Formations and Terminology

Clumps

This is a commonly-used term to denote a 4x4 matrix occupied as 2x2 boxes in the corners. Facing directions are irrelevant.

\syhBBBBs{b3s,b4s,g4s,g1s,.+.,.+.,.+.,.+.}
3 1 4 2 4 2 1 3 + + + + + + + +
clumps


Traps

This is short for "trapezoids" and denotes a 2x8 matrix in which each 2x4 has the live people in a trapezoid. Facing directions are irrelevant.

\sxhBBBBs{b3s,.+.,.+.,g1s,.+.,g4s,b4s,.+.}
3 1 + + + + 1 3 + + 4 2 4 2 + +
traps


1/4 Box

This is analogous to a 1/4 tag or 1/4 line. It is the "Heads Touch 1/4" setup. A 3/4 box is the same thing with the oustides facing out as a couple.

Spindle or Sausage

These are names for the setup obtained by doing a 1/2 Circulate from columns. Facing directions are irrelevant.

Bat or Rigger

These are names for the setup obtained by having the ends Hinge from columns. Facing directions are irrelevant. It is the usual setup for the Rigger concept.

Space Invader

This is a call that does not involve any "breathing" or adjusting of one's final position based on the formation. Everyone's motion is described in absolute terms. The fundamental example of such a call is Press.

Breathing

This is the act of moving multiple resultant formations toward or away from each other so that they will abut properly at the end of the call. While much has been written about esoteric and theoretical aspects of this, it is really very simple. It is the thing that Mainstream dancers know how to do after a Spin the Top.

Inner Active, Outer Active

This is a designation used in this book, and occasionally in Challenge dancing at large, to designate specific people in waves. The inner actives are the end of the wave looking in and her partner. The outer actives are the end of the wave looking out and her partner. These terms derive from a rather obscure and obsolete concept.