Following this logic, where an on-time arrival is essential out of a star it would be best to make it hands-across (H-A). In a H-A star, folks can use a similar arm angle adjustment to vary the star circumference (and resulting speed). Due to the configuration, there's less opportunity to gently* influence star speed with the pack saddle/hand-on-wrist form.

BTW, in dances featuring a star where a pair drop out I mention there's no need to shove your opposite away at disengagement - centrifugal force will gently take care of it once you let go of them. This is a curious bit which only seems to happen in this case - I've never received a parting shove when an "everybody" H-A star breaks up, but there's always someone in the line doing it in the drop out variant.

*I've witnessed some dancers "expediting" those ahead in a star using their free palm applied to a shoulder or back. :(

On Sun, Aug 21, 2016 at 4:31 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

It is easy to have a good connection, give good weight in a circle ¾, and make it last 6 or 8 beats by expanding or contracting the circle. Aware dancers will adjust to make the move fit the timing of the dance. Circle left ¾ into a balance: make the circle bigger so the path is a bit longer. Want that extra two beats of swing? Contract the circle, and get there early…