Ocean Wave Rule

"Some calls which normally start from facing couples can be done when dancers are in ocean waves (e.g. right and left thru, box the gnat, square thru, slide thru, pass to the center, etc.).  In this case, the dancers have already stepped forward toward the facing dancer and are ready to complete the remaining action of the directed call.  For the sake of dancer comprehension and teaching purposes, it may be necessary to initially have the dancers back up into facing couples, then step back into the wave and complete the call." (Callerlab:  Basic and Mainstream Definitions, Revised 12/10/93)

What this means to you as the dancer is that when you end up in an ocean wave (and over 50% of the calls can be done from waves) you may be required to do a call that you would normally expect from facing couples.

The most common is Right and Left Thru.  The important thing to remember is that you are working with the dancers in your own wave.  If you are going toward the center the tendency is to pass thru with the dancers from the other side.  Don’t do it!  Step through and work with the dancer right beside you.  Most callers will put you into a position in which the 'boy' will end up turning the 'girl' - but be prepared to do it sashayed once in a while.

Calls that include a pass thru are sometimes a little more difficult because from an ocean wave you have already done half of the pass thru.  In Pass to the Center, for example (Pass Thru, Those facing out automatically Partner Trade) the pass thru is so fast (you’ve already completed half of the pass thru by being in ocean waves) that it is sometimes difficult to identify your part.  The centers often want to pass thru with the dancers coming into the center from the other wave.  Don’t do it! As soon as you have stepped through your ocean wave you have completed the pass through.
 Callerlab also notes that the rule also applies when calls which normally start from facing dancers (e.g. Turn Thru) are called from a mini wave.

John Oldfield