Half Catapult (5 counts ; 10 musical beats)

Introduction

The Half Catapult is similar to a “Classic” False Pretzel, but the lady is led past the man's right side, rather than past his left side.

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: ()

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 come up to his right side — by pulling her right hand slightly with his right hand and bringing his right hand (and the lady's right hand) to above head height in an arch — as he moves backwards-left.

5: (Step past)

The lady faces north 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 right hand is at head height.

The man leads the lady to move forwards and turn 180^o clockwise (with weight on her right leg) under his right hand (and the lady's right hand) — by lowering his right hand (and the lady's right hand) from head height to waist height — as he moves backwards-right.

6: (Finish)

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

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

Books

• Half Catapult in Learn To Dance Modern Jive. Robert Austin and Claire Hilliard. Sigma Leisure, Sigma Press, 1 South Oak Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 6AR, UK, 1998. ISBN 1850586020.