Session #807 Step Metamorphosis Presented by ynne Skilton-Hayes, International Fitness Educator and Presenter, University of Guelph Fitness Program Supervisor, B.Sc., canfitpro ProTrainer and ACE Why do so many instructors teach step but have never tried teaching multiple step formats? The conversion is easier to make then you think. Use the same choreography and the same teaching strategies, but see how the class morphs into something completely different simply by adding another bench into the mix. It's a simple conversion for an amazing end result, with little to no extra work for the instructor. Making the Conversion Complexity: Simplify the choreography at first. Decrease the number of layers and transitions bench to bench Consistency: Use a consistent transition combo or combos weekly so you are adding on week by week and all is not new every week. This gets them familiar with traveling bench to bench Identify additional bench orientations: Get them familiar with HS, NS, BD, FD, inside and outside. Build these transitions/locations into your warm up Transitions: Identify what moves are the best for transitioning i.e. Turn step, stomp, repeaters, ½ reverse Step ayout: Try different bench set up i.e., vertical, horizontal, u formation, circle, quad. Horizontal double is easier to start with Same move/different approach: Think of how the same moves can look different by changing the orientation of the move to the bench i.e. front approach versus side approach. Make the same moves work for you. Elements of Variation: If a move was on the step for your single step class i.e. tango, can you put it on the floor for your double step class? It will look different if you do. Tips For Successful Choreography Breakdown To fail to plan is to plan to fail. A double step class takes as much if not more planning then a single step class. For ease of flow, establish a natural tapless foot strike Always look at your combo in pieces
Establish a basic foot pattern (foundation) Choose your learning curve: Add on or linking?? Construct or expand on your foundation by taking a movement or portion of a movement and change the look by layering in elements of variation such as STIDE Style, Travel, hythm, Intensity, Direction, Energy and Enthusiasm. Try to keep your layers within the same counts as your foundation moves. When layering, add rhythm before direction so that participants are able to view the change. This is especially important in a vertical step class when the rhythm may eventually end up at the back door (BD) where they can t see you. Use holding patterns while teaching layers to give participants time to respond and adapt to changes Change only 1 thing at a time Establish transition moves early so you can alternate skills side to side Don t rush it Teach to the level in the room. If you don t get through all the layers just do it next week There is more than one way to teach the same combination. Experience and practice will teach you what works the best and when to use what. It s not what you teach, but how you teach it. Create an experience by focusing on the journey not just the last 5 minutes!!
Choreography Notes Combo #1 single step horizontal Movement ead eg Bench Kick (tap) ball change to top, stomp off the front ½ everse on top and exit step behind on floor 2 switch, stomp the board, mamba floor, spin on the floor Face front (home) 1-3 Start front and end facing right in front of the step Start facing right in front of the step. End facing left 4-8 9-17 1 Stomp eft end of bench on 18-20 the front side facing back Cut the Corner Front to home 21-24 Double stomp open slide over, quick back Home to home 25-32 Combo #1 double vertical *Denotes changes in orientation of movements different from single step combo
Movement ead eg Bench *Kick ball change on top, stomp to the outside HS ½ everse FD on top HS and exit BD, step behind on floor *2 Switch BD HS, stomp BD HS, mamba BD NS, spin on floor to FD NS *Stomp (slide) over FD HS Combo #2 - single step horizontal Side approach to HS (Home step) Outside HS ends facing BD HS BD HS to BD NS to FD NS From inside NS to outside NS Cut the corner From outside NS to inside NS Double stomp open From inside NS to slide over, quick outside NS to inside back NS 1-3 4-8 9-17 18-20 21-24 25-32 Movement ead eg Bench Wide ball change off Off eft end facing 1-3 the end front Shuffle quick across Facing front 4-7 the step Alternate / tango Facing out at the 8-15 on floor, turn back to bench right end Stomp slide ight end of step 16-20 behind exit, spin home ock on and over eft end of step 21-24 Up, up Switch knee, stomp to floor, quick exit eft end of step 25-32 Combo #2 double vertical
Movement ead eg Bench Wide ball change off Facing outside 1-3 the front HS *Shuffle quick down Facing back on the 4-7 the bench to BD HS, outside of HS and exit walk around end of HS *Alternate / in between NS and 8-15 tango on floor, HS tango is on HS, spin to BD HS *Stomp BD HS, In between NS and 16-20 walk back to stomp HS facing back FD HS ock on and over BD NS 21-24 BD NS Up, up Switch Knee BD NS 25-32, stomp to floor, quick exit *Denotes changes in orientation of movements different from single step combo Transition Combo #3 - single step horizontal Movement ead eg Bench Step up wide quick Face front 1-4 exit Jump on Abd, Face front, on front 5-6 swing leg to front side of step Spin around end ight end 7-10 Knee, heel, eft end 11-16 knee Full Turn All corners 17-24 Alt single stomp, spin on floor Face front 25-32 Transition Combo #3 double vertical
Movement ead eg Bench *Denotes changes in orientation of movements different from single step combo Step up wide HS On inside facing 1-4 quick exit FD outside HS Jump on Abd, Outside of HS 5-6 swing leg to front Spin around end Around BD HS 7-10 Knee, heel, FD HS 11-16 knee *Full turn HS to NS to HS 17-24 *Alt single stomp, pivot turn on floor HS to NS 25-32 Presented by ynne Skilton-Hayes: Fitness Program Supervisor, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Contact Info: Email: lskilton@uoguelph.ca Phone: 519-824-4120 X 52670