Foot positions

Question 1

Line of direction

Answer 1

imaginary line passing from front to back between the heels of the dancer when standing in 1st position.
The angles of basic foot positions are measured from this line.

Question 2

First position

Answer 2

heels together. Weight of body evenly distributed over both feet. Feet turned out 90 degrees (45 degrees each foot) from line of direction.
Can have feet flat on ground or on the balls of the feet.

Question 3

Second position

Answer 3

working leg is extended to the side at an angel of 90 degrees from the line of direction (LOD).
Toe and heel of the working foot are in line with the heel of the supporting foot.
the working foot can be placed on the toe, half point, ball or heel.

Question 4

Second aerial position

Answer 4

the working leg is extended to the side as in second but raised to the required level.
can be raised to: Low, normal or high level.

Question 5

Second aerial position LOW

Answer 5

toe in line with the ankle of the supporting leg

Question 6

Second aerial position NORMAL

Answer 6

toe in line with the centre of the calf of the supporting leg

Question 7

Second aerial position HIGH

Answer 7

toe in line with the centre of the knee cap of the supporting leg

Question 8

Third position

Answer 8

the working foot (which may be placed on the toe, half point, ball or heel) touches the hollow of the supporting foot.
When placed on the toe, half point or heel the working foot is turned out at an angle of 90 degrees from the LOD
when the weight of the body is equally distributed on the balls of both feet the feet are turned out no less than 45 degrees from the LOD

Question 9

Third aerial position

Answer 9

with the knee of the working leg pressed well back the outside edge of the working foot is placed in contact with the front of the supporting leg

Question 10

Third aerial position NORMAL

Answer 10

Normal; heel slightly below the level of the knee cap of the supporting leg

Question 11

Third aerial position LOW

Answer 11

Low; the toe in line with the ankle of the supporting leg

Question 12

Third aerial position VERY LOW

Answer 12

Very low; the foot slightly above the ground above third position

Question 13

Third rear position

Answer 13

when placed on the toe the hollow of the working foot touches the heel of the supporting foot.
the working foot is turned out at 90degrees from the LOD
When placed on the ball the weight is evenly distributed over 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 no less than 45 degrees from LOD

Question 14

Third rear aerial position

Answer 14

the working foot is placed behind the supporting leg at the same height as in third aerial position normal.
the inside edge of the foot being in contact with the calf of the supporting leg
the knee of the working leg is held back, no part of the working foot being visible from the front.

Question 15

Third crossed position

Answer 15

The working leg is crossed in front of the supporting leg with the half point or ball of the working foot, placed near the outside edge of the instep of the supporting foot

Question 16

Fourth position

Answer 16

working leg is extended to the front with both heels in line with the LOD.
The working foot (toe or half point) is turned out at 45 degrees from LOD

Question 17

Fourth aerial position

Answer 17

the working leg is extended to the front as in 4th position but raised to normal level

Question 18

Fourth rear position

Answer 18

as in 4th position but the working foot is taken to the rear and is place on the ball or flat

Question 19

Mid-fourth position

Answer 19

the working leg is extended to the front, midway between 4th and 4th intermediate position and is placed on the toe

Question 20

Mid-fourth aerial position

Answer 20

extended to the front as for mid 4th position and raised to low level

Question 21

Fourth intermediate position

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Fourth intermediate aerial position

Answer 22

the working leg is extended as in 4th intermediate but raised to the required level (low or normal)

Question 23

Fourth intermediate rear position

Answer 23

as in 4th intermediate position but the working leg is extended to the rear and only placed on the ball

Question 24

Fourth intermediate rear aerial position

Answer 24

as in 4th intermediate rear but with the working leg raised to normal level

Question 25

Fourth-opposite-fifth position

Answer 25

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 the knee of the working leg flexed.
The working foot may be placed on the toe, half point or heel ( when on heel the heel is placed in line with the toe joint of the supporting foot)

Question 26

Fourth-opposite-fifth rear position

Answer 26

this is the position of the rear foot when the front foot is placed in fourth opposite fifth position

Question 27

Fifth position

Answer 27

the working foot is in contact with the big toe joint of the supporting foot.
may be placed on the toe, half point, ball or heel.
When placed on the toe, half point or heel the working foot faces outwards at a 90 degrees angle from LOD.
when on the balls of both feet the weight is distributed evenly and both feet are turned out at no ledd than 45 degrees from LOD

Question 28

Fifth rear position

Answer 28

this is the position of the rear foot when it is placed on the ball and the front foot is in 5th position