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Square Dance Calling

How to Resolve a Square
2-Face Line Method

Rich Reel   2017 Apr 16

( similar to the method taught at many caller schools )

 Gv3 Bv3
 B4>
 G4>
 <G2
 <B2
 B^1 G^1
The Dancers At Home

For the examples in this article, memorize only the dancers in these two key couples this way...

 Gv Bv
 B4>
 G4>
 <G
 <B
 B^1 G^1
Key Couples At Home

The #1 couple is sometimes referred to as the "primary couple" - shown here in red.  The primary man's corner and her partner are sometimes referred to as the "secondary couple" - shown here in light green.  Notice that the two corners (Head man and Side lady) have little dots.  It may be helpful to note that these two dancers are adjacent (nearer to each other than the others) when the couples are "in sequence".

See Selecting Key Couples for an overview of various methods and memorization techniques.

 

Square Resolution Strategy

  • Get into standard arrangement Two Face Lines
  • Use Ends Circulate, Centers Circulate and Centers Trade to get one key couple paired
  • If the paired couple is not facing out, call Couples Circulate to get it
  • Look to see if the other couple is paired.  Two cases:
    • If other couple is paired, call Bend The Line; Slide Thru  (all paired)
      • Everyone Pass Thru to corner? - Call Pass Thru; Allemande Left
        -or-
      • Everyone Square Thru 3 to corner? - Call Square Thru 3; Allemande Left
    • If other couple is NOT paired, call Ferris Wheel  (one paired, one not paired)
      • Centers Pass Thru to corner? - Call Centers Pass Thru; Allemande Left
        -or-
      • Centers Square Thru 3 to corner? - Call Centers Square Thru 3; Allemande Left
  •  

     

    Detailed Explanation of Steps

      Get into standard arrangement Two Face Lines




      Use Ends Circulate, Centers Circulate and Centers Trade to get one key couple paired




      If the paired couple is not facing out, call Couples Circulate to get it


      Look to see if the other couple is paired



    Not Paired


    Not Paired


    Paired


    Paired



    Bend The Line
    Slide Thru


    Ferris Wheel


    Bend The Line
    Slide Thru


    Ferris Wheel

    Memory mnemonic that may help you remember:
  • one dancer (alone) = call one thing: Ferris Wheel  ("F")
  • two dancers (paired) = call two things: Bend The Line, Slide Thru  ("BS")
  •   The last step: Evaluate sequence and deliver the final calls

    Hint about choosing Pass Thru or Square Thru 3:  If you can see that one isn't right, you automatically know it must be the other one so you can save time and just call it.  (...provided you didn't make mistakes in earlier steps!)

     

    Summary

  • Standard 2-face lines
  • Use Circulates and Trades to pair one couple and be sure they are facing out
  • All paired? - Yes: Bend The Line; Slide Thru, otherwise: Ferris Wheel
  • Either Pass Thru -or- Square Thru 3 to the corner Allemande Left!

     

    Variations

  • Use L-H 2-face lines

  • Paired couple facing out not required

  • A method for resolving from facing lines is hidden in these steps!

  • If all the couples are paired in 2-face lines

  • If all the couples are paired in 2-face lines and you accidentally called Ferris Wheel (when you should have called Bend The Line, Slide Thru)

  • If only one of the key couples is paired and you accidentally called Bend The Line; Slide Thru (when you should have called Ferris Wheel)

  • If only one of the key couples is paired and you accidentally called Bend The Line, but caught yourself before calling Slide Thru

  • It's easier to use waves (rather than 2-face lines) to pair your partners.  You have some additional calls and All 8 Circulate is more powerful at moving dancers.

     

    For more information, see...

  • The Square Resolution Process for a broader, more general overview of resolving
  • The Easiest Way to Resolve a Square
  • FASR
  • Articles on calling, terminology, resolving and more

     

     

     


    See more of ALL8.com! - click here   Richard Reel   Hayward California USA