Modern western square dance dance, like traditional square dance, is directed by a "caller". In modern western square dance the caller strings together a sequence of individual "square dance calls" to make a figure or sequence. These calls are the building blocks of the choreography that is danced by the individuals – square dancers – in the squares. There are eight people (four pairs of males and females, traditionally) in each square; at a dance there may be many squares. Generally speaking, each of these squares dances independently of each other, with the exception of specialty or "gimmick" dances, where there might be some
Modern western square dance the dancer can generally dance internationally. However, as may be expected, there are style and call title variations throughout the world. For example, the calls "yellow rock" and "stack the wood" both instruct a dancer to hug the next person; in Australia, a "tip" is called a "bracket"; at the start of a tip in Northern Europe, it is common for each dancer to greet every other dancer in the square with a handshake – a practice that is uncommon elsewhere. Dancers learn the individual square dance calls required to square dance at classes, which are usually taught by square