Positions of the Feet (Five-Foot Position Technique)

The Five-Foot Positions form the foundation of classical Sequence Dancing. They are based on turnout from the hips and provide the starting and finishing positions for many movements.

First Position

The heels are together with the toes turned out equally to form a natural “V” shape.

Second Position

The feet are apart with the toes turned out. Neither foot is in front of or behind the other.

Third Position

The heel of one foot is placed against the instep of the other foot.

Two variations are used:

Third Position Front – The moving foot closes in front of the supporting foot, with its heel against the supporting foot’s instep.

Third Position Rear – The moving foot closes behind the supporting foot, with its instep against the supporting foot’s heel.

Fourth Position

One foot is placed directly in front of or behind the other, maintaining turnout.

The heel of the front foot is aligned with the heel of the back foot.

Fourth Position Front – The moving foot is placed forward.

Fourth Position Rear – The moving foot is placed backward.

Fourth Position Crossed (Closed)

One foot is placed directly in front of or behind the other from Third or, more commonly, Fifth Position.

The heel of one foot is aligned with the toe of the other foot.

Fifth Position

The heel of one foot is placed against the toe of the other foot.

Two variations are used:

Fifth Position Front – The moving foot closes in front, with its heel against the inside edge of the supporting foot’s toe.

Fifth Position Rear – The moving foot closes behind, with the inside edge of its toe against the supporting foot’s heel.

Intermediate Position

An intermediate position between Second and Fourth Position, commonly used when stepping diagonally.

Parallel Position (Sixth Position)

Parallel Position, sometimes referred to as Sixth Position, is performed with the feet together and parallel, without turnout. It is used in dances based on Parallel Foot Position Technique.