Advanced Step taught a new way

I was telling some friends about an interesting method of teaching advanced step that I learned from Rebecca Small at a recent fitness convention. Previously, I had heard a little bit about this way of teaching, but had always shrugged it off as "not so special." Well, when I experienced this teaching method first hand, I was blown away!!! I couldn't wait to try it out with my advanced steppers. The following videos show the basic progression of the class, and I admit that since this was my first time doing it, the choreography is probably simpler than I was using previously, but I felt it was fine to start with.

Basically, this method enables you to build 3 (or more, if you want) combos that change lead (so far, this is exactly like "regular" step), where each combo has some number of counts of "filler" or "fluff" that gets removed in the final runs. What happens when you remove the fluff is that the moves in the 2nd and 3rd combos fall on different beats than when you taught them with the filler. The entire class had a completely new feel to it, which is exhilarating as you fly through the choreography!

The really cool thing is that this method enables you to teach fewer counts of hard choreography, which lets your class members have more time to pick up all of the trickier moves that you have included. Sometimes my classes have had the "deer in the headlights" look by the end of class -- I call it the "My brain is full" syndrome. They've just had enough of the tricky moves and by the end of class they are stuggling to remember everything. This method is a great way around this problem.

Choreography:

Combo 1: 20 counts of "real" moves, and 12 counts of "filler"
Mambo Swivel (8)
Shuffle (4)
Kick & exit the front side (4)
Abduct Chasse over (4)
Basic, x3 (12)

Combo 2: 16 counts of "real" moves and 16 counts of "filler"
V-Slide, ball-change & exit (6)
Rebound, box (7)
1 Stomp (3)
Knees, x4 (16)

Combo 3: 28 counts of "real" moves and 4 counts of "filler"
Heel hold, switch-switch, rock & stomp (8)
Drag into Tango (8)
Stomp & Hold, Ball change over (8)
Pivot (4)
Basic (4)

Method of building the combos:
1. Ensure each combo (without the filler) changes lead leg.
2. Ensure the "real" moves of all of the combos together add up to 64 or 96 counts (without the filler).
3. Combos can be any number of moves (without the filler) as long as they adhere to rules 1 & 2 above.
4. Filler moves for each combo should be the same move (e.g., 3 Basics as in Combo 1, or 4 Knees as in Combo 2). Don't try to combine 2 moves (such as a repeater and 2 basics) as your "filler" because the class will just get confused when it's time to take the filler out.

Method of teaching:
1. Teach each combo in its 32-count version.
2. Weave the combos in their 32-count version.
3. Weave the combos without the filler moves.

I have really come to enjoy this method of teaching. I hope you can find a way to try it out in your advanced classes!

Dana

Combo 1:


Combo 2:


Combo 3:



Final Product:

Final Product: Intermediate Step, 8/19/2009

Here is the video of the final product of my last Intermediate Step class. It combines Combo 1 (64 counts), Combo 2 (32 counts), and Combo 3 (32 counts). The video contains lots of options, and if you check the lady in the white top, she is an advanced stepper (and good friend!) and she demonstrates many, many options that can make this routine even more advanced.

I hope you enjoy this!




Choreography:

Combo 1:
Hangover Hamstrings (4)
Abduct, Cross on Top, 1 Stomp (8)
Double Lunge (8)
5-Knee Repeater (12)
Turn into an Elvis, x2 (8)
Tick-Tock Straddle (5)
Tango, or Reverse Stomp (5)
Stomps halfway around the world (6)
Mambo Cha-cha, x2 (8)

Combo 2:
Split Basic (8)
1 Knee & Walk Back/Forward (8)
"Indecision" (8) aka 1 straddle & 1 over
Scissor & Pivot (8)

Combo 3:
1 Mambo (4)
1 Kick (4)
Rock on Top, Box, Cha-cha (8)
Stomp Across (8)
L-Step (8)

Time for Some Intermediate Step

I taped the routine in the videos below on August 19. I still have two more videos to produce for that class, which is Combo 3, and then the entire routine for the class. But, for how, here are Combos 1 (in 2 parts, since it was too long for 1 video), and Combo 2. P.S. I added Combo 3 to this post, as well.

The choreography notes for the class will be posted with the entire routine.

I hope you enjoy!

Dana

First Half of Combo 1:



Second Half of Combo 1:



Combo 2:



Combo 3:

Staying Organized

I thought I would share with you all how I keep myself organized with my routines and breakdowns.   Now, I admit that I am really a computer geek!  I love doing things on my computer, and so I use my computer to keep all of my routines and breakdowns.  I started this back in about 1999, but have improved how I keep my files and will share this with you.

