Textbook Of The Official Scottish Board Of Highland Dancing

Front 1

How should your body be held?

Back 1

In a natural, easy manner without stiffness, strain or exaggeration.

Front 2

What is the supporting foot?

Back 2

The foot supporting the weight of the body.

Front 3

What is the working foot?

Back 3

The other foot.

Front 4

What part of the supporting foot should be in contact with the ground?

Back 4

While dancing, it is always the ball of the supporting foot that is in contact with the ground.

Front 5

What angles should your legs be turned out at?

Back 5

-45 degrees for supporting foot, and
--not less than 45 degrees for the working foot
kilt flat

Front 6

When foot is raised to any specified position whilst executing a movement of elevation, what is the timing?

Back 6

The foot arrives at the specified position simultaneously with the dancer landing on the supporting foot, unless otherwise stated.

Front 7

Basic Positions are . . .

Back 7

the essential positions of the feet, arms and head on which all movements are founded.

Front 8

Masic movements are . . .

Back 8

the combining, by movement, of tow or more basic positions.

Front 9

Basic steps are . . .

Back 9

a combination of basic movements.

Front 10

A closed position is . . .

Back 10

one in which the feet are either in contact with each other, or the working foot is touching the suppporting leg. (An exception is third crossed.)

Front 11

An open position is . . .

Back 11

one in which the working foot is not in contact with tht esupportin foot or the supporting leg.

Front 12

A ground position is . . .

Back 12

one in which both feet are in contact with the ground.

Front 13

An aerial position is . . .

Back 13

one in which the working foot is off the ground.

Front 14

A rear position is . . .

Back 14

one in which the working foot is to the rear of the supporting foor.

Front 15

How many basic ground positions?

Back 15

five

Front 16

What are the basic five positions?

Back 16

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th

Front 17

What are the other positions called?

Back 17

Derived positions; third crossed, fourth intermediate, fourth-opposite-fifth, and midforth.

Front 18

Toe

Back 18

In contact with the ground, without pressure, in an open position with the instep arched, or in a closed position with the foot vertical, it is said to be pointed or placed on the toe. When the working foot is pointed in an open position the knee of the working leg is kept straight except when placed in fourth-oposite-fifth.

Front 19

Half point

Back 19

When the pads of the first two or three toes are in contact with the ground, with the ball of the foot off the ground, it is said to be placed in half point.
Open position--the instep of the working foot should be arched with the knee of the working leg slightly relaxed;
Closed--the working foot should be kept as vertical as possible.

Front 20

What is half point used for?

Back 20

When the working foot is placed on half point, the weight of the body may be momentarily taken on it; the main weight being then retained on the other foot, thus providing the impetus for any required slight elevation or travel of that (i.e., the supporting) foot during the half point.

Front 21

Ball

Back 21

Pads of toe and ball of foot in contact with ground with the instep arched. The knee of the working foot is kept as straight as possible, but without strain, to allow for freedom of movement.
When the working foot is placed on the ball, the weight of the body is transferred onto it, so that when the dancer travels while so placing the foot, a step is taken.

Front 22

Heel

Back 22

Heel in contact with ground and sole of the foot kept straight and inclined upwards. When the working foot is placed on the heel in any open psition excpet fourth-opposite-fifth, the knee of the working leg is kept straight.

Front 23

When is the only time pressure is placed on the heel?

Back 23

In the eighth ST step.

Front 24

When is there no rear or aerial equivalent?

Back 24

1st and 3rdcrossed

Front 25

When is there an arial equivalent but no rear equivalent?

Back 25

2nd, mid-fourth

Front 26

When is there a rear but no aerial?

Back 26

fourth-opposite-fifth and 5th

Front 27

How is the foot never placed in rear position?

Back 27

on the half-point

Front 28

What should we know about open arial positions?

Back 28

The knee of the working leg should be kept straight, and the working foot, with the instep well arched, is off the ground with the toe at the corrrect height in relation to the supporting leg.

Front 29

Where is normal?

Back 29

Across from the center of the calf.

Front 30

Where is low?

Back 30

Across from your ankle.

Front 31

Where is high?

Back 31

Across from the center of your knee.

