grade 2 theory

Question 1

second aerial position

Answer 1

-the working foot is extended to the side like in a 2nd position but raised off the ground
3 levels:
1. toe in line with ankle of supporting foot-low
toe inline with the center of calf of supporting leg-normal
toe in line with the center of the knee cap of supporting foot-high
ex. low-pas de Basque in 1st step of sword
normal- leap, shake for S.T second step
high- shake in S.T second step

Question 2

fourth opposite fifth position

Answer 2

-the working foot is extended forwards wit the toe of the working foot in line with the heel of the supporting foot.
-the knee of the working foot is flexed
-can be placed on toe, 1/2 point, or heel
-when placed on the heel, the heel is in line with the toe of the supporting foot
-this position is only used in the sword dance
-examples: toe: toe and heel in 3rd step of sword
1/2 point: open pas basque in 2nd step of sword
heel: toe and heel in 3rd step of sword

Question 3

backstepping

Answer 3

• start with one foot in 3rd aerial
• spring and during the elevation execute a round the leg movement to 3rd rear aerial. and slide it down the back of the supporting leg bringing the other foot up to 3rd aerial.
• repeat as required making sure the working foot passes through both 3rd A and 3rd R.A
• uses one count of the music usually danced in series
• you may start or finish in 3 R.A (must be consistent)
• should be smooth, continuous flowing movement

Question 4

pas de basque

Answer 4

• start with working foot in 2nd A low.
• spring to that side and bring new foot to 3rd or 5th on the 1/2 point.
• beat rear foot in 3rd or 5th rear
• front foot may extend to start next movement
• when doing a turn using 2 pas de basques, there is no extension after first one
• may travel forward (in reel)
• counting= Sword- (1& 2& 3& 4) Reel’ (1&2&3&4)

Question 5

open pas-de-basque in fourth opposite fifth

Answer 5

• as in pas de basque except working leg is in 4th opposite fifth on the 1/2 point.
• also can be placed in 4th, 2nd, and 4th intermediate.
• only used in sword
  examples: 2nd step of sword bars 2 and 3

Question 6

shake for highland fling

Answer 6

• shake actions come from knee
• a shake is always danced with a hop
• start by placing working foot in 3rd or 5th
• actual shake has 2 shake actions, 1st one finishing in 4th intermediate A low and the second in 4th intermediate normal at the same time as the hop.
  counting: (1& a2) or (1 &a2)

Question 7

rock

Answer 7

• spring from 3rd or 5th to 3rd R or the opposite
• the working foot and supporting foot land at the same time.
• rocks are danced in a series
• the rear foot is always pointed first
• uses one count of music
  example: rocking (4th step) of fling

Question 8

highcut

Answer 8

• spring, hop, or disassemble, taking working foot to 3rd R.A, then from the knee joint only, extend the working foot towards 2nd aerial and return it to 3rd R.A.
• during elevation, on or both legs may be extended to 2nd A.
• unless otherwise stated (ex. 1st highcut in toe and heel step of sword) there is no side travel
• counting: sword and ST (1& 2& 3& 4&) reel: (1 & 2 & 3 & 4)
• in sword and the first basic reel step where a series of extended highcuts are danced, the highcut which is executed in conjunction with the disassemble must be extended.
• in the reel you may dance the 1st highcut without an extension, then extend the following.