Square Dance Calling With Modules

Square Dance Calling With Modules By Michael E. Haworth One traditional method of calling patter without resorting to sight resolution is to use prewritten material. The definitive work on modular systems that I m familiar with is The Mighty Module, and Sight Calling Made Easy by Bill Peters. Bill describes the modular system in detail from the ground up. It has been a couple decades since I ve laid eyes upon it, though, and I ll try to explain the principles as I have come to use them over the years. Modules are short, functional, sequences of calls that change the state of the square from one known setup to another known setup, or short sequences that zero out and return to the starting setup. You can call an entire square dance with modules alone. You need to know where each one starts and where it ends. You should know something about the body flow it creates and hand availability so you can make a good choice about the continuation. If you have enough material at your disposal, you can effectively mix and match the modules to provide variety. You can read modules from index cards, or memorize them, which is probably better from a caller-dancer connection standpoint. Reading tends to interject a kind of detachment that you might not want. There are several types of modules you ll want to have in your arsenal, and they are briefly described in the following sections. Then, actual modules follow, which you can use as a starting point. You should dance through the provided modules with your caller s checkers/dolls to become familiar with them, and of course, you should write your own material. Caller s dolls, for the benefit of those who haven t seen or heard of them before, are simply physical tokens, like board-game pieces, that represent the dancers and can be moved around on a table. You need only be able to identify the sex and facing direction of each one. A set of backgammon stones topped with an adhesive label that is marked with an appropriate identifying symbol will serve well. Formation Arrangement Sequence and Relationship (FASR) Before we get too detailed into explanations and the modules themselves, it might be helpful to have a brief look at some typical formations and a system of identification for them. CALLERLAB introduced the idea of the Formation Arrangement Sequence and Relationship (FASR) identification system. As I understand it, this is a work in progress that does not seem to be fully fleshed out as a general identification scheme. CALLERLAB publishes a Formation and Arrangement Chart that you can download. It s based on the idea that there are only 6 boy-girl arrangements when symmetrical choreography is used. When talking to other callers, I usually use English to describe the arrangements: Facing lines with boys paired on the right, as an example. If discussing some cool sequence, it usually starts from a zero line, a zero box, or a squared set. Rotation doesn t matter. Here are a few common formations. http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved

Zero Line Zero Line - OS ZL Trade-by RL Grand Wave The first four are all zero line (ZL) derivations. The figure on the left is a zero line, which is a Partner Line In Sequence everybody has their original partner in a standard couple arrangement (boys on the left, girls on the right), and everybody is in sequence. The next figure is a Zero Line Out of Sequence, which is derived from the zero line via a or its equivalent. The next figure shows what I call a Zero Trade-By, or a Zero Line Trade-By, which is derived from the zero line via a Quarter Out or its equivalent. The last is a Right & Left Grand Ocean Wave, or a ½ Partner Wave In Sequence. It can be derived from the zero line by the sequence:, Girls Trade,. Zero Box Corner Lady Line Out-facing Corner Line Corner Line -- OS ZBox OW Left Handed ZB-OW The six figures above are derived from the zero box (ZB), which is an 8-Chain Thru formation where everyone is in a standard couple boys on the left and girls on the right everyone is in sequence, and everyone is looking at their Corner. Set up from the squared set is all too often Heads or Sides Square Thru. Left Allemande can be called from the zero box. The next is a Corner Lady Line, or simply Corner Line, which you get from a zero box by calling or its equivalent. The Out-Facing Corner Line is next and is derived from the Corner Line via the call Square Thru ¾ or its equivalent. The Corner Line Out of Sequence is derived from the Corner Line via or its equivalent. You get to the Zero Box Ocean Wave by calling Step to a Wave or an equivalent from the zero box. The Left Handed Zero Box Ocean Wave is also the Left Allemande Wave formed by calling Step to a Left Handed Ocean Wave or its equivalent from the zero box. The Zero Module The term zero, when applied to a square dance routine, means that the dancers go nowhere. When dancers start from a position and return to the same position, they have effectively gone nowhere. The routine zeroed-out ; they danced a zero. The point of square dancing is to dance a big zero, but to do so with style. From the squared set, the caller calls a sequence of calls that http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved

