16. Spin Chain & Exchange the Gears

Starting formation

Ocean Waves

Dance Action

Each end and adjacent center turn 1/2. The new centers of each ocean wave turn 3/4 and, as the centers finish, the ends Flip In (180 degree inward turn similar to Ends Run). Very Centers Trade. Each half of the square forms a four-hand star (a “gear”) and turns it 3/4.

Each Very Center dancer (one is #1 in the diagram) leads those following them in their star (#2, #3 and #4) along a circular path around the outside of the other star (the “exchange”).When #1 has gone 3/4 around and #3 has gone 1/4 around, dancers #1 and #3 Flip In to join hands and become centers of a wave while dancers #2 and #4 continue to move forward along the circular path to join their inside hand with the dancer ahead to become ends of the wave. The call ends in waves with the same handedness and in the same location as the original waves.

Styling

Ocean wave and star turns use standard styling.

As the Centers Turn 3/4 at the beginning of the call, the other dancers pause slightly and then, as they Flip In, they bring the other hand up to immediately join the forming star.

While turning the Star and exchanging, each group of four dancers are following a smooth S-like path. The exchange and formation of the waves is one continuous action. As each star forms (before turning the star), the dancer who will be leading the exchange usually raises the outside hand to indicate “follow me”. That hand is held up for the star turn and through the exchange, and can be smoothly joined with the inside hand of the following dancer when forming the ending wave.

Timing

Comments

The Facing Couples Rule applies to this call.

The 3/4 fraction to turn the star can be modified by the caller, in which case a different dancer will be #1 and lead the exchange.

ARC Decisions

(June 2008)

Q: Is it proper to call Spin Chain and Exchange The Gears from a Tidal Wave?

A: NO. The committee voted this is improper. This application does not comply with the CALLERLAB written definitions.

(May 2014)

Q: The formation was Two-Faced-Line. The calls given were “Begin with a Partner Trade and Spin Chain and Exchange the Gears.”

A: This application was voted to be improper as it does not comply with the Plus definition wherein it states that the starting formation is Parallel Ocean Waves and NOT Two-Faced-Lines. The first part of the call starts with the ends and adjacent centers Turn 1/2 and NOT Partner Trade. Also, the stars cannot be formed, as the dancers are in a Facing Diamond formation.

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