Crossfire

The definition is:  The centers begin to Trade, the ends Cross Fold.  Upon completing their Trade, the centers release hands and step straight forward forming and ocean wave or mini-wave with the dancers they are facing.  If the trade leaves the original dancers facing no one, they step forward and remain facing out.   

An easier way to remember it:  The CENTERS Trade and Extend while the ENDS Cross Fold and Extend.   

The first is the Callerlab definition of Crossfire - you know, the one I’m always telling you to remember.  The second is how I usually cue the call in a dance situation.  The standard setup for Crossfire is right faced two faced lines.  The ending position from here is a neat right faced column.  The tricky part here is remembering not to cross over the center line into the other side.  You work with the people in your own 2 faced line.  The call works best when the centers begin to trade and the ends step in immediately behind their (former) partner for the cross fold.  If the centers complete their trade before the ends get into motion, the ends will have to walk around them as they extend, and the persons going through the middle of the formation will end up side-stepping one another to get into their place.  So, when you hear the call Crossfire both center and ends should move toward the center of their line like they were doing a half tag, except the centers retain the handhold for the trade and step forward, and the end follows to end up immediately behind his former partner all in one smooth motion.   

Other Applications: 

Crossfire from in facing lines of four:  The centers do a partner trade and extend while the ends cross fold and extend.  The ending position is completed double pass thru.  This position works best if the centers do their trade and immediately step forward so that the centers have room behind them to cross fold and extend.  Advanced dancers may note that the centers part feels a little like step and slide insofar as they step forward with dancers stepping in behind them.   

Crossfire from out facing line of four:  The centers partner trade and extend (this time to an ocean wave with the other centers), while the ends cross fold and extend ending in a quarter tag formation.  The tricky part is to get the centers to partner trade with each other and then step to the wave.  The ends remain as a couple on the outside. 

John Oldfield