Richmond, VA Scottish Country Dancers
  • Home
  • FAQ's
  • INFO
    • Dance Etiquette
    • Cheat sheet legend
    • Cheat sheet abbreviations
  • Links
  • For Members
    • Members' contact information
    • Photos
    • Bylaws
    • Task Distribution List

Cheat Sheet Legend



½ fig 8                         dancing 4 bars in the shape of half a figure eight and will finish either on the opposite side or back on your                                            own side                  

½ reel                          half figure of eight  - can be done on the sides or up and down the set                                   
                                   Note:  all reels of 3 are figures of 8  - all figures of 8 are not reels of 3

2s up                           2nd couple move up the sides of the dance

4H across                    two couples giving right hands in the middle, dance round for 4 bars – often followed by dancing left hands back

4H round                     2 couples joining hands in a circle and dancing to the left (usually) to begin

6H round                     3 couples joining hands in a circle and dancing to the left (usually) to begin

allemande position      as promenade but then hands are raised above the woman’s right shoulder

BH                               joining both hands

balance                      all setting in a line holding hands (usually) on the diagonal when facing in opposite directions 
                                   e.g. 2M facing up 1W facing down, 1M facing up 2W facing down 
cast                            to pull back with the shoulder at the top of the set (or the bottom if stated)

corner, partner           turn 1st corner then turn partner in the middle – turn 2nd corner then partner again

crossover reel(s)        1st couple crosses down to the opposite side to dance the reel and finish in their partner’s place. In crossover                                     reels  they cross down to begin and then cross down again from their partner’s place to finish the reel  exactly                                     where  they started on their own side dance down  nearer hands joined, dance down the middle of the set                                           away from the music

fig 8                            dancing 8 bars in the shape of a figure eight

fin                                finish or finishing (as in 1C fin facing 1st corners)

lead down                   right hand in right hand lead partner down the middle of the set

LS reel                        give left shoulder to person you begin reeling with

opp side                     opposite side of the dance (e.g. if dancing as a woman it means men’s side)

promenade position    with partner hands are crossed in front

reel                             figure of eight – done on the sides, across top or bottom or on the diagonal

RH across                   two couples giving right hands in the middle, dance round for 4 bars – often followed by dancing left hands                                          back

RH across ½ way        dancing round for 2 bars giving hands across

RS reel                        give right shoulder to person you begin reeling with

set                              done on the spot – pas de basque for jigs and reels – common schottische for strathspeys