Same Position Rule

"Whenever two dancers are walking toward each other and are required to occupy the same position, they join right hands in a mini wave sharing that position." Callerlab:  Basic and Mainstream Definitions, Revised 12.10.93)

What this means to you as a dancer is that is you are directed toward the same spot as another dancer you form a mini wave with the center over the footprints of the spot. 

This rule often comes to play at the Advanced and Challenge levels, but can occur at any level.  The purpose for the rule is that there are occasions when two dancers go to the same spot.  It is important that you center your wave over the footprints of the spot because your position will determine who you will be working with during the next call. 

Some implementations of this rule will end up in what you may consider to be an odd position. From a Facing Hourglass, for example, 6 x 2 Acey Deucy ends up with a central Diamond and offset Mini Waves in the same direction as the center of the Diamond.  Now if the Mini Waves Hinge and the Diamond Cuts you end up with offset Boxes.  From here if everyone does a Turn and Deal, we end with a nice normal Left Handed Column.

Seriously, most times this rule will come so easily that you won't be aware of it.  Remember, ending in an odd formation does not automatically mean that your formation is wrong.  Listen to the next calls and try to see if you are correct before trying to fix it.  Look over at the next square.  If they have the same thing that you have, you're probably right too.

John Oldfield