Front 32

What are the two closed arial positions?

Back 32

3rd arial and 3rd rear arial

Front 33

What height is assumed when none is given?

Back 33

Normal

Front 34

When landing with two feet, how should it be done?

Back 34

Weight equally distributed on balls in 3rd of 5th, insteps as fully arched as possible,and heels equidistant from the ground, and knees slightly relaxed.

Front 35

What is the line of direction?

Back 35

An imaginary line on the ground, passing from front to back between the heels of the dancer when in 1st. Used to mearure angles.

Front 36

What should be done to ensure a correct line of travel when moving sideways?

Back 36

(2nd and 8th step ST) The working foot should be placed slightly forward or backwards, as the case may be, from second position to ommmence the travel.

Front 37

1st Position

Back 37

Heels together, weight equal, turned out 45 degrees from line, on balls or flatfooted.

Front 38

2nd Position

Back 38

Working leg extended directly to the side at an angle of 90 from the line of direction, the toe and heel of the working foot being in line with the heel of the supporting foot. The working foot may be placed onthe toe, halfpoint, ball, or heel and, except in the latter case, is placed appoximately one and a half foot-lengths from the heel of the supporting foot.

Front 39

3rd Position

Back 39

Place on the toe, halfpoint, ball, or heel, touches the hollow of the supporting foot. When placed on the toe, halfpoint, or heel, the working foot is turned out at an angle of 90 from the LOD.
When the weight of the body is equally distr. on the balls of both feet, the sole of the front foot is directly over the instep fo the rear foot, both feet equally turned out at an angle of not less than 45 degrees from the LOD.

Front 40

Third Arial Position

Back 40

Knee pressed back, outside edge of working foot in contact with front of supportin foot.
Normal--heel slightly below the level of knee cap.
Low--toe in line with the ankle
Very Low--foot slightly off the ground in thrid position.
When placed on the toe, the hollow of the working foot touches the heel of the supporting foot. The working foot turned outwards at an angle of 90 form the LOD.
When place don the ball the weight is equallyu distributed on the balls of both feet. The sole of the front foot is directly over the instep of the rear foot, both feet equally turned out at an angle of not less than 45 from the LOD.

Front 41

Third Rear Arial

Back 41

In contact with the calf with knee held back and no part of the working foot being visible from the front.

Front 42

Third crossed position

Back 42

The working leg is crossed in front of the supporting leg with the half point of the working foot placed near the outside edge of the instep of the supporting foot or ball when used in the Highland Fling.

Front 43

Fourth Position

Back 43

Working leg extended with heels in line with LOD. Working foot placed only on toe or halfpoint in sword. 45 degree turnout

Front 44

Fourth Arial

Back 44

Fourth with working leg extended.

Front 45

Fourth Rear position

Back 45

Working foot in rear on ball or flat

Front 46

Mid-fourth Position

Back 46

Working leg extended to the front, midway between fourth and fourth intermediate position and is placed on the toe.

Front 47

Mid-Fourth aerial position

Back 47

Extended to the front as for mid-fourth position and rised to low arial.

Front 48

Fourth Intermediate

Back 48

The working leg is extended diagonally forward at an angle of 45 degrees from the LOD with working foot placed on the toe, halfpoint, or ball.

Front 49

Fourth Intermediate Aerial Position
Fourth Intermediate Rear position

Back 49

just raised

extended to rear ONLY ON BALL

Front 50

Fourth Intermediate Rear Arial Position

Back 50

previous but arial

Front 51

Fourth-opposite-fifth position

Back 51

The working leg is extended to the front, but with the toe of the working foot in line with the heel of the supporting foot and with a slight relazation of the knee fo the working leg. The working foot may be placed on the toe halfpoint, or heel and, in the latter case, the heel is placed in line with the toe joint and supporting foot. Sword only.

Front 52

5th

Back 52

Working foot in contact with the big toe joint of the supporting foot, and may be be placed on the toe, half point, ball, or heel.
When the weight of the body is equally distr. on the balls on both feet, the sole of the front foot is directly over the toes of the reear foot, both feet equally turned out at an engle of not less than 45 from the DOB.