moves dancers, mixes them up, and then at some point, sometimes magically, everything is put in order, and the dancers are back at home right where they started: effectively zero movement. The zero module, then, is a shorter sequence that doesn t change anything about the square. A true zero returns dancers to their starting position the exact footprints. Other zeros are technical zeros. The Technical Zero The technical zero does not change the state of the square for resolution purposes. With regard to the type of setup, dancer arrangement and relationship to one another, nothing changes. If the routine begins in a zero box, it ends in a zero box, although rotation and pairing shift may be introduced. The call Relay The Deucey from parallel ocean waves is a technical zero that introduces a 80 degree rotation. From zero box ocean waves the call Spin Chain the Gears, is a technical zero that shifts pairings. What is a pairing shift? It is an inversion of the paired and unpaired couples. From a squared set, the call Heads Square Thru creates that 8-Chain Thru formation we introduced called a zero box. Notice that there is a paired couple on the outside and an unpaired couple on the inside. Notice also that everyone is in sequence: Both Boys and Girls are arranged,,, counting counter clockwise around the set. Another crucial fact for the zero box is that everyone is looking at the corner. You can call Allemande Left from this FASR. After calling the technical zero: Reverse, Veer Right, Couples Circulate, Bend the Line &, head couples are paired on the outside, and side couples are now unpaired on the inside. A pairing shift (or inversion) has occurred. Return to the squared set for a moment. The sequence Heads Square Thru and Do-sa-do to an Ocean Wave produces the wave in the figure below. Think of the staggered form of the wave on the right, and you can see the # couple paired. Everyone is holding on to their Corner s hand. Think After calling the technical zero Left, Thrice, heads are paired and sides are un-paired. Everyone is still in sequence and holding their Corner s hand. http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved

So, we still have a zero box ocean wave. Remember, with regard to square resolution, a technical zero does not change anything from its starting FASR; neither does a true zero. Effectively, there is zero movement. Of course, dancers have moved, and the caller should consider their body flow before choosing an appropriate continuation. Technical zeros that involve pairing shifts (inversion) typically only work from specific starting arrangements. Start with a zero box ocean wave, call Girls Trade, and then the routine above for an example. Be sure to call your technical zeros from appropriate starting positions. In addition to full zeros and technical zeros, there are also fractional zeros that must be called multiple times to zero out. Relay the Deucey is also a ½ zero. If you call it twice, dancers end in the footprints from which they began the sequence. The call, Spin Chain The Gears, is a ¼ true zero. The Conversion Module A conversion module is a short sequence of calls that changes the square s state from a known FASR to a different known FASR. Typically, conversion modules are used to transform zero lines into zero boxes or zero boxes into zero lines. Of course, conversions are not restricted to lines and 8-Chain Thru formations. Any conversion that creates a zero box could be considered a get-out module because left allemande can be called from the zero box. You could say the same of any conversion that creates a zero line since Allemande Left can be called from there as well. The Equivalent Module A module whose function is to replace another call or series of calls is an Equivalent. For example, suppose you are tired of calling Heads Square Thru to set up a zero box at the opening of a sequence. Use a Square Thru equivalent instead. The module, Star thru, California Twirl, produces the same ending formation and partner pairing relationships as Square Thru. What you have to be careful about when using equivalents and in fact when using any sort of module is hand availability and body flow. You want to be sure your choices make sense choreographically. The Get-out Module A get-out module is one whose function is to take the square from a known state to the Allemande Left, or Right and Left Grand, or resolve the square in some other fashion. Get-outs might be surprising or have some higher impact for the dancers than simply creating a zero box http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved

