[Callers] How to Describe a Ricochet Hey

[Tom Hinds via Callers]

I'm asking myself why not demo a ricochet?  In my mind there are some  
advantages to demonstrating a move instead of describing it (or doing  
both with a wireless mic).

My experience is most contra callers are highly educated and have  
exceptional verbal skills.  Maybe some callers don't value a good  
demonstration.  Or is a demonstration too beneath some of us?  One of  
my calling students told me that I failed as a caller because I  
demonstrated a move.

My own view is that watching and learning is an integral part of  
being human.  We could make a long list of older skills (like  
hunting) or newer ones like learning to play a musical instrument  
where watching and imitating is the key to learning.

I recently took an informal workshop on dance history.  The teachers  
pointed out that when people watch something, appropriate synapses  
fire in preparation for performing a task.  This physiological  
response helps the person actually learn a task better.

T