Teaching Resource for RIGHT AND LEFT THRU
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 1
Teaching order: After Circulate and before Grand Square
Recently taught calls: Lead Right, Veer, Chain Down the Line, Bend the Line
Background: Right and Left Thru is a traditional figure from early quadrilles, contras, and folk dances. Originally the movement was accomplished without the use of hands and would often involve two gents moving across through two ladies. In that case the action was a Pass Thru and a Wheel Around. As for Ladies Chain, in early dances the movement would automatically be repeated for a total of 16-counts and a return to the starting position.
Definition:
Minimum number of dancers needed: Four
Starting formation for the minimum number needed: Facing Couples
Command examples:
— Right and Left Thru
— Head Couples, Right and Left Thru
Dance action: Right Pull By; Courtesy Turn
Ending formation: Facing Couples
Timing: 6
Styling: Dancers extend right hands to each other, and perform a Pass Thru action, releasing handholds as they pass each other. A literal “pull” is neither required nor desired. For courtesy turn styling, refer to entry #15.
Comments: The Ocean Wave Rule applies to this call.
At Basic and Mainstream, Courtesy Turn is restricted to a man turning a woman.
At Basic and Mainstream, from Facing Lines in which the centers form a Normal Couple, the caller should not use “Right and Left Thru” in the expectation that only the centers will do the call (because they are the only ones who can due to the above restriction). The proper call would be “Centers Right and Left Thru”.
On the call “Right and Left Thru, Full Turn”, the Courtesy Turn will be for a full 360 degrees, and the ending formation will be Couples Back-To-Back. See “Additional Detail: Commands: Fractions”.
On the call “Right and Left Thru and 1/4 More”, the Courtesy Turn will be for 270 degrees, and the ending formation will be a Right-Hand Two-Faced Line. See “Additional Detail: Commands: Fractions”.
Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: The Ocean Wave Rule applies to Right and Left Thru.
Link to Taminations: Taminations Right and Left Thru