Scatter Square Dance Moves:

Ideas for 1, 2, & 4 Dancers

 

The following moves for scatter square dance are listed and described in the first two columns, respectively. The third column lists the most likely formation(s) used to initiate any given move (i.e. the arrangement of dancers prior to the designated move). To view a video clip of a move select that highlighted name in the first column.

1 Person
Description
Formations Used
Clap hands or snap fingers to the beat of the music while standing still or moving.
Lonesome trail
Walk around the room in scattered manner.
Any formation
Turn around in place and continue walking.
Lonesome trail
2 People
Description
Formations Used
Partners face each other and bow or curtsy.
Any paired formation
From closed dance position, step forward and walk in a circle with right hips as pivot point.
Any paired formation
Hook right or left elbows (as designated) with partner and turn in a circle.
Any formation
Join both hands with a partner and turn around in place clockwise, unless counterclockwise is specified.
Any formation
Pass right shoulders with partner while walking forward. Then move one step to the right and back up passing left shoulders.
Any paired formation
Reverse of do-sa-do. Partners pass left shoulders first on the way forward and right shoulders on the way backward.
Any paired formation
Partners walk one behind the other with the back person putting their hands on the front person’s shoulders or waist.
Any formation
Two people change positions and continue walking.
Horse & jockey
Two people form an arch with their hands held high in the air. (approximately one arch for every 12 people) Other couples go under one of the arches while holding hands, then hit the lonesome trail.
Lonesome trail or any paired formation
4 People
Description
Formations Used
Place designated hands in the center of circle and walk around in a circle. (right hand star is clockwise, left hand star is counterclockwise)
Any 4-person formation
Four people join hands and turn in a circle, clockwise unless counterclockwise is specified.
Circle up two or any 4-person formation
One couple forms an arch. The other couple goes under the arch, drops hands with partner and continues around to the outside back to their place. The arching couple turns under their own arms. Active partners join hands again to a circle of four.
Circle up four
One couple forms an arch. The other couple ducks under the arch and back. Then that couple makes the arch for the original couple to duck under and back. All hands remain joined throughout.
Circle up four
From a circle of four, one person goes inside the circle while the others keep circling. As another animal is called a different person goes inside while the other returns to the circle. (Repeat until four animals or people have been called)
Circle up four
One couple forms an arch. The second couple goes under the arch. Keeping all hands joined, the second couple turns around under their joined arms and faces first couple with hands on top of their hands. Then undue the clover and reverse the procedure, with the second couple making the arch.
Circle up four
One couple forms an arch. The arching couple turns away from each other under their joined arms; the other couple follows so all are facing out with backs to the inside of the circle. Reverse action to turn right side in.
Circle up four
From a circle facing inward, opposite people join both hands with each other. Those with their hands on top lift their hands up and over the heads of the other two people. The remaining two people now lift their hands up and over the heads of the first two. Turn in a circle clockwise.
Circle up four
One couple promenades close behind another couple. The front couple reaches back with their outside hands and joins the outside hands of the people behind them.
Couples promenading
Lead couple goes behind the other couple by dropping their partner's hand and walking around to the back. They then regrasp hands with their partner. Or, the lead couple may back up under the other couple's joined hands, with the other couple turning under their outside arms.
Horse & buggy

 

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