and calling Allemande Left. Some might be gimmicks, and some might be interesting or flowing. Others might be duds. Use your judgment to decide what works best for you and your dancers. Modular Substitution Modular Substitution refers to the practice of replacing a call, or a group of calls, within one module by substituting another module. Suppose you have the following module: ZB Star Thru,, Bend the Line, ZB. This zero box technical zero starts and ends in a zero box. Suppose also that you know a couple of equivalents for / and perhaps one for. By substituting equivalents, you can add variety to the basic module.,, Bend The Line, basic module [, Scoot Back, ],, Bend the Line, substitution for. [,, ], [, Sweep ¼, Square Thru ] Bend the Line, substituting equivalent for, and one for the. Cast off ¾ would also be a nice substitution for Bend the Line here. [Spin Chain Thru, Girls Circulate,, Bend the Line, Veer Left, Each Line Veer Right], Bend the Line, substituting an equivalent for the {, } combination. Allemande Left! It should be evident from this example that modular substitution can increase the power of a small number of modules. Sampling of Modules Here is a brief sampling of modules provided for review. Obviously, this does not even scratch the surface of what can be done. The material is restricted to calls from the Basic and Mainstream levels. You should spend a lot of time with your checkers and go through each one to see what it does and how it works. Play with modular substitution and try to understand which modules would be good continuations or inserts for other modules. Try to understand when poor body flow is created or when a hand violation crops up. Write your own material as well. The box zeros start from a 0B that is normal couple arrangement according to CALLERLAB when a component call requires a normal couple arrangement. At the Mainstream level, only men are supposed to courtesy turn real women aka normal couples only so Right & Left Thru requires a normal pairing. can be replaced with an equivalent to produce a module that is friendly for other arrangements. Take a look at each module provided with universality in mind. See what you need to do to make it more general. In some cases a simple To be more accurate, at Mainstream and below, Courtesy Turn should only be executed with someone dancing the Boy s part turning someone dancing the Girl s part. http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved 5

change in the delivery of the call might suffice. Where directions are included in brackets usually {Boys} or {Girls} the term can be used in lieu of the term provided when the starting formation has a normal couple arrangement. Say, Girls rather than Leads or Leaders etc. Facing Couples Foundation Zero Let s begin with the call, and introduce it as a ¼ Zero. Call it four times and the dancers wind up in their original starting position. is a ½ Zero. Call it twice, and the dancers wind up where they began. Mix and match the calls and you have the basis for the facing couple foundation zeros shown. Any combination will work as your needs dictate. Use of these patterns with modular substitution of equivalents yields variety and, hopefully, interest. To avoid use of the same hand twice in a row, use equivalents, insert a call like Do Sa Do, or another zero that does not begin with a touch of any kind. Box Foundation Zeros The so-called Chicken Plucker moves a couple back and forth from one side of the square to the other. It is the basis for the box foundation. You can interrupt at any leg and insert zero material or use equivalents for calls to create variety. Inserting some of the technical zeros that rotate the square one quadrant left or right would be a good way to break up the monotony of plucking chickens. [0B] Chicken Plucker Dive Thru Centers Dive Thru Centers [0B] Chicken Plucker Variant Veer Left; Couples Circulate Trade By [0B] Chicken Plucker Variant ; Trade By ; Trade By [0B] Chicken Plucker Variant Twice Twice [B] Traditional Zero ; Centers Run Ferris Wheel Centers http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved 6

Box (8-Chain Thru) Technical Zeros These modules may change the orientation of the square with a Quadrant Rotation: counterclockwise (CC), clockwise (CW), or a flip (R) from your perspective as the caller. If the pairings change, the module is marked (PS) for paring switch. These, typically, only work from particular arrangements, like the zero box, but may work from other arrangements as well. The 0B means the 0 arrangement (normal couple arrangement) is required at least at Mainstream. With a little substitution or creativity in the way you call it other arrangements might work as well. [0B] T-Zero (CW) Veer Left Couples Circulate ; ; Wheel & Deal Centers Square Thru [0B] T-Zero (CC) ; Trade By Veer Left; Chain Down The Line ; Wheel & Deal Centers Square Thru [0B] T-Zero (PS) (CW) Wheel & Deal [B] T-Zero (PS) Split the outsides, around to a line Touch /; { Boys } Leads Run [0B] T-Zero (PS) (R) ; Bend the Line [0B] T-Zero (PS) Veer Left Girls Trade Couples Circulate Bend the Line & Reverse ; Wheel & Deal Centers [0B] T-Zero (CC), Check your Wave Centers Trade Ends Circulate; Centers Circulate ; [0B] T-Zero (PS) (CW), Walk & Dodge Partner Trade Bend the Line [0B] T-Zero (R) Split the outsides, around to a line ; Bend the Line Ends Fold http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved 7

