Query: How do you do the Cast Off in your area? I am surprised that the only variation mentioned so far is where the pivot point is (and I would agree with Colin on that - it is always intended to be between the two dancers, but anything can happen!). Depending on the background and skills of the dancers I also see variations such as: - the gatepost faces in the opposite direction to the active dancer instead of the same direction - connection can be via hand-hold, elbow-hook hold or arm around the back - if connection is with the hand then it can follow the convention of man offering from below, or gatepost offering from below The face-opposite-directions and elbow-hook hold is great for doing an extra half turn and switching partners if the dance allows for it :-) There is also variation in naming - Cast Off, Hand Cast, Wheel Around, Gate, etc. I am not sure it is a regional thing - more a matter of where and how you first learnt to do it. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events, Instructional DVDs and Interactive Maps http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Contra Dancing in Kent