In general, all Circulates have each dancer move forward along a defined path (called the "circulate path") to the next dancer position. The definitions below will refer to the following diagrams.
No call in the Circulate Family can be used with the Ocean Wave Rule or the Facing Couples Rule (see "Part 1: General: Conventions and Rule").
Fractions are proper and occasionally used with calls in the Circulate family. See "Additional Detail: Fractions".
The timing for all Circulates is 4, but if the Circulate has the effect of a Pass Thru, the timing is 2.
The various types of Circulates and various ways to name them are described in detail in the following sections.
General Lines (for example, Ocean Waves, Two-Faced Lines), General Columns
Designated dancers move forward to the next dancer position, following their General Lines or General Column circulate path.
A dancer looking out of the formation walks in a 180-degree arc and finishes in the next position on the other side, looking in. Others walk forward one dancer position.
General Lines, General Columns
Arms should be held in natural dance position and ready to assume appropriate position for the next call
The call "(Named Dancers) Circulate" is usually used from General Lines.
When all dancers are active (for example, Everyone Circulate), the comments in All 8 Circulate also apply.
Circulate is the same as Everyone Circulate, unless it is clear from the previous call that only certain dancers are active (for example, Dive Thru, Centers Touch 1/4 and Circulate).
Not all dancers on a given circulate path need to go in the same direction. Dancers going in opposite directions along the same path will pass right shoulders. (See "Part 1: General: Conventions and Rules: Passing Rule".)
(Named Dancers) Circulate is sometimes used more generally with unusual formations. Each dancer walks forward in a smooth path to the next dancer position. For example:
It is improper for (Named Dancers) Circulate to cause a circulating dancer to end on the same spot as an inactive dancer, for example, from Columns, Ends Circulate. From Columns, "Centers Circulate" is only proper if the caller makes it clear that the dancers must stay in the center, for example, "Boys work in the center and Circulate". Box Circulate could instead be used, for example, “Centers Box Circulate”.
Two-Faced Lines
Couples Circulate
Each couple works as a unit to move forward to the next position, following the General Box circulate path (see above). Example:
Two-Faced Lines
All dancers maintain a couple handhold for Couples Circulate. Couples traveling the shorter distance should adjust with shorter steps to coincide with those traveling the longer distance. Those traveling the longer distance should not rush. Arms should be held in natural dance position and ready to assume appropriate position for the next call.
General Lines (for example, Ocean Waves, Two-Faced Lines), General Columns
All 8 Circulate
All dancers Circulate.
General Lines, General Columns. Same as starting formation from Ocean Waves, Two-Faced Lines, and Columns.
Same as for (Named Dancers) Circulate
It is improper to teach that All 8 Circulate always means "ends stay ends and centers stay centers". This statement is true from Ocean Waves and Two-Faced Lines, but not from Columns.
From Two-Faced Lines, Couples Circulate is a more common way to call All 8 Circulate. From Columns, Single File Circulate is the same as All 8 Circulate.
When dancers go in opposite directions along the same path, All 8 Circulate is often equivalent to other calls (for example, Pass Thru or Trade By). These applications are proper, but confusing to many dancers. Except in an instructional setting, they are often perceived as attempts to trick the dancers and should probably be avoided. On the other hand, All 8 Circulate from Three And One Lines is acceptable, though still difficult and uncommon at Mainstream.
Columns Only
All dancers Circulate
Columns
Same as for (Named Dancers) Circulate
Box Circulate and Split Circulate, while similar, are covered in two separate cases.
Box Circulate
Each dancer moves forward to the next position, following the General Box circulate path (see above).
Box Circulate
Same as for (Named Dancers) Circulate
Box Circulate is proper only after specifying a group of four dancers or, rarely, groups of four dancers. For example, one could say "On each side Box Circulate" but "Split Circulate" would be more common and preferred.
Once dancers in a Box Circulate formation are identified, Box Circulate and Circulate are the same, and many callers will say only "Circulate".
General Lines (for example, Ocean Waves), General Columns
Divide ("split") the formation in half. Dancers in each half move forward to the next position, following the General Box circulate path (see above). Examples:
General Lines, General Columns. Same as starting formation from Ocean Waves and Columns.
Same as for (Named Dancers) Circulate
