Eight Chain Thru – Definition

Teaching Resource for EIGHT CHAIN THRU

Links:   Standard Analyze Module Teach Other Extend

CALLERLAB Program: Mainstream
Teaching order: After Turn Thru
Recently taught calls: Cloverleaf

Background: Eight Chain Thru was created in 1957 by Ed Epperson from Ottawa, Illinois. Eight Chain Thru was listed in the 1972 Sets In Order Extended Basics Program of American Square Dancing. This is the call for which the Eight Chain Thru formation is named.

Definition:

Starting formation: Eight Chain Thru

Command examples:
— Eight Chain Thru
— Eight Chain 3
— Eight Chain 4
— Eight Chain 1, Allemande Left

Dance action: Complete as many of these actions as appropriate:
• All Right Pull By (Eight Chain 1 has been completed)
• Centers Left Pull By while the ends Courtesy Turn (Eight Chain 2 has been completed)
• All Right Pull By (Eight Chain 3 has been completed)
• Centers Left Pull By while the ends Courtesy Turn (Eight Chain 4 has been completed)
• All Right Pull By (Eight Chain 5 has been completed)
• Centers Left Pull By while the ends Courtesy Turn (Eight Chain 6 has been completed)
• All Right Pull By (Eight Chain 7 has been completed)
• Centers Left Pull By while the ends Courtesy Turn (Eight Chain Thru has been completed)

Ending formations:
Eight Chain Thru ends in Eight Chain Thru
Eight Chain 1, 3, 5, etc. ends in Trade By
Eight Chain 2, 4, 6, etc. ends in Eight Chain Thru

Timing: Eight Chain Thru: 20;
Eight Chain 1, 2, 3, etc.: each odd-numbered part: 2; each even-numbered part: 3 (e.g., Eight Chain 3: 2+3+2 = 7)

Styling: Same as Right and Left Thru. Dancers doing the Left Pull By in the center move slowly so their action takes the same time as the Courtesy Turn on the outside.
Each part of this call ends in an Eight Chain Thru or Trade By formation. Dancers should not drift into a circular formation as in Wrong Way Grand (#8c).

Comment:
At Mainstream, Courtesy Turn (#15) is restricted to a man turning a woman. Therefore, at Mainstream, Eight Chain Thru is improper after Heads Square Thru 4, Sides Half Sashay. However, Eight Chain 3 would be proper.

Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: The Ocean Wave Rule applies to this call.

Link to Taminations: Taminations Eight Chain Thru