Rules of animation; Anticipation

Anticipation

This is the rule which refers to the actions one places before the main action. These actions are used to make sure the audience know whats happening as well as not to miss the important main action. There are many examples of this is cartoons, where you will see a character weild a club above the head of another hold it there then strike, as to assure the action is seen by the audience.


http://pacmanlolz.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/anticipation/

 This image also mentions some of the other principles of animation