How to Teach a Step Routine

Step dancing is steeped in the history of black culture. Step dancing is a military style dance routine that integrates clapping, stomping and other various acrobatic techniques to create a visual and audio performance. Often music does not accompany step dancing as the dancers themselves create the rhythm and tempo. Follow these few steps to create and teach a step routine worthy of the tradition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Music (if desired for routine)
• Props for routine (canes, hats, etc.)

Choreographing the Routine

1. Decide on the difficulty level of your routine. If this is your first routine to choreograph, you should watch a good step team perform for ideas.
2. Begin choreographing your routine with simple clapping or stomping movements. Most routines begin with some sort of call or indication that you are about to begin your routine.
3. Choreograph one eight count and learn it expertly before continuing to the next eight count. Your eight counts should only be as difficult as your skill level will allow.
4. Be aware that most step routine choreographers have been in various step shows so they often borrow ideas from other routines they have enjoyed. This is okay, but make sure to change them to reflect your group's personality and style.
5. Continue adding eight counts until you have at least four eight counts minimum. Most step routines are longer, some reaching for ten to twenty eight counts depending upon the skill of the performers.
6. Increase the difficulty and showmanship of your movements by the closing of your routine. If someone in your performance group is particularly acrobatic, then use this time to choreograph in their skills to showcase your talent.
7. End your routine with another verbal call, or definitive and distinctive ending. Many fraternities and sororities who perform step routines have a particular call or movement that is associated with their group, a trademark of sorts. A roll call of members is often used to introduce your performers to the audience.

Teaching the Routine

8. Gather your group members together. Show your group members your routine. Perform it for them once without them trying to mimic you. Members will be more confident knowing you have mastered the routine yourself.
9. Begin teaching the routine. The best way to do this is one eight count at a time, going slowly.
10. Repeat it two to three times after teaching one eight count. Allow them some time in between for questions, but don't go too slowly as to not bore the more experienced members of your group.
11. Teach another eight count, then return to the first. Do this until you complete all eight counts. Again, don't spend too long re-hashing old material. But make sure it stays fresh in their minds so they do not forget the old material.
12. Perform your whole routine all the way through with the group once with no stopping.
13. Have your group perform your routine while watching them. Make mental notes of the mistakes and parts that do not look as you wanted them to.
14. Repeat the performance over and over again until you and your group feel comfortable with the outcome. This process could take a few practices, so be patient and have fun.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt a routine that is above your personal skill level, even if you are aware of a group member who is especially skilled.
• If you are planning to enter a competition it is a good idea to scope out the competition through past videos or attending other step performances.
• Be open to suggestions from other group members. Include them in the process as it makes it more fun and a more cooperative effort that the whole group can be proud of.