Foot positions are the basic building block that underpins all types of Highland Dancing. Every movement and group of movements that form a dance step has specified foot positions which the dancer should accurately place.

A spring is similar to a hop but we land on the other foot.

The video shows the spring points movement where we execute springs and point the other foot in fourth.

High Cuts are similar to spring points but we place the foot on the back on the leg each time we spring.

More advanced movements build upon the spring, hop and foot positions and when combined with other movements make up our dance steps.

A toe and heel is two hops or a spring and a hop and placing the other foot on the full point (toe) in third or fifth.

Pas de Basque are either performed on their own by youngsters or as part of the sword dance. The spring movement is used in a Pas de Basque with the foot extended to the variation of second position – second aerial position.

We can combine pas de basque and high cuts together.

Shedding is the main movement used in the Highland Fling and consists of hops and springs with basic and alternative foot positions as shown.