Teaching Resource for SQUARE THRU
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 1
Teaching order: After See Saw and before Circle to a Line
Recently taught calls: Star Thru, California Twirl, Walk Around the Corner
Background: Square Thru is number 33 in Burleson’s Encyclopedia. Square Thru was introduced in 1957 by Bill Hansen from West Covina, California.
Definition:
Minimum number of dancers needed: Four
Starting formation for the minimum number needed: Facing Couples
Command examples:
— Square Thru 4
— Square Thru 2
— Left Square Thru 3
Dance action: Square Thru (1,2,3,4) is defined here; for Left Square Thru (1,2,3,4) see the comments below.
In what follows, “Face partner” means to make a 90-degree turn in place to face one’s current partner. Complete as many of these actions as appropriate:
• Right Pull By (Square Thru 1 has been completed)
• Face partner and Left Pull By (Square Thru 2 has been completed)
• Face partner and Right Pull By (Square Thru 3 has been completed)
• Face partner and Left Pull By (Square Thru 4 has been completed)
Ending formation: Back-to-Back Couples
Timing:
Square Thru 1: 2
Square Thru 2: 5
Square Thru 3: 7 or 8
Square Thru 4: 10
Styling: With the Pull By the hands are released as each dancer passes each other so as to avoid guiding one another to turn the wrong way.
As in Right and Left Grand, dancers should make their opposite hand available for their next Pull By (or the next call). On each Pull By, as dancers pass they should be facing Head or Side walls (unlike Right And Left Grand, which blends into a circle).
Comments:
Left Square Thru (1,2,3,4) is similar to Square Thru (1,2,3,4) except that it is started with the left hand and hands are alternating thereafter; the word “Left” is required. E.g., Heads Lead Right, Circle To A Line, Left Square Thru 4, Left Allemande.
The Ocean Wave Rule applies to this call.
The movement can be continued beyond 4 hands (e.g., Square Thru 5).
There are some alternative ways in which Square Thru can be called:
• “Half Square Thru” can be used for Square Thru 2
• “Square Thru 3/4″ can be used for Square Thru 3
• “Square Thru” can be used for Square Thru 4
An extended application of Square Thru is “Square Thru, on the Third (or other) Hand…” where the Pull By action on the specified hand blends into the following call. For example:
• Square Thru, on the Third Hand Spin the Top
• Square Thru, on the Third Hand Eight Chain 5
• Square Thru, on the Third Hand Box The Gnat and Right and Left Grand
• Square Thru, on the Fourth Hand Left Swing Thru
• Square Thru, on the Fourth Hand Left Allemande
Unless the caller specifies, the call “Square Thru, on the Third (or other) Hand” does not have a clear ending formation. Some believe it ends in facing couples, others in a wave. For this reason, the call that follows must be proper and have the same effect from both these formations; that is, the Facing Couple Rule or Ocean Wave Rule must apply. Historically Touch 1/4 and Left Touch 1/4 are exceptions that are considered proper, with the Pull By blending into the Touch:
• Square Thru, on the Third Hand Touch 1/4
• Square Thru, on the Fourth Hand Left Touch 1/4
The extended application Square Thru 1 1/2 (or 2 1/2, etc.) includes half of the next Pull By and ends in an Ocean Wave. Dancers are not expected to know this variation, so it should only be used following an appropriate workshop.
Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: The Ocean Wave Rule applies to Square Thru.
Diagram:
Link to Taminations: Taminations Square Thru