Caller Notes -- Half Sashay

Half Sashay -- [Basic]

Definition

From a Couple.

Exchange places by sliding sideways into the other dancer's position.

The Belle (right-side dancer) slides in front of the Beau (left-side dancer).

A normal couple ends in a half-sashayed couple and vice-versa.

The Belle slides forward to the left, then backward to the left;
the Beau slides backward to the right, then forward to the right.

Teaching Hints

Dancers can give a slight tug on each other to start moving toward the correct direction.

The Belle always goes in front. This can be emphasized by doing 1/2 of a Half Sashay.

Half Sashay is not a Rollaway. No turning is involved during the call.

Dos And Don'ts

Be sure to say the word "Half" (i.e., say "Half Sashay" instead of "Sashay"). It is technically incorrect to just say "Sashay", since Sashay is a (rarely used) separate call. A Sashay is a sideways Dosado, each dancer ending in their original starting position! A Sashay is a Half Sashay twice.

Equivalents

Rollaway
Right & Left Thru + Box The Gnat
Square Thru 3 + U-Turn Back

Flow Considerations

Half Sashay should be preceeded by a call where everyone is turning to the left, preferably as a couple. Good preceding calls include Right & Left Thru, Wheel Around, Reverse Flutter Wheel, and (from a L-H 2FL) Bend The Line. Proper prior flow is important because on a Half Sashay the Beau starts by backing up, and it only feels smooth if their prior flow direction is a turn to the left.

When calling, think of Half Sashay as being a suffix to the previous call. For example, think of "Right & Left Thru, Half Sashay" as one call, and call it that way. Another example... From Out-Facing Lines, "Wheel & Deal, Centers Half Sashay" -- if you don't deliver it as one call, the dancer success rate won't be as good since the dancers will have stopped flow, and can't easily blend the Half Sashay into the Wheel & Deal movement.

Good Uses

Half Sashay works well after calls that flow to the left. For example:

Right & Left Thru
Reverse Flutter Wheel
Wheel Around
Chain Down The Line
Bend The Line (from L-H 2FL)
Recycle (from L-H Wave)
Wheel & Deal (New Centers) (from Out-Facing Lines)
Wheel & Deal (from L-H 2FL)
Sweep 1/4 (after L-H flow. e.g., Reverse Flutter Wheel, Sweep 1/4)
Trade & Roll (from L-H columns)

Other places to use Half Sashay:

From a Squared Set, or from zero-flow (e.g., Heads Square Thru as Sides Half Sashay)
After Cloverleaf
From a Completed Double Pass Thru, do a Centers In, Cast Off 3/4, then Centers Half Sashay (normal couples CPDPT ends in normal couples Facing Lines)

Bad Uses

Half Sashay does not work well after calls that flow to the right (e.g., Flutter Wheel, Recycle (from R-H Wave)).

Avoid these uses!

Gimmicks

From Facing Lines: Right & Left Thru, Half Sashay, Centers Half Sashay, all Half Sashay, Centers Half Sashay.

Interesting use: Right & Left Thru & 1/4 More; Half Sashay.

Extensions

Reverse Half Sashay is the mirror image of Half Sashay.

On Reverse Half Sashay, dancers exchange places by having the Beau sidestep in front of the Belle, as the Belle sidestep behind the Beau.

Choreography

Static Set ➔ Resolve

Half Sashay

Basic Easy ID=5542

Heads Square Thru 4,
Sides Half Sashay,
Dosado,
Swing Thru,
Boys Run,
Pass Thru,
Wheel & Deal,
Zoom,
Centers Square Thru 3,
L.A

Basic Medium ID=2836

Heads Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Pass Thru,
Separate Around Two To A Line Of 4,
Forward & Back,
Men (Together) Half Sashay,
Girls (Together) Half Sashay,
Centers Only Half Sashay,
Everybody Half Sashay,
Allemande Left

