The calls in the Half Sashay family have the two dancers in a couple exchange places while retaining their original facing direction.

11a. Half Sashay

Starting formation
Couple

Command examples

  • Heads Half Sashay
  • Right and Left Thru; Half Sashay
  • Sides Pass Thru, Half Sashay, and Separate Around One To A Line
  • All 4 Ladies Chain; Half Sashay; Circle Left
Dance action
Dancers exchange places without changing facing directions. Dancer on the right side steps to the left while the dancer on the left steps back, side steps to the right, then steps forward, ending as a couple.
Ending formation
Couple
Timing 4
Styling
Dancers use a normal couple handhold, pulling slightly toward each other as they initiate the sashay movement. As the dancers complete the call, they catch hands to end in a couple handhold (unless that is inconvenient for the next call).

Comments

While the command is properly given as “Half Sashay”, it is occasionally shortened to “Sashay”. This shortened form can be confusing and should not be used.

The terms “Full Sashay” or “Sashay All The Way Around” are not part of any dance program. This is improper language and should not be used.

The command “Half Sashay Once and a Half” is proper and has been seeing increased usage. It ends in a Tandem. See the section “Part 4: Additional Detail: Fractions”.

11b. Rollaway

Starting formations
Couple, Infacing Circle Of 8

Command examples

  • Rollaway
  • 4 Ladies Rollaway
  • Heads Rollaway
  • Circle Left; Rollaway; Circle Left
  • Veer Right; Ferris Wheel; Centers Rollaway
  • Roll The Girl Away
  • Boys Roll That Girl Away
  • Heads Lead Right; Veer Left; Bend The Line; Roll The Boys Away (uncommon)
  • Sides Promenade 1/2; Heads Chain Those Ladies Across, Turn That Gal; Roll Her Away

Dance action

From a couple, the dancer on the right (or the directed dancer) “rolls” across in front of the other dancer, turning a full 360 degrees to end on the other side, as the other dancer steps back and then forward, adjusting sideways as necessary, to move smoothly into the vacated position. At the completion of the call, the dancers have exchanged positions.

From an Infacing Circle Of 8 of alternating men and women, unless otherwise directed, the women roll left across and in front of the men.

Ending formations
Couple, Infacing Circle Of 8
Timing 4

Styling

For the purposes of this styling, assume a normal couple and that the woman is being rolled away.

Hands held in normal couple handhold maintaining good arm tension and connection throughout.

From a couple, the man steps back on slight right diagonal as the woman folds to face him. Continuing the momentum they change hands. He steps forward to his right and she finishes her dance action.

When the preceding dance action is a Courtesy Turn, the hand connection is slightly different. Dancers already have left hands joined in front. This connection is maintained throughout most of the Rollaway. Near the end, the lady lets go with her left hand and joins her right hand with the man’s left hand.

From a circle in motion, the man interrupts the circling action by stepping back and then forward, while the woman uses the momentum of the circle to accomplish the roll-across action.

Dancers who are doing the vine step footwork while circling should perform the Rollaway as they are starting to turn toward each other. Callers should deliver the call to accomplish this timing.

Comments

In the past, “Rollaway” has also been called “Rollaway With A Half Sashay”. This is improper language and should not be used.

The command “Rollaway Once and a Half” is proper and sees occasional use. It ends in Facing Dancers. See the section “Part 4: Additional Detail: Fractions”.

11c. Ladies In, Men Sashay

Starting formation
Infacing Circle Of 8 of alternating men and women

Command examples

  • Circle Left; Ladies In, Men Sashay; Circle Left
  • Circle Left; Ladies Center, Men Sashay
  • Circle Right; Ladies In, Men Sashay
  • Circle Right; Men Center, Ladies Sashay
  • Circle Left; Men Center, Ladies Sashay
Dance action
From a Circle Left, the ladies step forward and pause while the men continue to move to the left, behind, and past one lady. The ladies now step back and rejoin hands in a circle with the men. From a Circle Right, the men move to the right.
Ending formation
Infacing Circle Of 8
Timing 4
Styling
Men’s hands in slightly up position ready to rejoin the women in the circle. Commonly women have both hands on skirt when moving to the center and either momentarily bunch skirts or flip the skirt front up slightly before returning to the circle.
Comment
Used for occasional variety, any dancers can be asked to go “In” while the others “Sashay” (e.g., “Men In, Ladies Sashay”)
ARC Decisions

(May 2014)

Q: The formation was Right or Left Handed Ocean Waves. The call given was “Centers Half Sashay.”

A: This application, as presented, was voted to be improper, as the definition for Half Sashay states that the starting formation is a Couple and dancers in a Mini Wave are NOT a Couple.

However, the ARC voted that it would be acceptable to call “Centers Nose-to-Nose or Face-to-Face Sashay” from an Ocean Wave.