Class 11 — Quarters and Centres
Units covered: M41, M42, M43, M44, M45. Units assumed: M1–M40 — this class leans on the
wave, the line and the wheel from every class so far.
The units in this class
| Unit | Call | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| M41 | Zoom | walks the lead dancer round the box into the trailer's spot |
| M42 | Touch a Quarter | steps two facing dancers into a wave |
| M43 | Hinge Family | turns a pair a quarter in place |
| M44 | Centers In | steps the centre dancers in to make a wave |
| M45 | Cast Off Three Quarters | turns the outside dancers three quarters round |
Before you start
- They can tell a centre from an end without looking round the square.
- They can move into a wave without pushing their opposite out of position.
- They can turn exactly a quarter and stop on the spot.
Teaching sequence
- M41 — Zoom. Say "leaders roll, trailers walk" and have one box demonstrate. Pre-empt the pair who both move: the leader rolls a full circle, the trailer walks straight.
- M42 — Touch a Quarter. Teach the touch before the turn, because the turn is the easy half. Pre-empt the pair whose wave is too wide to hold.
- M43 — Hinge Family. The smallest call in the course, and dancers rush it. Hold the pair in place and count the quarter out loud. Pre-empt the dancer who turns further than asked.
- M44 — Centers In. Point at the centre pair, then at the ends, and have the ends stay still. Pre-empt the end dancers who step in as well.
- M45 — Cast Off Three Quarters. Count it in quarters as the outside pair walks. Pre-empt the dancer who turns a half or a full by mistake.
Drills
- Heads Touch a Quarter Single Hinge Centers In Cast Off Three Quarters Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains four small quarter turns in a row, which the class has to do without thinking.
- Heads Pass Thru Heads Square Thru 4 Zoom Centers In Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Zoom from a column, then the call that finishes it.
- Heads Pass the Ocean Swing Thru Boys Trade Centers In Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains the Class 9 wave calls with the centres call from this class.
Checks
- Zoom leaves the box stretched — the trailer walked too far or the leader cut the circle short.
- Touch a Quarter ends with no wave — touch first, then turn.
- Hinge overshoots — count the quarter aloud.
- Centers In drags the ends in too — say who moves and who stands still.
- Cast Off Three Quarters finishes at the wrong wall — count the quarters as they walk.