Eli5: Why do dancers start with a “5, 6, 7, 8” count?

Question

Why is this and what’s the point? Why not just start at 1, 2, 3, 4?

P.S. I’m a ballerina

In: 468

Answer 1

Because they are counting the 1,2,3,4 in their head, and only saying the 5,6,7,8 out loud to prepare you for the ONE which is coming up, and is usually important for whatever reason that they are counting.

They could count all 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,ONE, out loud if you want, but you would likely get bored waiting.

They could only count 8, ONE, but you might not have enough time to get into the rhythm. So 5,6,7,8, ONE is a good compromise.