Equivalents Veer Left Half Sashay ; Scoot Back Wheel & Deal Square Thru Partner Trade Boys Walk, Girls Dodge Girls Walk, Boys Dodge Partner Trade Split Circulate Single Hinge Girls Trade & Sweep ¼ & Single Hinge Spilt Circulate Girls Run U-Turn Back ; Girls Run Box the Gnat & Right and Left Thru Square Thru Equivalents California Twirl Rollaway (or ½ Sashay) Trailers {Boys} Run ; Centers Trade & Split/Box Circulate Scoot Back Walk and Dodge Veer Left; Dixie Style to an Ocean Wave Boys Trade Single Hinge (left handed) Girls Run http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved 8

Equivalents ; ; Partner Trade Square Thru, but on the rd hand Pass The Ocean Single Hinge Scoot Back Leads {Boys} Run Dixie Style to an OW Centers {Boys} Cross Run; New Centers {Girls} Trade Centers {Girls} Run New Centers {Boys} Trade Centers {Boys} Run Boys Walk, Girls Dodge Box the Gnat & Ladies Chain Boys Walk, Girls Dodge Reverse Centers Run Wheel & Deal ½ Sashay Box the Gnat Sweep ¼ Double Girls Trade Dixie Style to an Ocean Wave Centers {Boys} Begin, Single Hinge (Left Handed) Girls Run Reverse Dixie Style to an Ocean Wave Centers {Boys} Begin, Boys Walk, Girls Dodge Single Hinge & Girls Trade Single Hinge Scoot Back Centers {Boys} Trade Centers {Boys} Run Centers {Girls} Trade Wheel & Deal Centers {Girls} Trade Veer Left Tag the Line Leads {Girls} U-Turn Back, and the Girls Trade Single Hinge Scoot Back Leads {Boys} Run Centers {Girls} Trade Centers {Boys} Cross Run Reverse Reverse http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved 9

Bend the Line Equivalents Cast off ¾ From Back to Back Lines Partner Trade Pass The Ocean Centers Trade Centers Run Leaders Trade Centers Trade Everybody Trade Single Hinge Ends Everybody Partner Trade Ends Fold & ; Scoot Back ; Scoot Back Leaders {Boys} Run Centers Run, Then as Ends Centers Run, Then as Ends Centers Run, and All Single Hinge Centers Same Centers Cross Run While Others Slide In and Partner Trade Ends, Then Run around the Centers From Two-Faced Lines Centers {Girls} Trade ½ Tag The Line Scoot Back Outfacers/Leaders {Boys} Run ½ Tag; Walk and Dodge Partner Trade Leads Trade With the Couple you re facing, Pass The Ocean Centers Trade & Centers Run Leads Trade Ferris Wheel Centers Touch & Extend Single Hinge Outfacers {Boys} Run Wheel & Deal Split Circulate Outfacers {Boys} Run Girls {Centers} Trade Girls Run Boys Begin, Girls {Centers} Trade ½ Sashay, and Boys Connect & Trade, Then ½ Tag The Line, Trade Leads {Boys} Run Reverse http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved 0

