations in which the Outside 4 dancers "think" they are Ends of Columns:

 
   

Outsides Concentric Walk & Dodge:

 
before
Outsides
Concentric Walk & Dodge
 after
 
before
Outsides
Concentric Walk & Dodge
 after

Outsides Concentric Partner Tag:

 
before
Outsides
Concentric Partner Tag
 after
 
before
Outsides
Concentric Partner Tag
 after


(C) For the outside 4 dancers, if the given call does not start in a 2x2 but ends in a 2x2 then the following rule applies:
  1. The Outside 4 must end in the positions so that the long axis of the setup changes by 90°.

    Many formations in square dancing have a long axis and a short axis. That is, the formation is visibly longer in one direction (long axis) than the other direction (short axis). When dancing the Concentric Concept, if the outside 4 do not start in a 2x2, but end in a 2x2, then they must end on the footprints which change the original long axis of the formation by 90°.

 
before
Outsides
Concentric Recycle
 after
 
before
Outsides
Concentric Hinge
 after

Concentric Bend The Line:

 
 
 
RIGHT
 
 
WRONG
 
   
before
Concentric Bend The Line
  after  This ending formation is incorrect
since the long-axis did not change
Concentric Turn & Deal:

 
 
 
RIGHT
 
 
WRONG
 
   
before
Concentric Turn & Deal
  after  This ending formation is incorrect
since the long-axis did not change
Concentric Linear Cycle:

 
 
 
RIGHT
 
 
WRONG
 
   
before
Concentric Linear Cycle
  after  Ending here feels 'right' but
is incorrect since the
long-axis did not change

Concentric Touch 1/4: (using the Lines-to-Lines, Columns-to-Columns rule)

 
before
Concentric Touch 1/4
 after
 
before
Concentric Touch 1/4
 after

Concentric Chase Right: (using the Lines-to-Lines, Columns-to-Columns rule)

 
before
Concentric Chase Right
 after
 
before
Concentric Chase Right
 after


More notes:
Single Concentric Concept [C4]: From a 1 x 4 or other applicable 4-dancer formations. Centers work with each other to do the given call as Ends work around the Centers to do the given call.

 
before
Single Concentric
Single Wheel
 after

See also Cross Concentric Concept [C2].

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