Flutterwheel – Definition

Teaching Resource for FLUTTERWHEEL

Links:   Standard Analyze Module Teach Other Extend

CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 2
Teaching Order: After Zoom and before Sweep a Quarter
Recently Taught Calls: Wheel and Deal, Double Pass Thru, First Couple Go Left …

Background: Flutter Wheel is #1109 in Burleson’s Encyclopedia and Reverse Flutter Wheel is #1358. Both calls were written in 1970 by Don Williamson of Greeneville, Tennessee and originally were described with a somewhat different body flow than we use today.

Definition:

Minimum number of dancers needed: Four

Starting formation for the minimum needed: Facing Couples

Command examples:
— Flutterwheel

Dance action:
The right-side dancers leave their current partner and Right Arm Turn with each other a full turn, each ending where they started. Halfway through this motion, they take a couple handhold with the other dancer (i.e., the one they were originally facing directly), and the second half of the Arm Turn is completed with each new couple working as a unit.

Ending formations: Facing Couples

Timing: 8 (SS All four ladies, 12 steps)

Styling: Each dancer who is on the outside blends smoothly into a new couple by turning slightly to become adjacent to the approaching dancer and reaching out to create a couple handhold. Some dancers begin moving forward before hand contact is made and then walk slightly ahead of their new partner so that the overall motion is smoother.

When the outside dancers are women, they may use skirt work with their free hand.

Comments: In the call Ladies Lead, Flutterwheel, the extra words do not change the dance action and are intended to be helpful. However, in some areas they may cause confusion because dancers will anticipate Ladies Lead Dixie Style to a Wave.

From a Squared Set, for “All 4 Women Lead, Flutterwheel” or “Everyone Reverse the Flutter” see the section “Additional Detail: Extensions like Reverse Wheel Around”.

Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: The Ocean Wave Rule does not apply.

Link to Taminations: Taminations Flutterwheel Family