Teaching Resource for TOUCH A QUARTER
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 2
Teaching Order: After Trade By
Recently Taught Calls: Zoom, Flutterwheel, Sweep a Quarter
Background: Touch and Turn (1/4, 1/2 or 3/4) was created in 1976 by Hank Richter from Spokane, Washington. Also in 1976 Will Orlich from Bradenton, Florida suggested that the same action be called Touch 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4. The Touch Family was listed in the 1983 edition of the Caller Teacher Manual. Touch 1/4 is in the April 1984 list of the CALLERLAB Basic Program.
Definition:
Minimum number of dancers needed: 2
Starting formation for the minimum number needed: Facing dancers only
Command examples:
— Touch a Quarter
— Touch One Quarter
Dance action: In one smooth motion, Step to a Wave and Turn 1/4 by the right.
Ending formations: Right-Hand Mini-Wave
Timing: 2
Styling: Hands Up. When called from Facing Couples, the four dancers do not make a Wave midway through Touch 1/4.
Comments:
From Facing Dancers, the call Step to a Wave gives a Right-Hand Mini-Wave.
The Ocean Wave Rule does not apply to this call. Therefore, a combination like “Swing Thru, All 8 Circulate, Touch 1/4” is improper.
The left-handed version of this call is Left Touch 1/4.
Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: The Ocean Wave Rule does not apply to this call.
Note: This is a technical detail that is sometimes ignored. Usually dancers understand what is desired. However, there are situations where confusion could arise. In a Quarter Tag some dancers have a mini-wave handhold with one dancer and are also facing another dancer.
Since the concept for the call began as the Touch Family, the stepping to a wave is considered to be an integral part of the call. The proper terms for use from an Ocean Wave are Turn a Quarter by the Right at Basic and Single Hinge at Mainstream.
Link to Taminations: Taminations Touch a Quarter