How to Stay in Step in a Marching Band

To stay in step in a marching band, you want to make sure your feet are making contact with the ground at the same time as the feet of the other band members. This means that everyone steps with the left foot in unison, then with the right foot in unison. Some band members may find it more difficult than others to stay in step, but with practice it will become natural.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Marching shoes
• Instrument

Stay in Step in a Marching Band

1. Start on your left foot, placing your heel to the ground on the down beat. With a few exceptions, most marching bands start their routines on the left foot.

2. Roll forward on your left foot, shifting your weight to the ball of the foot, while lifting your right heel to the set position on the "and" beat. If your marching band calls for a high march, lift your right leg up to your left knee on the "and" beat.

3. Extend your right heel out and put it on the ground on the next down beat.

4. Repeat the process, alternating feet as you march.

5. Follow the signals of the drum major and listen to the percussion for the down beats. If there is no percussion for a particular segment of music, a drummer will usually mark the beat using a click or rim shot.

6. Use your peripheral vision to make sure you are not getting ahead or behind the other band members in your rank.

Tips & Warnings

• There are two standard sizes of step for a marching band. Most opt for the 22.5 inch step, also known as the "eight-five" step due to its function of allowing you to march 5 yards in 8 steps. Some bands use the 30 inch step, or "eight-six." It is essential to know your band's step size and be able to execute it precisely without thinking. Otherwise, you will soon be out of step with the rest of the band.
• There are many ways of getting back in step if you have fallen out of it, some more noticeable than others. Perhaps the easiest and most used method is to take smaller steps and speed them up until you have gotten back in step. If you find yourself ahead of your fellow band members, you can slow down your step until they've caught up with you. If you are completely on the wrong foot, you can try a skip step to switch feet, though this is not recommended if you are playing your instrument because it will cause a "hiccup" in your playing.
• Avoid looking down or to the sides to see if you are in step with the person next to you. This is very noticeable to an audience or judge, and is more likely to make you fall out of step than it is to help you stay in step. Always keep your head straight with your chin up.

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