12. Turn Back Family

Both members of this family have the dancer turn around to end facing the opposite direction.

12a. U-Turn Back

Starting formation
Individual dancer

Command examples

  • U-Turn Back
  • Men U-Turn Back
  • Centers U-Turn Back
  • Promenade, Keep Walking; Everybody U-Turn Back; Promenade this way around
  • Wheel And Deal; Centers U-Turn Back; Double Pass Thru
Dance action
The dancer does an individual about-face turn (180 degrees) in place, turning toward partner unless the body flow dictates otherwise. If alone (i.e., no partner), the dancer turns toward the center of the set. If the solo dancer is facing directly toward or away from the center of the set, the turn may be in either direction.
Ending formation
Individual dancer
Timing 2
Styling
Isolated dancer: Arms in natural dance position. Adjacent dancers connected with a handhold: Release the handhold, perform the dance action, and reconnect with the appropriate handhold (couple or mini-wave). Couples promenading in Skater’s position can U-Turn Back without releasing handholds by turning towards each other.

12b. Backtrack

Starting formations
Promenade, Star Promenade, Single File Promenade, Wrong Way Promenade

Command examples

  • Promenade Single File; Ladies Backtrack
  • Ladies Step Out And Take A Backtrack
  • Gents Step Out And Take A Backtrack
  • Ladies Roll Out And Backtrack
  • Put the ladies in the lead, go single file; Ladies backtrack once around; Turn partner right a full turn
  • Star Promenade; Ladies Backtrack, Left Allemande
  • Promenade Wrong Way; Boys step out to the left and Backtrack twice around
Dance action
The designated dancers walk in a small 180 degree arc towards the outside of the set.

Ending formation

Various, depending on starting formation and who was designated.

Four dancers designated: Four dancers that did not do the backtrack continue starring or promenading single file in the center of the set and four dancers that did the backtrack will promenade single file in the opposite direction around the outside of the set.

Everyone designated: Single File Promenade

Timing 2
Styling
If necessary, release the handhold. Continue with arms in natural dance position.

Comments

Backtrack requires a forward motion before the Backtrack and a forward motion (in the other direction) after the Backtrack.

The couples version of Backtrack (e.g., Promenade, Head Couples Backtrack) is no longer in use.

© Copyright 1994, 2000-2018 by CALLERLAB Inc., The International Association of Square Dance Callers. Permission to reprint, republish, and create derivative works without royalty is hereby granted, provided this notice appears. Publication on the Internet of derivative works without royalty is hereby granted provided this notice appears. Permission to quote parts or all of this document without royalty is hereby granted, provided this notice is included. Information contained herein shall not be changed nor revised in any derivation or publication.

image_printPrint Page