In this definition, the term “center point” refers to the center of the 4-dancer formation on your side of the set, or the center of the whole set, if you are not part of a 4-dancer formation.
Command examples
- Zoom
- Boys Zoom
- Girls Zoom
- Ends Zoom
Styling
Lead dancers hold arms in natural dance position. For women, skirt work is optional. When the trailing dancers form a Couple, they maintain a couple handhold.
It is important that the lead dancers initiate the roll out movement with a slight forward motion to allow sufficient room for the trailing dancers to step forward comfortably.
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Comments
Unlike Run or Fold, Zoom does not require naming or activating the leaders (except from a Promenade – see below). While this may seem to be helpful, it often makes it unclear who should be active. Suggested helping words are “Zoom, Leaders go back”. See the sections “Additional Detail: Centers Zoom” and “Additional Detail: Extra words”.
It is acceptable to call Zoom to dancers on the outside of the square who form a Tandem (e.g., from Ocean Waves or Two-Faced Lines, Ends Zoom).
As a gimmick, some callers use Zoom while promenading, mainly as a way to convert an out-of-sequence promenade into an in-sequence promenade. In this case, the dancers in a couple must be named and they act as leaders and work with the couple following them in the promenade (e.g., Promenade, Keep Walking; Heads Zoom; Promenade Home). Some callers feel that this is not smooth and that there isn’t enough room to properly perform the move. Some callers feel that the proper command is “Heads are leaders, All Zoom”.
It is acceptable to call to call Zoom while Single File Promenading. For example, “Boys Are Leads, Boys Zoom” or simply “Boys Zoom”.
ARC Decisions
(January 2000)
Q: Is it proper to call “Zoom” from a Quarter Tag Formation?
A: No.
(July 2006)
Q: Is it proper to call Centers Zoom from Double Pass Thru formation?
A: No. The committee voted this to be improper. If the caller desires for everyone to Zoom, the call is simply “Zoom.” If the caller wants the centers to Pass Thru the call should be simply “Pass Thru.” If the caller uses Centers Zoom and expects the centers to Pass Thru, it is designed to trick the dancers and is destined for failure. The ARC strongly recommends that this call NOT be used at ANY program.
(May 2013)
Q: The formation was Left Hand Columns. The call given was Zoom 1 & 1/2 to end in parallel Right Hand Waves. Is this application proper or improper at the Basic 2 Program?
A: Proper. The half-way point can be readily defined and seen by the dancers. The definition can easily be broken down to see where one-half would be. One-half Zoom is easily identifiable. Fractions are common extensions of calls where applicable. This application has been called by many callers and danced by many dancers all over the world for many years.