For what it's worth, I usually call the A2 as gents allemande left until they can swing their neighbor (12 count swing). I think dancers have a hard time with doing balance and swing that starts on the 5-6-7-8 of the music and only lasts 12 counts, or 8 after the balance. It takes forever for it to "gel." I think the short wave is awkward and doesn't go with the geometry of the rest of the dance in my mind. On the other hand, going directly from the allemande left to a swing is something gents are quite accustomed to, and have adapted to despit its inherent awkwardness.
Lewis
