Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts
 
Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts
 
 
A Diamond is a 4-dancer formation that can be setup from a Line of 4 after Centers Hinge.

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

Diamond Formation:

 
 
Diamond Footprints   Typical facing directions
   
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.

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.

Diamonds typically occur in pairs.

Twin Diamonds
Point-to-Point Diamonds

Notes:

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

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

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.

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.

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

2 x 3 Matrix:

 
RIGHT
(length = 3 spots)
2 x 4 Matrix:

 
WRONG
(length = 4 spots)

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

This is the starting formation
for each of the following:
 
 
after
Centers Hinge

WRONG
(without Square Breathing)
Outsides did not adjust

 after
Centers Hinge

RIGHT
(with Square Breathing)
Outsides moved 1/2 position inward
and 1/2 position forward or backward
to form perfect Diamonds

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.

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