STRATHSPEY POUSSETTE

POUSSETTE IN STRATHSPEY TIME
(Diagonal Line Method)
SEE DIAGRAM
(also known as Poussette Right Round or All Round Stathspey Pousette)

Danced by two couples with hands joined at shoulder height but held slightly wider than in the reel or jig poussette. The dance movements are long and sweeping and the hands are used to lead the steps.
The figure is non-progressive (you finish it where you began it).
The figure begins from the sidelines and uses eight SETTING steps.

1st man and 2nd woman begin with LEFT FOOT
1st woman and 2nd man begin with the RIGHT FOOT
(ie everyone is beginning with the outside foot - foot closest to the top or bottom of the set)

1
1st and 2nd cpls dance into a diagonal line to join hands with partners
1st woman and 2nd man dance into the middle, back to back
while 1st man and 2nd woman dance a small step with the left foot

2
1st cpl dance diagonally out to the man’s side and 2nd cpl to woman’s side,
both cpls dancing a quarter turn by the right on the hop

3
1st cpl dance diagonally down and into the middle
while 2nd cpl dance diagonally up and into the middle,
1st man and 2nd woman passing back to back

4
1st and 2nd cpls, pulling with the right hand,
turn to form a diagonal line with the 1st cpl below the 2nd cpl
1st man and 2nd woman are back to back in the middle

5-6
1st and 2nd cpls repeat bars 2 and 3,
but 1st cpl dance diagonally up and out to the woman’s side,
2nd cpl down and out to the man’s side.
On bar 6, 1st woman and 2nd man pass back to back

7
1st and 2nd cpls pulling with right hand,
turn to own side of the dance in the middle of the set

8
1st and 2nd cpls dance one step backward into original positions
For this step only the setting step is modified
by bringing the foot into Third position in front.
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HALF POUSSETTE
This formation is a method of progression.
It begins with 1st and 2nd cpls in a diagonal line, 1st woman and 2nd man back to back in the middle facing their partner.
1st cpl are nearer the man’s side and 2nd cpl nearer the woman’s side of the dance.
It takes four setting steps in four bars of music.

1st woman and 2nd man begin with the LEFT foot
1st man and 2nd woman begin with the RIGHT foot

1
1st cpl dance diagonally out to the man’s side
and 2nd cpl to the woman’s side of the dance,
both cpls dancing a quarter turn by the right on the hop

2
1st cpl dance diagonally down and into the middle
while 2nd cpl dance diagonally up and into the middle,
1st man and 2nd woman passing back to back

3
1st and 2nd cpls, pulling with the right hand,

turn to own side of the dance in the middle of the set

4
1st and 2nd cpls, dance one step backward to on sideline,
having changed places.
For this step only the setting step is modified
by bringing the foot into Third position in front.