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: