Cross Trail Thru

Cross Trail Thru has been on the lists, off the lists, moved around, and defined several times.  It is currently on the A-1 list.

The definition of Cross trail Thru  is Pass Thru, Sashay (belle slides in front of the beau). 

Originally the definition included ‘and take the next call’.  The call was used extensively by callers to resolve the square, so it usually sounded like 'Cross Trail Thru to the corner, Left Allemande...'.  This is the way that you will hear it used on our older tapes.  Because of its usage to resolve the square, the call was taught as Pass Thru, Sashay, Face away from your partner and...  The reason for this is that you are supposed to take the next call and we were simply trying to guide you to where your corner is waiting, not because the face away from your partner is part of the call. 

Current usage of the call is a bit different, especially if you are used to hearing Cross Trail Thru to the corner.  The definition is Pass Thru, Sashay, and take the next call.  There is no change of facing direction!  From a squared set, we have the Heads Star Thru (DPT) Centers Pass Thru (8 Chain Thru) if we then Cross Trail Thru, everyone will Pass Thru, then Sashay, ending in Trade By position with all the couples sashayed.   If we then Trade By from here we end in 8 Chain Thru position, still sashayed.  If we again Cross Trail Thru, we end up back in Trade By, with all couples back to standard setup.  You see in the above sequence that there is never any change of facing direction during the Cross Trail Thru. 

So, to recap.  In Advanced, you will be expected to Pass Thru, Sashay and hold your position for the next call without turning. 

John Oldfield