Callerlab (the International Square Dance Callers Association) organizes square dance moves into groups. Within each group, there is a recommended teaching order, starting with the simpler moves. Their website contains a wide variety of information that is useful for clubs and dancers, as well as callers. Both dancers and callers will find their Teaching Resources to be a useful reference.
Basic and Mainstream Moves
A one-page list of all Basic and Mainstream moves in PDF format that is a useful resource for all dancers..
Basic – Level One
Information about the first moves from “Circle Left” to “Dive Thru”. At the local “beginner level” dances in December thru February, the callers will limit their calls to the moves on this list.
Basic – Level Two
Information about the moves from “Wheel Around” to “Flutter Wheel”. At the local “New Dancers Jamboree” and “Graduate’s Ball” in April, the callers will limit their calls to the Basic One and Basic Two moves.
Mainstream Level
Information about the moves, from “Cloverleaf” to “Recycle”. Dancers attending a “Mainstream” dance are expected to have some experience with these moves. The local “Summer Dances” are designed to give new dancers extra experience with these more complex moves.
Plus Level
After gaining solid experience with the Mainstream program, dancers may wish to learn the thirty additional moves in the Plus Level program. Two local clubs (Acey Pluses and Tom’s Plus) hold Plus Level lessons and dances.
Advanced & Challenge Levels
Experienced dancers may wish to go beyond the Plus level to these more challenging levels. For information, contact the Double A’s club.
RELATED RESOURCES
Taminations
The Tam Twirlers club offer excellent animations of all Basic, Mainstream and Plus moves. The program is available for download on Apple phones and tablets, so that you can look up a move while you are at a dance.
North Shore Squares
This club provides videos of individual square dance moves in the mainstream program. The video at the top of this page is one example. It is a recommended resource for new dancers
Video Square Dance Lessons
The Saddlebrook Squares club offers videos of Basic and Mainstream moves. Several moves are included in each video, so that you can see how different moves flow smoothly together.