Bouncy Catapult (8 counts ; 16 musical beats)

Steps

1: (Step back)

The lady faces south directly in front of the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand.

The man leads the lady to move backwards (stepping back on her right foot in preparation for an anticlockwise rotation) — by pushing her right hand slightly with his right hand — as he moves backwards-left off the lady's line, leaving it free for her to step forwards.

Some men signal the Catapult by making a definite cup with their right hand under the lady's right hand, as they step away.

2: (Step in)

The lady faces south stepped away in front of and slightly on the right of the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand.

The man leads the lady to move forwards past his right side and turn 180^o anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) under his right hand (and the lady's right hand) — by bringing his right hand (and the lady's right hand) slightly below waist height then raising his right hand (and the lady's right hand) from waist height to above the lady's head in an over-arm “bowling” motion — as he moves forwards.

3: (Step past, and offer)

The lady faces north on the right side of the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand — the man's right hand is at head height.

The man leads the lady to finish the turn (placing weight onto her right foot as a brake and then stepping back on her left leg) — by lowering his right hand (and the lady's right hand) from head height to waist height — as he moves forwards-right and offers his left hand behind his back.

The man can bounce forwards, kneel down, point forwards or do a “superman” pose during this step. Some men offer the left hand behind their back, or as a more subtle “tail feather”. Alternatively, keep the lady waiting, until she comes up to the man's left side in the next step, before offering the left hand.

4: (Step away)

The lady faces north stepped away directly behind the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand — the man's right hand is behind his back.

The man leads the lady to move forwards and take hold of his left hand in her left hand — by pulling her right hand slightly with his right hand — as he brings his left hand (and the lady's left hand) and brings his right hand (and the lady's right hand) into the small of his back.

5: ()

The lady faces north close to directly behind the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's left hand in his left hand and holds the lady's right hand in his right hand — the man's left hand is behind his back.

The man leads the lady to move backwards — by pushing her left hand slightly with his left hand and pushing her right hand slightly with his right hand — as he brings his left hand (and the lady's left hand) and brings his right hand (and the lady's right hand) away from the small of his back.

6: ()

The lady faces north stepped away directly behind the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's left hand in his left hand and holds the lady's right hand in his right hand — the man's left hand is behind his back.

The man leads the lady to move forwards-left to come up to his left side — by releasing her right hand after pulling it slightly with his right hand and pulling her left hand slightly with his left hand extending it out to his left, so that it is across and in front of the lady at waist height — as he moves backwards.

7: (Spin the lady)

The lady faces north on the left of and slightly behind the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's left hand in his left hand — the man's left hand is extended to the left at waist height.

The man leads the lady to move forwards-right and spin 540^o clockwise (with weight on her right leg) — by bringing his left hand (and the lady's left hand) in an arc from his left side to in front of him, then flicking the lady's left hand — as he releases the lady's left hand from his left hand.

8: (Catch, and step back)

The lady faces south directly in front of the man, who faces north.

The man typically catches both of the lady's hands in a double handhold, or catches the lady's right hand in either of his hands.

The man typically catches the lady's hands in a double handhold, or catches the lady's right hand in either his left or right hand. The man leads the lady to finish the spin (placing weight onto her left foot as a brake and then stepping back on her right leg) — by pushing her hand(s) slightly with his hand(s) — as he moves backwards.

9: (Finish)

The lady faces south stepped away directly in front of the man, who faces north.

The man typically has a double handhold with the lady, or holds the lady's right hand in either of his hands at waist height.

Notes

Variations