Wheel and Deal – Definition

Teaching Resource for WHEEL AND DEAL

Links:   Standard Analyze Module Teach Other Extend

CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 2
Teaching order: After Extend
Recently taught calls: Swing Thru, Run, Pass the Ocean

Background: Wheel and Deal was created in 1960 by Clarence Watson from Blue Springs, Missouri. It was in the 1972 Extended Basics Program of American Square Dancing (Sets In Order), and in the 1975 CALLERLAB Extended Basics Program.

Definition:

Minimum number of dancers needed: 4

Starting formation for the minimum number needed: Two-Faced Line, One-Faced Line

Command examples:
— Wheel and Deal

Dance action: Each couple works as a unit. Although the text below describes two actions, Wheel and Deal is danced as one smooth motion.

From a Two-Faced Line: Each couple steps forward and then wheels 180 degrees toward the center of the line, with the original center dancers acting as the pivots about which the couples turn. Couples end facing each other.

From a One-Faced Line: The couple on the left steps forward. Then each couple wheels 180 degrees toward the center of the original line, with the original center dancers acting as the pivots about which the couples turn. The couple that started on the right ends in front of the other couple.

Ending formations: From a Two-Faced Line, Facing Couples. From a One-Faced Line, Tandem Couples.

Timing: 4

Styling: Use couple handholds. Original center dancers should use the joined handhold to guide the original end dancers to circle around them.

Comments: To assist in understanding this call, here are some helpful facts:

— Dancers turn toward the center of the line (like Bend the Line, but unlike Wheel Around, which is always toward the left).
— Each couple ends facing the opposite direction from which they started.
— From a One-Face Line
— The couple on the right ends in front
— The couples pass right shoulders (or the right-hand dancers)

From a One-Faced Line, a more accurate dance action for the couple on the right would be to step forward after the turn. So, from a Tidal Line, Wheel and Deal ends in Two-Faced Lines. Because of square breathing (see “Additional Detail: Dance Action: Square Breathing”), this step forward for Wheel And Deal is even more pronounced from Lines Facing In, but unnecessary from Lines Facing Out.

Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: Neither rule applies

Link to Taminations: Taminations Wheel and Deal