Basic Medium ID=6145

Four Ladies Chain 3/4,
Heads Promenade Half-Way,
Sides Half Sashay,
Heads Pass Thru,
Everybody Join Hands,
Circle One Way Or The Other,
(Find Your Corner) Allemande Left

Mainstream Easy ID=4551

Heads Star Thru,
Pass Thru,
Circle To A Line,
Pass Thru,
Wheel & Deal,
Zoom,
Centers Right & Left Thru & Half Sashay,
Centers Turn Thru,
L.A

Mainstream Medium ID=2254

Heads Half Sashay,
All Circle Left,
Boys Go Forward & Back,
Boys Turn Thru,
Boys Cloverleaf (Girls move in),
Girls Turn Thru,
All Star Thru,
Promenade Home

Mainstream Medium ID=2794

Heads 1/2 Square Thru,
Slide Thru,
Right & Left Thru, Half Sashay,
Centers Right & Left Thru, Half Sashay,
All Right & Left Thru,
Star Thru,
Centers Slide Thru & Backaway,
You're Home

Mainstream Medium ID=2824

Heads 1/2 Square Thru,
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Pass Thru,
Trade By,
Swing Thru,
Recycle,
L.A

Mainstream Medium ID=4591

Everybody Half Sashay,
Heads Pass Thru & Cloverleaf,
Sides Dosado & Step To A Wave,
Extend,
Swing Thru,
Boys Run,
Boys Trade,
Ferris Wheel,
Centers Sweep 1/4 & Backaway,
Everybody Half Sashay,
R.L.G

Mainstream Medium ID=6540

Heads Half Sashay,
All Join Hands, Circle Left,
Girls Forward & Back,
Girls Square Thru 4,
All Pass Thru,
Girls Cloverleaf,
Boys Square Thru 4,
All Touch 1/4,
Scoot Back,
R.L.G

Mainstream Medium ID=6541

Heads Star Thru,
Girls Only Zoom,
Double Pass Thru,
Centers In, Cast Off 3/4,
Square Thru 3,
Bend The Line,
Forward & Back,
Right & Left Thru (same sex),
Half Sashay 1 & 1/2,
Centers Square Thru 3,
L.A

Mainstream Medium ID=6547

Heads Star Thru,
Double Pass Thru,
Centers In, Cast Off 3/4,
Centers Half Sashay,
All 1/2 Square Thru,
Trade By,
L.A

Mainstream Medium ID=6548

Heads Star Thru,
Double Pass Thru,
Centers In, Cast Off 3/4,
Centers Half Sashay,
All Right & Left Thru,
Centers Half Sashay,
All Star Thru,
Centers Square Thru 3,
L.A

Plus Easy ID=4361

Everybody Half Sashay,
Heads Square Thru 4,
Pass Thru,
Centers Square Thru 4,
Centers Step Forward,
Everybody Partner Trade & Roll,
Dixie Grand,
L.A

Plus Easy ID=6517

Heads Lead Right,
Swing Thru & Roll,
Boys Half Sashay,
Double Pass Thru,
Centers In, Cast Off 3/4,
Pass Thru,
Wheel & Deal,
Centers Half Sashay,
Centers Pass Thru,
All Square Thru 3,
L.A

Plus Easy ID=6518

Heads Right & Left Thru, Half Sashay,
Pass Thru,
Separate Around 1 To A Line,
Right & Left Thru,
Centers Half Sashay,
All Square Thru 3,
3/4 Tag,
R.L.G

Singing call (Corner progression)

Half Sashay

Basic Easy ID=506

Head Ladies Chain 3/4,
Side Boy Turn The Girl And Half Sashay,
Lines Of 3 Forward & Back,
Head Boys Pass Thru, Turn Right Around 3 Make Lines,
Circle Left,
Swing Corner & Promenade Home

Basic Easy ID=5432

Heads Square Thru,
Sides Half Sashay,
Swing Thru,
Boys Run,
Reverse Flutter Wheel,
Star Thru,
Dive Thru,
Centers Pass Thru,
Swing & Promenade

