TEACHING HINTS AND ROUTINES

68. TEACUP CHAIN Starting formation - Static square, or proceeding from everyone doing a Left Arm turn with partner. The caller will specify two ladies to move to the center at the start of the call, e.g., "Head ladies center for a Teacup Chain". For the rest of the definition, these two ladies will be called the "specified ladies". The specified ladies (both head ladies or both Side ladies) move to the center and Star Right three-quarters to meet their corners for a Left Arm Turn. At the same time, the other two ladies move to the right around the perimeter of the square to their corners, and do a Right Arm Turn. Following the Arm Turns, the specified ladies move around the perimeter of the square to their new corners for a Right Arm Turn, while the other ladies go to the center and Star Left once and a quarter to meet their new corners for a Right Arm Turn. The specified ladies then move to the center and Star Left once and a quarter to their new corners for a Right Arm Turn, while the other ladies move to their new corners (around the perimeter of the square) for a Left Arm Turn. Finally, the specified ladies move to their new corners (their original partners) for either a Courtesy Turn or a Left Arm Turn leading into the next command, while the other ladies move to the center and Star Right three-quarters to meet their new corners (their original partners) for either a Courtesy Turn or a Left Arm Turn leading into the next command. Everyone finishes with his/her original partner. If the caller desires the men to execute the ladies part and vice versa, as described above, the starting formation is a Static Square with all couples half-sashayed or proceeding from everyone doing a Left Arm Turn with their partner. The proper call is the "Head/Side Men Center for a Teacup Chain".

This call is usually done and taught from Static Squares. It should be noted that it can be called from facing BGBG lines.

Teaching Method:

It is best to have the Side girls to back out, leave all the boys and Head girls in place. Have the head girls go to the center, turn 3/4 to the side man that was on her right. Turn the Side man by the Left and travel to the Head man to her right. Turn him by the right to return to the center of the square. Turn that star 1 1/4 to the other Side man. Turn him by the Right to return to her original Partner who will Courtesy Turn her to face the center of the set.

The head girls should be walked through this procedure 2 or more times. Now, the Head girls will back out and Side girls step in. Stress that all girls start with the Right Hand. The side girls will go to their Corner with a Right arm turn, then into the center for a Left hand Star 1 1/4 to the Side man for a Right hand turn to the other Head man for a Left hand turn back to the center for a 3/4 turn to her Original Partner where he will Courtesy Turn her to face the center of the set.

The side girls should be walked through this 2 or more time. If it seems all the girls understand their path, then put all girls into the square. Walk them through the routine at least once before putting on the music. If this walk through is successful let them dance it with the music with few clues being given.

The caller should give clues if some seem to be having some trouble. It is recommended that the caller not try to teach the girls both the Head and Side path during the same tip. Reason, the men are doing a lot of turning and might rebel or at the least learn to hate this call. Yet, during the same evening the Head girls should become Side girls and the Side girls should become Head girls to repeat the above routine.

Hints: Stress that the boys have an important role. It is their job to guide the girls to the correct man or center of the square after the arm turn.

Girls will always start with the Right Hand either in the center for a Star or to their Corner.
Girls will visit every man in the square rotating counter clock wise or to their right.
When the girls are in the Star, if they use the right hand it will be a 3/4 turn. If they use the left hand it will be a 1 1/4 turn. This 1 1/4 turn seems to be hard for some ladies.

This is a forearm turn, not a hand turn.

Emphasize that the turns are arm turns and not courtesy turns until the girls return home.

Note that the boys use the same arm twice in a row (Head boys R, R, L, L; Side boys L, R, R, L) while the girls after leading with the right use the free hand/arm throughout. Tell the boys to let the girl determine which arm to use and just take the arm they are given. Let the girls know they are going to their corner and to each new corner. (this can be helpful if the girls are aware of the corner progression that they might see in a singing call.)

Other: The caller can use "Side Ladies Center for a Teacup Chain." It is recommended that this not be used for initial teaching. It is also recommended that Teacup Chain not be initially taught from facing lines.

Teacup Chain can be substituted for Grand Square in any singing call. (32 beats) Girls should (may) use skirt work while in the center and if time permits while being arm turned. on the outside.

Some callers teach this call by having all four ladies do the Head Ladies part at the same time. Then having all four ladies do the Side Ladies part at the same time.