Tom Fromm writes:
14. SEPARATE: Starting formation -couple. The dancers in the couple turn
back to back with each other and walk forward around the outside of the square. The
distance traveled is determined by the next call.
STYLING: Those not active will move forward to get out of the way so that those moving will not have so far to go. Men's arms in natural dance position; ladies' skirt work optional.
TIMING: 2 steps.
When I get ready to teach this move, I start with a SS. I tell them the definition, and emphasize to them that they have to listen to the second "order", to know how far to go, and what to do next. I will then have the heads pass thru, and separate. (I cue them to turn their back on their partner.) Walk around the outside, till you get to your partner, and Do Sa Do. Now square your set. I will then give the sides a chance at the same.
Next, I would have the sides pass thru, and separate. (I will again Cue to turn backs on the partner.) I will tell them to walk around till they meet their OPPOSITE, and Do Sa Do then face in. (I will tell them that they will be looking at the back of some ones head.) I would resolve to an AL, and have them promenade home. I would then give the heads a shot at the same. A very simple resolve, that stays within the CL teaching order might be: Those in the center join hands and circle left 3/4, and back away. Now the others step in and circle to the right 3/4. Centers pass thru AL.
Then, I would work on separating around __ to a line. I need to be sure, they understand that when I say walk around X# dancers, that I am talking about non moving dancers. I would want to use enough variety, to not show a pattern, but not so much at once to confuse them. I will not use "Split The Outside Couple" with separate, for a few weeks. I feel that they will hear this plenty later.
Later, I will want to get same sexes together, and use separate that way. I will also use separate from a SS, having them swing on the other side. Having both heads & sides do it one after the other, gives us an AL.