Could hand technique be contributing to square thrus taking more than
two beats per exchange? One of my long-past English dance instructors
taught pull-by hands as almost a quick handshake-and-release, where
you're no longer in contact by the time you're shoulder-to-shoulder. If
the dancers maintain contact for longer than that, one of them is almost
certainly going to have less than a 1/4 turn after the exchange, while
the other will have more than a 1/4 turn. I've observed this phenomena
even in 16-beat square thrus with balances preceding the first and third
exchanges.
--Nick
[Stuff below Rich's response snipped]
On 09/08/2018 09:34 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers wrote:
The Callerlab timing chart has square thru taking 10
beats from a
static square and 8 beats from (closer( facing couples such as they
would be after the heads star thru.
In the following square I would allow 10 beats.
Heads Lead Right & Circle to a Line,
Lines F&B
2 ladies Chain Across and Back
Has Square Thru 4 (This square thru is from a line of four that is at
the sides static position.
Corner Swg & Promenade
In the square, below, I would use 8 beats for the second square thru.
Heads Sq Thru 4 (10)
RH Star (8), LH Star (8)
Corner DSD (6), Sq Thru 4 (8)
Can Swg (8), Promenade (16)
In this square the dancers start the second square thru nose to nose
rather than across the set.
Most contra would be starting a square thru from across the set, so 10
is a good number, if it starts after a balance, 8 would be wiser.
Rich