Description:

i) Assuming you are starting on your right foot, step sideways and slightly forwards with your right foot (keeping the leg bent and the weight low). This forms the “step” and count 1 of the combination.

ii) With a slight jump, transfer your weight onto your left foot by bringing it underneath your body and releasing your right foot. This forms the “ball” and the “&” count of the combination.

iii) The right foot should be free and the weight is on the left foot, so for the final part of the combination, step onto the right foot, anchoring your weight and therefore leaving you to start the whole combination on the left foot. This third and final stage is the “change” and count 2 of the combination.

Timing:

1 &2, 3 &4, 5 &6, 7 &8 – one set of 8 produces 4 step-ball-changes – right, left, right, left.

Emphasis:

The strongest emphasis is on the “odd” count i.e. 1, 3, 5 and 7 or put another way – the “step”of the step-ball-change. This step is very much about keeping the weight low.

Directional pattern:

You should end up zig-zagging across the room. Imagine there is a river which you don’t want to step in, you are effectively following the line of the river but are stepping each side of it with the first step of the combination.

Description:

i) Lets assume once again that you are starting on your right foot. The first component (and the most important!) is the spring (or jump). You must be ready to be wholly in the air on the first “&”, you will land on your right foot on count 1. This constitutes the “spring” of the spring-ball-change. Note: you are going straight up and down and are not moving sideways on the spring.

ii) Take the left foot to the left side and transfer your weight onto the ball of the foot. This forms the “ball” and the second “&” of the step.

iii) Your right foot should be centred underneath your body and should be availably for you to take your weight back onto it. This forms the “change” and count 2 of the combination.

Note: To start the step again on your left foot you will need to spring into the air again ready to land on your left foot. When performing a string of these the movement of your legs will take on the appearance of Newton’s Cradle!

Timing:

&1 &2, &3 &4, &5&6, &7 &8 – as with the step-ball-change, one set of 8 produces 4 spring-ball-changes – right, left, right, left.

Emphasis:

The strongest emphasis is on the first “&” of the step i.e. the “spring” of the spring-ball-change. This means that the weight stays up and you stay light on your feet. It is this difference in emphasis which separates the spring-ball-change from its cousin the step-ball-change.

Directional pattern:

You should end up travelling along a straight line. To go back to the river analogy – your feet are hot and you want to get them wet this time! You should have one foot in the water on your spring. This step can also stay on the spot i.e. you don’t have to travel forwards.

Description:

i) As with the spring-ball-change, you must be wholly in the air on the first “&” and you will land on your right foot on count 1. However, you will have left your centre line and jumped to the right. It is this movement to the side that distinguishes the highland fling from the spring-ball-change.

ii) Staying on the spot (i.e. to the right of your centre line), transfer your weight onto the ball of your left foot. This forms the second “&” of the combination.

iii) Staying on the spot (i.e. still to the right of your centre line), transfer your weight back onto your right foot. This forms count 2 of the combination and leaves you free to start the step again on the left.

Note: You should be aiming to keep your knees up high when you are springing from side to side. When performing a series of these you will look like you are dancing on hot coals!

Timing:

&1 &2, &3 &4, &5&6, &7 &8 – this is the same as the spring-ball-change, one set of 8 produces 4 highland flings – right, left, right, left.

Emphasis:

As with the spring-ball-change, the emphasis is on the first “&” i.e. the jump. You should remain light on your feet and focus on the “up” feeling. In timing and emphasis it is the same as the spring-ball-change.

Directional pattern:

With our river analogy in mind, you should be jumping either side of the river and NOT getting your feet wet! This gives the same zig-zagging effect achieved with the step-ball-change if you travel forwards but bear in mind that this step does not need to travel i.e. you can just move from side to side.