Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Diamond Formation

A Diamond is a 4-dancer formation that can be setup from a Line of 4 after Centers Hinge. EN: 10

A Diamond consists of two Centers (those with handholds), and two Ends (also known as Points). EN: 20

Diamond Formation:


Diamond Footprints EN: 25		Typical facing directions EN: 27


R-H Diamond		L-H Diamond		Facing Diamond

Diamond Circulate [Plus] (Dewey Berry 1972):

From a Diamond. Walk forward to the next position in the Diamond while turning 90° toward the center of the Diamond. Centers become Points and vice-versa. Dancers facing along the Circulate path pass Right-Shoulders with each other. EN: 482

From a R-H Diamond:


before Diamond Circulate		after

From a L-H Diamond:


before Diamond Circulate		after

From Facing Diamonds:


before Diamond Circulate		part-way		after

From Facing Diamonds, always pass right-shoulders. EN: 40

Diamonds typically occur in pairs. EN: 50

Twin Diamonds are adjacent along the short axis. EN: 60
Point-to-Point Diamonds are adjacent along the long axis. EN: 70

Twin Diamonds

Point-to-Point Diamonds

Notes:

If you are a Center of the Diamond, hold hands with the other center in your Diamond. EN: 80
If you are a Point, use your inside hand to point downward toward the center of your Diamond. Do not touch hands with anyone in your Diamond. EN: 90
The handhold or lack thereof is important because most Diamond calls are defined in terms of Points and Centers. That is, Points do this, and Centers do that. If your hand location is incorrect, it may cause confusion as to who does which part. EN: 100

At Plus, there are three calls done exclusively from Diamonds: EN: 110

Diamond Circulate [Plus] (Dewey Berry 1972):
From a Diamond. Walk forward to the next position in the Diamond while turning 90° toward the center of the Diamond. Centers become Points and vice-versa. Dancers facing along the Circulate path pass Right-Shoulders with each other. EN: 482

Flip The Diamond [Plus] (Deuce Williams 1973):
From a Diamond. Centers do your part Diamond Circulate as Points Flip In (180°) towards the the nearest Center position. A normal Diamond ends in a Wave. EN: 373

Cut The Diamond [Plus] (Lee Kopman 1973):
From a Diamond. Centers do your part Diamond Circulate as Points slide together and Trade to end in the furthest Center position. A normal Diamond ends in a Two-Faced Line. EN: 422

The Diamond formation can have a different name, depending upon facing direction of the outside dancers: EN: 150

Single 1/4 Tag Formation

Single 3/4 Tag Formation

There is a subtle difference between the footprints of Twin Diamonds and a Generalized 1/4 Tag Formation. EN: 160

Twin Diamonds

Generalized 1/4 Tag Formation

The exact position of the Outside dancers is dependent upon their facing direction. For Twin Diamonds, the outsides are equidistant between the centers on their side; whereas for a Generalized 1/4 Tag, the outsides are immediately adjacent (holding hands). While dancing, the formation can shift between these two formations. EN: 170

A Diamond formation is contained within a 2 x 3 matrix. A Diamond is 2-spots in width, and 3-spots in length. EN: 180

2 x 3 Matrix:

RIGHT
(length = 3 spots) EN: 190

2 x 4 Matrix:

WRONG
(length = 4 spots) EN: 200

Square Breathing is a term used to indicate that dancer positions dynamically change as formations expand and contract. See example below: EN: 210


This is the starting formation for each of the following:


after Centers Hinge WRONG (without Square Breathing) Outsides did not adjust EN: 220		after Centers Hinge RIGHT (with Square Breathing) Outsides moved 1/2 position inward and 1/2 position forward or backward to form perfect Diamonds EN: 230

Drop direction [C2] (Lee Kopman 1975):

From a Diamond or Generalized Single 1/4 Tag with the Centers in a Mini-Wave. Centers do your part of Extend the Tag as the Others 1/4 toward the given direction (relative to the 4-dancer formation). Adjust to end in a 2 x 2. EN: 449