Clash
Step for two lots of four, clash on 8, spin left all the way round to an open circle for four beats, then step for four.
Egg Whisk
Like single guard – everyone walks round in a circle, then one by one people cast out to the left when they get to the front, and join the circle again at the back. The order for casting out is 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 1, 3. At the end of the figure, stop in face-up position, and step for two fours.
Mary-Anne
A three-part figure, with face up in three directions – first forwards, then to the back left, then back right (like the mercedes logo). In-between each face-up, the person at the back stays where they are, and the two people on the left cast out left and round the back, the two people on the right cast out right and round the back. When they meet at the back, the people who were on the left to start with go inside (i.e. closest to the non-moving person), the people who were on the right to start with go outside. After crossing at the back, both sets of people continue round to the front and cross the other way to how they did at the back, then form the next face-up figure (Once face-up is formed, step for two lots of 4 then continue). Repeat this in all three directions and end the third time in an open circle.
Toast Rack (Bread, Rack, Jump)
Three parts:
Bread
1 and 5 go around the outside of 2 and 4. (2 and 4 move in slightly to let them round the outside, then move out slightly to let them through the gap). This takes 8 beats, then the bread is formed with swords held high.
Rack
everyone except 3 turns outwards (i.e. away from number 3) and on the fourth beat the rack is formed either side of number three. Then step for 3 lots of 4.
Jump
the swords are lifted up, the middle sword comes up over number 3, then down to the floor for numbers 2 and 4 to jump over. Once they have jumped over, everyone turns inwards, makes a lock and steps for 4.
Show
Number one takes the lock and presents it, everyone else turns 180 degrees and walks out (making sure they are level with the person opposite so there is a pentagon shape). Step for eight like this, then walk back in
Spin
Come back in, grab the lock and step for 4, then start spinning (right foot in on beat number 4 to start). Usually 16 beats, the spin should finish with numbers 1 and 5 at the back. There will be a call of ‘out’ after the spin has finished, which will mean getting into face-up position in 4 beats.
Tits
Like Mary-Anne, has three coach&horses formations. To get to the next formation, the front two people cast out and jump over the swooped sword, the middle two people walk forwards then swoop their inside sword, the person at the back walks slightly forward then does a double-swoop. Timing is 1, 2, 3, swoop, or 1, 2, feet together on 3, land jump on 4. Step for 1 lot of 4 in coach&horses before doing the next set.
Dambusters
Go into a walk-around like egg whisk. Do everything the same as egg whisk except when casting out to the left, face forwards the first time, then go round the circle to the right as normal, then the second time cast outwards and do a double spin and join in the back again. (The order is 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 1, 3, 5, 2, 4) After everyone has done the double spin, stop in face-up and step for two fours.
Choker
1 and 5 cast out to the back, 2 and 4 step forwards slightly for four beats, then step for four beats, then cast out to the back. Bring the choker down and break-step round clockwise, then step for 1 lot of 8. (NB: this figure can become ‘Strangler’ if #2 and #4 spin inwards whilst casting to the back)
Single Tumble
1 and 5 swap places, 2 and 4 move to the end of the line. 3 tumbles. Out into open circle, step for 3 4s.
Double Tumble
2, 3, and 4 do a double swoop, 1 and 5 jump over then step for 4, Tumble, then out into open circle and step for 2 4s.
Triple Jump
The sword between 1 and 5 goes down and 3 jumps over closely followed by 2 and 4 into an outward facing circle. Step for one lot of four then walk it round into a flat lock, lift it up and step for two lots of 4.
Fast and Loose
From the high flat lock, number 3 pushes through the middle and casts right, followed by number 2 who casts left, then number 4 casts right, then number one left and five right. There should be a straight line of people in the middle, then when you cast you should make a sharp turn, casting the opposite way to the person in front of you. There will be a call of ‘out this time’ which will mean stopping in a straight line facing the audience as soon as you get into the right position.
Needles
The two people on the left cast left, the two on the right cast right (followed by number 3). Number 4 follows number 5 (and lets number 2 go first when crossing over in the middle. Number 2 follows number 1 (and lets number 5 in front when crossing in the middle. You only cross the middle twice, once to get to the other side, and once to get back, then stop in the straight line again.
Needles
Once in the straight line, step for two fours then there will be a second call of needles, where you do exactly the same thing again.
Walk In
The ends of the line walk inwards to form a lock, number three takes it and walks forwards (optional spinning/free expression/break-dancing) then number 1 will call ‘out’ at an appropriate time in the music.
At the end of the dance (after the applause has died down) the music will start playing again, number one will call ‘this time’ and everyone will do a short ‘stamp-stamp’ like at the end of the dance, then turn left and walk/jog/run off following number 5.