Question

Bar 21-24 : At the end of three hands round, does 1st woman almost finish it in three step, with 2nd woman's help pulling back right shoulder to dance in to finish ready for half poussette, or release hands earlier pulling back left shoulder? 

Answer

An entry related to these bars first appeared in the RSCDS Manual of Scottish Country Dancing 1992 and is repeated in the 2004 edition. It clearly states that the circle must break on bar 23 to allow the 1^st and 2^nd couple to be ready (dance in) for the half poussette. If the circle is danced robustly and all three couple are almost back where they started then they should be able to dance into position in the normal manner.