Well, hmmm... Since many of us (including me) are newish callers here, I'll risk throwing my two cents' worth in here. I think this issue is a LOT more complicated than it appears at first - some halls seem to gather people in one corner or another (maybe, but maybe not (!) having to do with the slope of the floor) and some dances seems to encourage people to bunch up or spread out at certain points in the dance. It would be useful if some scientific investigations would help us understand when and why! That said, I do think we as callers can help. I like for the lines to spread out just far enough for each person in the long line to make a "W" when holding hands with the people standing to either side of them. Not a "T" (arms stretched out wide) and not an "I" (shoulder to shoulder), but a kinder, gentler "W". I think the space between partners standing across the set from each other should be more like the "T" (arms stretched out). If we taught that in beginner classes, some people would remember it and try for it, and then we could mention it, say, once a night, or once every other night if we call somewhere regularly. Just a short "Stretch out the lines just far enough to make a "W" with the person standing next to you." And what to do when the lines are short and the bottom couples drift to the bottom of the hall? I say "Wait for 'em". If they don't come join you, just stand there, but invite them up with a reaching out gesture. If they REALLY don't come join you, just turn around the next time through the dance and become a two. I've never had to do that, but I can imagine someone getting so absorbed in their swing dancing or conversation that they forget the rest of us are there, in which case we do them a favor by giving them extra time. Most of the time, a single disciplined couple can get an entire line tightened up by the time they make it to the bottom of the line. You can even do it by yourself if your partner doesn't fight you too much. The same goes for the bunching up at the top. 1. There are moves like Long Lines Forward and Back that are perfect for resetting the spacing. Taught right by the caller, it becomes fun, actually. Diagonally long lines ("Strech em out, stretch em out. Way out, way out"). 2. Or on a Down the Hall, don't come too far back. Just stop when there's enough room for the couples ahead of you. 3. It's a little rude, but you can also swing or circle just a little too close to the folks below you, and they'll avoid you by swinging closer the the folks below *them*. Oh dear. I'm afraid I've put in six cents' worth. M E On Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 1:00 PM, Mark Widmer <widmermt(a)yahoo.com> wrote: