Catapult Towel (11 counts ; 22 musical beats)
Also known as: Arm Swing or Behind Arm Jive.
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 180o 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)
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 move backwards-right — by lowering his right hand (and the lady's right hand) from head height to waist height — as he moves forwards and offers his left hand behind his back.
- 4: ()
The lady faces north stepped away on the right of and slightly behind the man, who faces north.
The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand — the man's left hand is available at waist height — the lady's left hand is available at waist height.
The man leads the lady to move left — by pulling her right hand slightly with his right hand and bringing his right hand (and the lady's right hand) behind his back — as he moves right and offers his left hand behind his back for the lady to take his left hand in her left hand.
- 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 left — by pulling her left hand slightly with his left hand and bringing his left hand (and the lady's left hand) out to his left at waist height — as he moves right and brings his right hand (and the lady's right hand) near the small of his back.
- 6: ()
The lady faces north stepped away on the left of and slightly 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 extended to the left at waist height — the man's right hand is in a hammerlock (behind his back) so that his right hand is near to his left waist.
The man leads the lady to move right — by pulling her right hand slightly with his right hand — as he moves left and brings his right hand (and the lady's right hand) out to his right at waist height and brings his left hand (and the lady's left hand) behind his back — the man's palms will typically face backwards.
- 7: ()
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 right — by pulling her right hand slightly with his right hand and bringing his right hand (and the lady's right hand) out to his right at waist height — as he moves left and brings his left hand (and the lady's left hand) near the small of his back.
- 8: ()
The lady faces north stepped away on the right of and slightly 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 in a hammerlock (behind his back) so that his left hand is near to his right waist — the man's right hand is extended to the left at waist height.
The man leads the lady to move left — by pulling her left hand slightly with his left hand — as he moves right and brings his left hand (and the lady's left hand) out to his left at waist height and brings his right hand (and the lady's right hand) behind his back — the man's palms will typically face backwards.
- 9: ()
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 left — by bringing his left hand (and the lady's left hand) out to his left at waist height and releasing the lady's right hand from his right hand — as he moves right and brings his right hand (and the lady's right hand) near the small of his back.
- 10: (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 540o 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.
- 11: (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.
- 12: (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
Can go into Nigel's Move.
Note the man can travel the low towels so that he goes across to the side more, going into a hammerlock position.
The move can be performed with the lady in front of the man, i.e. with roles reversed.
Optional exit when lady is on man's right side — by flicking the lady into a 360o anticlockwise spin, as man turns 180o clockwise to face her.
Links
- Back-to-back at Bath Leroc. Hosted at The Internet Archive.
- Behind Arm Jive at Robert Pepper's Website. Hosted at The Internet Archive.