Split the Ring

Common throughout the state, with many variations. Good for beginners. Can be danced with five couples (or more).

 

Call Explanation
Couple number one, balance and swing
Split the ring, lady go right and gent go left Couple 1 walks between couple 3, splits, then circulates around the outside of the set to their home place
Do-si-do your partners all Everyone do-si-does their partner, then you are set up nicely for the right and left grand.
Left to your corner, partner by the right, pull by, right and left grand, hand over hand
Meet your partner, give her a swing, then promenade back to the gent’s home place Everyone swings their partner, then promenades with the one they swung back to the gent’s place.
 After the break, the figure will repeat, starting with the second couple, then another break, then the third, and so on.

Variation: first time, in to the center and cut off six (couple 1 goes between couple 3), second time in to the center and cut off four (couple 1 goes between couples 3 and 2 on the right and between couples 3 and 4 on the left), third time, in to the center and cut off two (couple 1 splits couples 2 and 4).