First, I have my own folder on our hard drive that is for all of my fitness class routines.  No one else is allowed to use my folder for fear of death or dismemberment!!!   When I create a new routine, I name it with the name of the class followed by the date that I first teach it.  For example, for my Intermediate Sunday morning Step class that I'm taught today for the first time , I would name the file:   

Int Step Sunday 2009_09_13.doc

This way, all of my Intermediate Step classes from Sundays will be grouped together in my file list, and they will show in the order that I taught them.   I always use Microsoft Word, but you can use any program that you are comfortable with.

Now, within that Microsoft Word file, my routines typically consist of 2 pages.  On the first page, I have the final choreography for my class.  I use this page as a "cheat sheet" that usually sits on the stereo while I teach.  It contains the cues that I will use and the number of counts for each move.  I also include on this page some notes for where I will start with my breakdown for the various moves.

On the second page, I type out my breakdown.  I admit that it's a bit of a pain to type out the breakdown, but it has saved me so much time in the end that I really recommend this method.  There have been times that I've taught 4 different levels of Step each week, I have really relied on my typed-out breakdowns to remind myself of the breakdown for my upcoming class.  Here is the way I type out my breakdowns.  Let's say that I want to break this down: 

2 Side Lunges, exit front (8)

Knee Lift Over (4)

Pivot (4)

This is how my breakdown looks on Page 2:

2 Basics (8) + 1 Knee (4) + 1 Basic (4)

Split Basic (8) + 1 Knee (4) + 1 Basic (4)

2 Side Lunges, exit front (8) + Knee Lift over (4) + 1 Basic (4)

2 Side Lunges, exit front (8) + Knee Lift Over (4) + 1 Mambo (4)

2 Side Lunges, exit front (8) + Knee Lift Over (4) + 1 Pivot (4)

I underline the part of the layer that is changing from the previous layer.  This gives me a way to remember the progression.   So, I do this for each move, and I notate when it's time to assemble the moves that were previously taught with the moves that were just taught, or when it's time to add onto the end in order to introduce new moves.  The most important part of this is to be very consistent in what you call your moves.  No one else needs to be able to decipher your notes, but it is important that YOU can decipher them weeks or months after you're done with the combo -- especially if you like to repeat parts of your combos and don't want to recreate the breakdown every time!   So, be as detailed as you need to be, even if that means putting in the individual foot falls.

One other handy aspect of my breakdown page is that it tells me how much time my class will take.  I use a small font on the second page, but if my breakdown falls onto 2 pages, then I know that the class may take too long to break down in a 1-hour class.  Similarly, if my breakdown page is only about two-thirds full, then I know that I need either more material, or more complexity (and therefore more layers) or else we will have too much time at the end of class.

So, there's a peek into my geeky compulsion to stay organized on my computer!   Feel free to email me if you have questions, and I'll try to clarify.

Have fun, and stay organized!!

Dana

Partner Step with Leslie

In July I went to see my friend Leslie (aka "Lethal Leslie") at her house in Canada. We went to her gym and one day we taped this Partner Step routine. It was loads of fun, and really great exercise, as it took us about an hour to practice the moves.... and this was after taking a great class with my new friend BJ McDonald.

We didn't create this routine for a class, so we didn't work out the breakdown.

Next up.... Intermediate Step routine!

Dana

Advanced Step, Final Routine

Here is the final run-throughs of my most recent Advanced Step class. It combines all of the combos from my recent posts, so you can see how the class went together at the end. Enjoy!

Choreography:

Combo 1:
Double Stomp & Spin to a Straddle (5)
Ball-Change on Top, Drag home (7)
Mambo (or Rhythm Mambo) (4)
Heel-Heel-Hold, Mambo w/ a Ball-Change (6)
1 Stomp (3)
Glute Fly over, Ball-Change into a Cut the Corner (7)

Combo 2:
"Shuffle & Rock" (8)
Spin to the End (2)
Abduct, Chasse up, Chasse down into a box (8)
Alternating Stomps (6) -- lots of options on this one!
L-Step (8)

Combo 3:
Tap Wide (4)
Reverse Knee (4)
Box Cha-cha (4)
Pivot (4)
Kick Straddle (4)
Reverse Turn Straddle (4)
Squat Repeater (8)