Basic Easy ID=5433

Heads Square Thru,
Sides Half Sashay,
Swing Thru,
Boys Run,
Pass Thru,
Wheel And Deal,
Double Pass Thru,
Leaders Trade,
Swing & Promenade

Mainstream Medium ID=2567

Heads Square Thru 4,
Touch 1/4,
Scoot Back,
Centers Trade,
Swing Thru,
Boys Run,
Reverse Flutter Wheel,
Sweep 1/4,
Half Sashay,
Swing & Promenade

Plus Hard ID=3362

Heads Square Thru 4,
Touch 1/4,
Girls Run,
Left Touch 1/4,
Coordinate (L-H),
Couples Circulate,
Bend The Line,
Half Sashay,
Swing Corner & Promenade Home

Stir the bucket

Half Sashay

Basic Easy ID=689

Four Ladies Chain 3/4,
Half Sashay,
Face Your Original Partner,
Pass Thru,
Star Thru (with the next),
California Twirl,
Four Ladies Chain 3/4
(Rotated)

Basic Medium ID=688

Four Ladies Chain 3/4,
Half Sashay,
Four Boys Chain 3/4,
Half Sashay
(Rotated)

Basic Medium ID=4293

Heads Half Sashay & Pass Thru,
Separate Around 1 To A Line,
Square Thru 3,
Wheel & Deal,
Centers Sweep 1/4 & Backaway,
4 Ladies Chain 3/4
(Rotated)

Static Set ➔ Zero Line

Half Sashay

Basic Medium ID=4620

Sides Half Sashay,
Heads Lead Right,
Swing Thru,
Boys Run
(Zero Line)

Basic Medium ID=4621

Heads Half Sashay,
Heads Lead Right,
Swing Thru,
Girls U-Turn Back
(Zero Line)

Zero Line ➔ Resolve

Half Sashay

Basic Medium ID=2921

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Centers Square Thru 4,
Ends Touch 1/4 & That Boy Run Right,
All Square Thru 3,
L.A

Basic Medium ID=3462

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru,
Flutter Wheel,
Reverse Flutter Wheel,
Half Sashay,
Centers Flutter Wheel, Sweep 1/4,
Others Touch 1/4 & That Boy Run,
Centers Pass Thru,
Box The Gnat,
R.L.G

Basic Medium ID=6504

(Zero Line)
Pass The Ocean,
Swing Thru,
Girls Run,
Girls Trade,
Couples Circulate,
Bend The Line,
Half Sashay,
Touch 1/4,
Girls Run,
R.L.G

Basic Medium ID=6512

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru,
Centers Half Sashay,
Ends Star Thru,
Centers Square Thru 4,
All Pass Thru,
Trade By,
Square Thru 3,
L.A

Basic Medium ID=6514

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Centers Half Sashay,
All Square Thru 3,
Bend The Line,
Centers Star Thru,
L.A

Mainstream Easy ID=6501

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru,
Square Thru 3,
Half Sashay,
Centers Half Sashay,
Ends Cross Fold,
R.L.G

Mainstream Medium ID=6491

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru & 1/4 More,
Half Sashay,
Boys Trade,
Ferris Wheel,
Centers Pass Thru,
R.L.G

Mainstream Medium ID=6502

(Zero Line)
Pass Thru,
Bend The Line,
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Square Thru 4,
Outsides Cloverleaf,
Centers Square Thru 4,
R.L.G

Mainstream Medium ID=6509

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay 1 & 1/2,
Boys Swing Thru,
Extend,
Swing Thru Double,
Walk & Dodge,
U-Turn Back,
Square Thru 4,
R.L.G

Mainstream Medium ID=6513

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru & 1/4 More,
Trailers Half Sashay,
Couples Circulate,
Ferris Wheel,
Centers Swing Thru,
Extend,
Spin The Top,
Right & Left Thru,
Dixie Style To An Allemande Left

