The 5 Positions You Need to Know to be an Irish Dancer!

Every young Irish dancer learns the five positions to begin every dance. As you get older and mature as a dancer you get to skip a few of these but for now I am focusing on the beginners.

The 5 Positions

As you follow this list, bear in mind this is meant to follow an 8-count to the music. 

1. Begin counting to four and ON four, tap your feet with both feet together and facing forward
2. On five, keep your heels together but spread the top of your feet creating a V 
3. On six, keep your left foot where it is but move your right foot forward so that your right heel is touching your left toe. Don't forget to keep your feet turned out!
4. On seven, keep your left foot where it is but point your right foot in front of you while maintaining a turned out foot
5. On eight, the final count before dancing, pull your right foot back from the point and with both feet turned out and with the right foot slightly in front of the left, stand on your toes

Ending with both feet on your toes allows for maximum movement to begin any step. Remember you begin these five positions when you count to four!

Confusing? Teaching a young child? No worries! Here is how I taught three year olds the beginning positions. 

For Young Beginners

In my experience, this phrasing of words seemed to work really well for my young beginners. In future blog posts I'll dedicate more time to fun phrases I used as the children got older and were able to learn more complicated moves. 

1. Count to four! "One, two, three, TAP!"
2. Now turn your feet out and make your heels kiss each other! Look down, do you see a "V" shape?
3. Now cross! Make your left heel kiss your right toe
4. Now we are Irish ballerinas, point that toe!
5. Now stand on your tippy toes its time to dance!

Good luck everyone! Happy Dancing!