Box the Gnat – Teaching

Basic Part 2
Box the Gnat

Links:   Define Standard Analyze Module Other Extend

Choreography for Patter Teaching with Singing Call Options:

Teaching Tips:

Box the Gnat
A.) Old “Jitter Bug” or “Swing” dance move that changes places with facing partner.
B.) Girl turns left face 180 degrees, boy turns right face 180 degrees while passing right shoulders to exchange places under joined right hands.
C.) Don’t grip the hand; girl rotates fingertips in cup of boys palm like a ball in a socket.
D.) Action ends with right hands in a normal hand shake position to face.
E.) Starts nose to nose, ends toes to toes.

More teaching suggestions:
— Action begins with a very slight pull, release the tension and reconnect at the end.
— Emphasize that the two dancers end facing each other.
— It may be helpful to discuss the differences between Box the Gnat and Star Thru.

Quick quote: “Use right hand to switch places, end facing”

Teaching Standard Applications:

Heads Box the Gnat and Pass Thru,
Separate Around One to a Line,
Forward and Back, Right and Left Thru,
Patter: Pass Thru, Allemande Left, Face in at home
Singer: Star Thru, Pass Thru, Allemande Left, Come back, [ Swing ] and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Heads Pass Thru and Separate Around Two,
Lines Forward and Back,
Box the Gnat, Right and Left Thru,
Square Thru Three,
Patter: Allemande Left, Face in at home
Singer: Swing and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Heads Lead Right, Circle to a Line,
Just the Centers Box the Gnat and Right and Left Thru,
All Star Thru, Centers Pass Thru,
Square Thru Three,
Patter: Allemande Left, Grand Right and Left, Promenade
Singer: Swing and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Heads Lead Right, Veer Left,
Ladies Chain Down the Line and Half Sashay,
Forward and Back, Box the Gnat and Dosado,
Each Four Circle Left 3/4 and Pass Thru,
Patter: Allemande Left, Grand Right and Left, Promenade
Singer: Swing and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Heads Star Thru and California Twirl,
Star Thru, and Pass Thru,
Wheel Around and Half Sashay,
Forward and Back, Box the Gnat,
Square Thru Three,
Patter: Allemande Left, Face in at Home
Singer: Swing and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Break:
Allemande Left, Box the Gnat with the Partner,
Wrong Way Grand,
Box the Gnat, Men Star Left One Time,
Partner Dosado,
Swing and Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Break:
Circle Left (full around),
Allemande Left with the Corner,
Box the Gnat with your Partner,
Four Ladies Promenade Inside,
Partner Swing, Promenade
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *