Some common `FIGURES’ (Adderbury-based)
Parallel lines facing up the set, dance up and back to place (usually twice)
Foot Down is same in reverse, going down the set
Face partner across set
Dance across set passing right shoulders
Dance backwards to own position passing right shoulders
Dance across set passing left shoulders
Dance backwards to own position passing left shoulders
All set face across to partner and stand still apart from 1&2
Tops (1 & 2) dance down to bottom of set between lines
They dance backwards to original position
All set dance down to bottom of set apart form bottom 2 who cast out
All reverse motion to end up back in place
…is reverse of Tops Down with bottom couple dancing to top of set and top couple casting out
All dance to partner across set grasping right hands to line up in one long line in middle of set
Swing round your partner to end up on opposite side, ensuring left hand is thrust out parallel to shoulder
Repeat for other side, grasping left hand, to return to original position
Face partner across set
Dance across set passing right shoulders
Dance to your right, passing back to back with partner until you are on the other side of them
Dance backwards to own position passing left shoulder of your partner
Then dance across set passing left shoulders
Dance to your left passing back to back with partner until
you are on the other side of them
Dance backwards to own position passing right shoulder of your partner
An interweaving motion along the line that you are in, passing each person until back to your original place…
…..best described verbally and shown
Usually starts the dance – walk in big (or sometimes 2 smaller) circles in clockwise direction until back to original place
Other traditions have other figures, heys and rounds but description of these are best left until more experience is gained