Class 10 — Wheels and Sweeps
Units covered: M37, M38, M39, M40. Units assumed: M1–M36 — Square Thru and Bend the Line in
particular, because the wheel and the sweep both come out of a line.
The units in this class
| Unit | Call | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| M37 | Flutterwheel / Reverse Flutterwheel | wheels the two halves of a circle past each other |
| M38 | Sweep a Quarter | turns a two-couple group a quarter, away from the centre |
| M39 | Trade By | passes two facing couples while the others trade |
| M40 | Ferris Wheel | turns two facing couples right over, as a wheel |
Before you start
- They can Wheel and Deal as a couple, and know who pivots.
- They can Bend the Line and finish in a proper two-faced line.
- They hold hands at the right height and let go cleanly on a pass.
Teaching sequence
- M37 — Flutterwheel. Show it with two couples only: the two dancers on the same side take hands and go round together, then each turns to the other's partner. Pre-empt the pair who let go halfway round; the wheel turns on that handhold.
- M38 — Sweep a Quarter. Contrast it with Flutterwheel: nothing is exchanged, the group just turns a quarter. Pre-empt the dancers who turn towards the middle; the sweep moves away.
- M39 — Trade By. Teach it as a half Square Thru with a trade on the outside. Pre-empt the dancer who walks round the outside instead of straight into their opposite's spot.
- M40 — Ferris Wheel. Take the hands, look at your partner, and turn the pair right over. Pre-empt the four dancers turning as individuals, which makes four quarter turns instead of one roll.
Drills
- Heads Pass Thru Heads Flutterwheel Heads Sweep a Quarter Heads Pass Thru Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Flutterwheel and Sweep a Quarter side by side, so the class hears the difference.
- Heads Pass Thru Heads Trade By Heads Square Thru 4 Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Trade By inside a figure the class already knows.
- Heads Square Thru 4 Ferris Wheel Centers In Cast Off Three Quarters Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains the Ferris Wheel as a full roll, then brings the square back into shape for the close.
Checks
- Flutterwheel ends with the couples apart — the pair let go; the wheel needs both hands joined.
- Sweep a Quarter turns the wrong way — sweep away from the centre.
- Trade By leaves two dancers facing out — only half the square passes.
- Ferris Wheel is four quarter turns — take the handhold first and look at your partner.