Mainstream Medium ID=6526

(Zero Line)
Pass Thru,
Wheel & Deal,
Centers Half Sashay,
Double Pass Thru,
Centers In, Cast Off 3/4,
Centers Half Sashay, Ends Box The Gnat,
All Pass The Ocean,
Girls Trade,
Boys Run,
Promenade Home

Mainstream Medium ID=6533

(Zero Line)
Pass Thru,
Wheel & Deal,
Centers Half Sashay,
Double Pass Thru,
Cloverleaf,
Centers Swing Thru,
Extend,
Girls Trade,
Recycle,
L.A

Mainstream Medium ID=6534

(Zero Line)
Pass Thru,
Wheel & Deal,
Centers Half Sashay,
Double Pass Thru,
Centers In, Cast Off 3/4,
Square Thru 3,
Wheel & Deal,
Centers Pass Thru,
R.L.G

Plus Easy ID=5981

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Single Circle 3/4 To A Wave,
Circulate,
Boys Run,
L.A

Plus Easy ID=6532

(Zero Line)
Right & Left Thru, Half Sashay,
Centers Right & Left Thru, Half Sashay,
All Square Thru 3,
Bend The Line & Roll,
Centers Pass Thru,
R.L.G

Zero Line ➔ Zero Line

Half Sashay

Basic Medium ID=2712

(Zero Line)
Pass Thru,
Wheel & Deal,
Centers Half Sashay,
Zoom,
Centers Square Thru 3,
Dosado To A Wave,
Swing Thru,
Boys Run
(Zero Line)

Zero Box ➔ Resolve

Half Sashay

Basic Easy ID=6516

(Zero Box)
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Pass Thru,
R.L.G

Basic Medium ID=4336

(Zero Box)
Square Thru 3,
Centers Left Swing Thru,
Outsides U-Turn Back,
Extend (L-H),
Chain Down The Line,
Half Sashay,
Star Thru,
L.A

Mainstream Medium ID=2996

(Zero Box)
Right & Left Thru,
Half Sashay,
Touch 1/4,
Scoot Back,
Girls Run,
Square Thru 4,
R.L.G

Mainstream Medium ID=6550

(Zero Box)
Swing Thru,
Girls Run,
Girls Circulate,
Ferris Wheel,
Half Sashay,
Double Pass Thru,
Centers In, Cast Off 3/4,
Centers Star Thru,
L.A

Plus Medium ID=5484

(Zero Box)
Square Thru 4,
Chase Right But (Boys) Swing Thru,
Extend,
Boys Run,
Reverse Flutter Wheel, Sweep 1/4,
Half Sashay,
R.L.G

Choreo Links

Basic Choreography with Half Sashay

Mainstream Choreography with Half Sashay

Plus Choreography with Half Sashay

Comments

Half Sashay is a useful call. It can be done from
any Couple, and will normalize half-sashayed couples.

What about Half Sashay once and a half, to set up a tandem with (from a normal
couple) boys in front? A lot of callers were using this a few years ago; since you
don't mention it, I wonder if you consider it an illegitimate use.

Posted by Kris Jensen on 31 January 2007 ID: 157

This section is a wonderful resource for callers! Someone asked if Half Sashay Once and a Half is legit. Since Half of a Half Sashay was specifically mentioned, by implication Half Sashay Once and a Half is okay also.

Posted by Nasser Shukayr on 14 February 2007 ID: 158

Well, I guess a mathematician would call a "half sashay 1 + 1/2" probably like a "3/4 of a full sashay"....

Here is a little European gimmic call belonging to the same figure family: "guillutine"; the figure to be executed on this is: "heads roll away" (French Revolution)

Posted by Joachim Bradl on 16 February 2007 ID: 159

Half sashay will also work after Walk & Dodge from left hands waves (but not right hand waves!). Likewise for Scoot & Dodge from left hand waves.

Posted by Tony Collingwood on 19 March 2007 ID: 160

last modified: 27-April-2020 23:19:34

ID: 4