65. SPIN CHAIN THRU: Starting formation -parallel waves. Each end and the adjacent center dancer turn one half (180°). The new centers of each ocean wave turn three quarters (270°) to make a new ocean wave across the set. The two centers of this wave turn one half (180°) to reform the wave across the set. The two outside pairs of dancers of the center wave now turn three quarters (270°) to join the waiting ends and form parallel ocean waves.

STYLING: Hands up as in swing thru. It is important that the waiting ends remain in static position with hands ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. TIMING: Box, 16.

Spin Chain Thru is not an easy call for dancers to accomplish. If done by itself four dancers are spending a lot of time waiting. At on portion two other dancers must come to a sudden stop and wait a few beats of the music then start again. The caller should be very aware of this problem when teaching. When Spin Chain Thru is called, most callers have the ends Circulate or do some other movement. Callers should never teach this as part of the call. Some dancers seem to confuse Spin Chain Thru action with Spin The Top or later in Plus with Spin Chain The Gears. It is suspected that this is because of the starting formation, the 1/2 beginning turn, and the 3/4 turn. Yet, it should be given equal teaching emphasis as any other MS call. If dancers are to proceed into Plus, they will find that other calls are built upon this call.

Spin Chain Thru can only be called from waves. It is recommended that it be taught from standard Right Hand Waves. Most callers will work the call with boys on the ends of the Waves first, but they will proceed immediately with the girls on the ends.

There are two areas of caution. One is for the dancers. After the 3/4 turn of the centers, while the new centers are Trading, two dancers must wait. The caller should develop a wording to help those dancers remember to wait. Because their bodies are turning, they will want to continue to move. This action, sometimes, confuses the dancers that have just Traded.

The second caution is to the caller. Make sure that you change the facing direction of the dancers in the Wave. The action is different for those on the beginning end of the Wave.

The best advice one can give is to practice, practice, practice the dancers. Call it often after it has been taught.

Four Ladies Chain 3/4
Heads Star Thru
Pass Thru
Right & Left Thru
Spin Chain Thru
Swing, Promenade

Heads Square Thru
Spin Chain Thru
Girls (ends) Circulate
Spin Chain Thru
Boys (ends) Circulate
Swing OR Boys Run & Promenade

Lawrence Johnstone writes:
H/S Lead Right, DoSaDo to a wave
Spin Chain Thru, Girls Circulate 2x
Boys Run Right, Ferris Wheel
Centers Pass Thru
(Swing and Promenade here, or mess around in a zero box a bit for timing)
Note: This figure works out for a 1/2 promenade. That's often too short for normal dancing, but it seems to work out well in a teaching situation where the dancers need a little extra time. Also, for a Plus floor, replacing the "Centers Pass Thru" with "Double Pass Thru, Track II" time out right for a swing and full promenade.

David Cox writes:
To fix up the timing try Heads Flutterwheel, Heads Square Thru instead of the Lead Right, go straight into the Spin Chain Thru, etc, Swing, Promenade and it should time pretty close to 64 beats.

Dan Koft writes:
To be honest with my dancers I tell them that this call has some of the hardest parts in Mainstream dancing. I have been telling them that the hardest part in square dancing is to stand still and wait while others are doing a call or their part of a call. Spin Chain Thru has the centers trade with the outsides and then wait for the next call (oft times "ends circulate" is called to give them something to do). After the new centers turn 3/4, the 2 in the center trade while the other 2 HAVE TO STAND STILL waiting for the final turn 3/4.
I have had reasonable luck with having them vocalize their part as they do it.
I call/say ,---- They respond
Spin Chain Thru
All Turn 1/2
Center 4 Turn 3/4
Center 2 Turn 1/2
While other centers WAIT!
Center 4 Turn 3/4
Later I chant with the motions
1/2, 3/4, 1/2 or wait, 3/4

William F. Kellicker writes:
Zero Box:
Spin Chain Thru---Girls Circulate
Spin Chain Thru---Boys Circulate
Swing Thru
Boys Run
Wheel & Deal---Zero Box

Zero Box:
Spin Chain Thru---Girls Circulate Twice
Boys Run
Bend the Line---Zero Line

Zero Box:
Spin Chain Thru---Girls Circulate Twice
R/L/G

Jim Penrod writes:
Heads Touch 1/4
Centers Walk & Dodge
Spin Chain Thru
Girls U Turn Back & CIRCULATE
Boys Run
Recycle
Box the Gnat & Hold on
Rt & Lt Grand
Promenade

Heads Lead right
Circle to a Line
Pass the Ocean
Spin Chain Thru
Girls Circulate
Boys Run
Bend the Line
Slide Thru
Pass Thru
Allemande & Promenade

4 Ladies Flutter Wheel
Heads Rt & Lt Thru
Sides star Thru
Pass Thru
Rt & Lt Thru
Spin Chain Thru
Girls (Ends) Circulate
Spin Chain Thru
Boys (Ends) Circulate
Swing Thru
Boys Trade
Girls Circulate
Girls Run
Couples Circulate
Girls Trade
Ferris Wheel
Centers Pass Thru
Rt & Lt Grand
Promenade

A little EA
Heads Rt & Lt Thru & SASHAY
Heads Square Thru
Spin Chain Thru (BBGG Waves)
Ends Circulate
Centers Run
Ferris Wheel
Girls Square Thru 3/4
Boys Reach out and Courtesy Turn the girls
Pass Thru
Wheel & Deal
Centers Slide Thru
Rt & Lt Thru
Back Away, Your Home (or Everyone say "BullsEye)

Naturally check them out. I have and they work. But sometimes I mis-type.