Conversions The most common conversions transform Zero Boxes into Zero Lines and vice versa. A handful of conversion modules are given in this section. Zero Line to Zero Box ; Girls Circulate Boys Trade; Bend the Line Dixie Style To an OW Boys Circulate Boys Cross Run Girls Trade Spin Chain Thru (Girls You re Done) Bend the Line Square Thru but on the rd hand, Very Centers Trade (Grand SW Thru) Single Hinge, Boys Go Twice Ferris Wheel Double Leaders Partner Trade ; Wheel & Deal Centers Centers ; Wheel & Deal Just the Centers, Girls Walk Boys Dodge Same Four Scoot Back in the middle Just the Center Girls Run around your man and Turn your Girl a Quarter More Girls Connect Girls Circulate ; Reverse Sweep ¼, Tag the Line Centers In Cast off ¾ Single File Circulate Trade By Boys Circulate; Girls Trade ; Trade By ; Single File Circulate Ends Circulate While Centers Trade ; Wheel & Deal Centers ; Wheel & Deal Centers Extend & Hinge Centers Trade ; ½ Tag Trade Centers Circulate Scoot Back http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved

Zero Box to Zero Line Traditional ; Girls Circulate Boys Trade; Bend the Line Girls Circulate & Sweep ¼ More Veer Left Girls Circulate ; Bend the Line Touch and Centers Touch & Everybody Face In Lines Fwd & Back ½ Square Thru Ends Fold & Step to a Wave Girls Circulate Boys Circulate Boys Circulate while the Girls Trade Sweep ¼ Split the Outside, around to a line Center Walk and Dodge End Boy Run around your girl Bend the Line Girls Walk, Boys Dodge Column Circulate Girls Run Wheel & Deal to a line of four Spin Chain Thru Boys U-Turn Back Girls Run; Boys Trade Bend The Line Split Circulate Check Waves and Centers Trade Ends Circulate Girls U-Turn Back (Step Thru) or (Extend) and Boys Girls U-Turn Back, Boys Trade with the Right Extend Veer Left Boys Circulate while Girls Trade Girls Run Left Boys Begin in the middle, Step to an Ocean Wave The Ends Cloverleaf while the Centers & Walk and Dodge with your Original Partner Lines Forward and Back Reverse Sweep ¼ Boys Walk, Girls Dodge Column Circulate Girls Run ; Trade By http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved

Magic Module The magic module serves as both a conversion sequence and a get-out module. As a Conversion: From Facing Lines Converts to Line with the next lady in the progression (Corner, Opposite, RH Lady, Partner) Single File Circulate {Box ZBox from ZLine} As a Get-Out: Single File Circulate <any number of spots> <for exactly seconds> <etc.> Left Allemande or Girls Run RL Grand! Get-Outs You should write your own Get-Outs. Here are a few for you to play with and get the feel for. Any Zero Box Zero, or Conversion to Zero Box from Zero Line or visa-versa may be considered a Get-Out. Check Hand Availability First. Zero Box Get-Outs Square Thru Step Thru the Wave Dixie Style To an OW Boys Trade Split The Outside, Round to a line Left Single File Circulate Left and a RL Grand! Split The Outside, Round to a line Ends ; All Cast Off ¾ Centers Partner Trade ½ RL Grand! Girls Walk, Boys Dodge Column Circulate Girls Run Trade By RL Grand! Do Sa Do To a Wave Girls Circulate Spin Chain Thru; Girls Circulate RL Grand! ; Trade By Split Circulate Boys Trade All Trade Single File Promenade! http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved

Zero Line Get-Outs Square Thru ; Wheel & Deal Centers Turn Thru ; Bend The Line Partner Trade ½ RL Grand Pass The Ocean Girls Trade RL Grand! Girls Cross Run; Boys Trade Extend (or Step Thru) Girls Walk, Boys Dodge Single Hinge (left handed) Boys Trade Girls Circulate Boys Circulate Once and a Half Turn the Girls ¼ More Girls Connect and Trade Boys Circulate Ferris Wheel Double Leads Partner Trade Dixie Style to an OW Boys Trade Step Thru (Extend) Boys Walk, Girls Dodge Single Hinge; Girls Connect & Trade Boys Circulate Girls Cross Run While Boys Slide In and Trade Girls Trade Left Single File Circulate Single File Circulate Left Right & Left Grand! ½ Sashay Tag the Line Centers In Cast Off ¾ Centers Everybody Trade Tag the Line Leads Partner Trade Box the Gnat Right & Left Grand! http://www.michaelhaworth.org 009 by Michael Haworth All Rights Reserved