The preparatory indicates the movement to be executed.
The command of execution causes the execution.
In the command: =1. Arms forward, 2. RAISE=, the words =Arms forward= constitute the preparatory command, and =RAISE= the command of execution. Preparatory commands are printed in =bold face=, and those of execution in =CAPITALS=.
The tone of command is animated, distinct, and of a loudness proportioned to the number of men for whom it is intended.
The various movements comprising an exercise are executed by commands and, unless otherwise indicated, the continuation of an exercise is carried out by repeating the command, which usually takes the form of numerals the numbers depending upon the number of movements, that an exercise comprises. Thus, if an exercise consists of two movements, the counts will be one, two; or if it consists of eight movements, the counts will be correspondingly increased; thus every movement is designated by a separate command.
Occasionally, especially in exercises that are to be executed slowly, words rather than numerals are used, and these must be indicative of the nature of the various movements.
In the continuation of an exercise the preparatory command is explanatory, the command of execution causes the execution and the _continuation is caused by a repetition of numerals_ denoting the number of movements required, or of words describing the movements if words are used. The numerals or words preceding the command =halt= should always be given with a rising inflection on the first numeral or word of command of the last repetition of the exercise in order to prepare the men for the command =halt=.
=1. Arms to thrust, 2. RAISE, 3. Thrust arms upward, 4. EXERCISE, ONE, TWO, ONE, TWO, ONE, HALT=; the rising inflection preparatory to the command halt being placed on the "one" preceding the "=halt=."
Each command must indicate, by its tone, how that particular movement is to be executed; thus, if an exercise consists of two movements, one of which is to be energized, the command corresponding to that movement must be emphasized.
Judgment must be used in giving commands, for rarely is the cadence of two movements alike; and a command should not only indicate the cadence of an exercise, but also the nature of its execution.