Dot.—To make a dot, swing the flag down to the right and bring it back to Position.
Dash.—To make a dash, swing the flag down to the left, and bring it back again to Position.
Front.—The third motion is front, made by swinging the flag down directly in front and returning to Position.
In order to keep the flag from “fouling” when making the motions, make, by a turn of the wrist, a sort of figure 8 with the end of the staff, as shown in the picture.
In learning signalling try to master these motions first; then it is easy to put them together in letters. Make no pause between dots or dashes in a single letter, but have a continuous motion.
Indicate the end of a Letter by a distinct pause at Position.
Indicate the end of a Word by one Front.
Indicate the end of a Sentence by two Fronts.
Indicate the end of a Message by three Fronts.
Many Scouts have found it easier to learn the motions required in flag signalling with a light stick about 18 or 24 inches long; you will be surprised to see how simple it is to handle a flag, when the motions have been mastered with a stick.