Class 6 — Across and Back
Units covered: M21, M22, M23, M24. Units assumed: M1–M20 — especially Star Thru, Veer and
the circulate, because Square Thru finishes in the same box those calls work in.
The units in this class
| Unit | Call | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| M21 | Square Thru / Left Square Thru | passes two facing couples by alternating hands |
| M22 | Split Two | sends a couple between another couple |
| M23 | Grand Square | walks the whole square in and out on four sides |
| M24 | Double Pass Thru | passes two facing couples in single file |
Before you start
- They can Pass Thru and finish back to back, clear of each other.
- They can take and release a hand without steering anybody by it.
- They can stand still and hold a shape while another couple works around them.
Teaching sequence
- M21 — Square Thru. Teach one length only: Square Thru 4. Say the number out loud, then count the pull-bys as they walk. Pre-empt the dancers who turn to follow the released hand instead of turning a quarter in place.
- M22 — Split Two. Put two couples in the middle and say that the dancers not named do nothing except open a gap. Pre-empt the inactive pair who close the gap too early.
- M23 — Grand Square. Take it in eight-count sections, Heads and Sides separately before you put them together. Pre-empt the dancer who reverses direction early.
- M24 — Double Pass Thru. Walk two couples past each other in single file, then have the ends turn in. Pre-empt the dancer who stops in the middle of the column.
Drills
- Heads Lead Right Circle Left 1/4 Double Pass Thru First Couple Go Left, Next Couple Go Right Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Double Pass Thru and the split that follows it.
- Heads Square Thru 4 Swing Thru Boys Trade Girls Trade Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Square Thru into a wave, then the trades that put every dancer back in sequence.
- Heads Square Thru 4 Split Two Around 1 to a Line Forward and Back Pass Thru Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Square Thru and Split Two, then the line that finishes the work.
Checks
- Square Thru breaks after two hands — make them turn in place before the next pull-by.
- Split Two squeezes the active couple — the inactive pair closed the gap too soon.
- Grand Square falls apart in the second half — count the sections out loud.
- Double Pass Thru finishes side by side — send them through one behind the other.