Teaching Resource for PING PONG CIRCULATE
Updated: August 2026
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Plus
Teaching Order: After Cloverleaf
Recently taught calls: Acey Deucey
Background: Ping Pong Circulate was created in 1975 by Don Beck from Boxboro, Massachusetts. It was an experimental in 1978 and it was in the CALLERLAB Plus Program by 1983.
Definition:
Starting formation: Quarter Tag
Dance action: The movement starts on 1/4 Tag spots and ends on those same spots. Each dancer moves forward one position along one of two circulate paths. These paths both go around the center of the formation and do not cross each other.
The “outside path” includes the positions of the Ends of the Center Wave and of the Outside dancer on each side who is nearest to and behind those Wave Ends. The “inside path” includes the positions of the Very Centers and of the Outside dancer on each side who is directly behind a Very Center. These paths are illustrated at the top of Figure 1 for the case of a Right-Hand 1/4 Tag formation and at the top of Figure 2 for the case of a Left-Hand 1/4 Tag formation.
In the typical case of a Right-Hand 1/4 Tag starting formation, each Wave End moves forward along the outside path, going wide around one Outside spot and turning to the right 180 degrees to end facing in on the farther Outside spot, while each Outside dancer on the outside path moves diagonally forward and outward, without turning, to become a Wave End. Each Very Center moves forward along the inside path, going diagonally left and blending into a tight 180 degree left turn to end facing in on the farther Outside spot, while each Outside dancer on the inside path moves straight forward to become a Very Center.
From a Left-Hand 1/4 Tag formation, all movements are the same except that Wave Ends turn to the left and Very Centers go diagonally right and turn to the right.
Ending formations: Quarter Tag
Timing: 6
Styling: Styling is the same as previously described for the Circulate. Dancers in center use Ocean Wave styling. Outside dancers join hands in Couple handhold.
Comment: The inside and outside paths are independent of each other. Therefore, it is possible for only those on the outside path (dancers numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Figures 1 and 2) to Ping Pong Circulate or only those on the inside path (dancers numbered 5, 6, 7, and 8 in Figures 1 and 2) to Ping Pong Circulate.
Facing Couples or Ocean Wave Rule: (Neither rule applies.)
Link to Taminations: Taminations Ping Pong Circulate