| Change—Step. | To change step in marching, the advancing foot will complete its pace, and the ball of the rear foot will be brought up to the heel of the advanced one, which will make another step forward, so that the time will not be lost, two successive steps being taken with the same foot. |
This may be required when any part of a squad, or a single soldier, is stepping with a different foot from the rest.
To change step when marking time, two successive beats will be made with the same foot.
21. The Double March.
| Double—March. | The time having been given on the drum, on the word March, the men will step off together with the left foot, doubling on the fore part of the foot, care being taken that the heels do not touch the ground. At the same time they will raise their hands as high as the waist, fists clenched, the flat part of the wrist inwards. The arms must move with freedom at the shoulder with the action of the legs and be kept close to the sides. The head must be kept erect and the shoulders square to the front. There must be no stiffness in the movement of the legs; thigh, knee, and ankle joints all working freely. The feet must be picked up cleanly from the ground at each pace, and the body inclined slightly forward. As the foot leaves the ground it should be carried straight to the front, care being taken that the heels are not raised towards the seat. |
| Squad—Halt. | As in S. 15, at the same time dropping and partly opening the hands. |
The recruit will be taught to mark time in double time, the hands being raised and the fists clenched as when marching in double time, but the arms kept steady. From the halt, the word of command will be Double, Mark—Time.
22. The Side step.
Caution.—Right (or Left) close.
| Right (or Left) Close, —March. or —Paces, Right (or Left) Close,—March. | On the word March, each man will carry his right foot 15 inches direct to the right, and instantly close his left foot to it, thus completing the pace; he will proceed to take the next pace in the same manner. Shoulders to be kept square, knees not bent, unless on rough or broken ground. The direction must be kept in a straight line to the flank. |
| Squad—Halt. | On the word Halt, which will be given when the number of paces has not been specified, the men will complete the pace they are taking, and remain steady. |
Soldiers should not usually be moved to a flank by the side step more than twelve paces.