How to Teach Modeling Runway Techniques and Turns

The general public may think that strutting your stuff on the runway is easy. However, modeling runway techniques and turns are a skill that must be practiced and mastered to be a successful model. It doesn't matter how good looking you are, if you cannot walk the runway properly, you will not be hired for fashion shows. There is a method to learning the runway, and a trained model is more apt to land the big fashion show jobs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Masking Tape Focal Point Object

1. Place a strip of masking tape down the center of the runway. If a runway is not available for practice, a large space or hallway will work as well. The masking tape represents the center of the runway, the part where the model is to walk. It will help the model walk in a straight line, learning how to put one foot directly in front of the other.

2. Hang up a focal point on the wall, a few feet from the end of the runway, at the model's eye level. This will help the model keep perfect posture while walking on the runway, and stop her from creating a habit of looking down while she walks. A focal point should be bright, highly visible and colorful so models can see it without a problem.

3. Practice several runs of walking down the runway, staying on the masking tape and keeping eyes on the focal point. Once the model reaches the end of the runway, he should exit and go back to the beginning to walk again. Make sure he is keeping his head up, and his feet directly on the middle line.

4. Master the pose. There are three common poses used at the end of the runway, before turning and walking back. The first one is known as the "c" pose. The "c" pose is when your body creates a shape of the "c". Once you hit the end of the runway, the model's left hand should go on the hip, the right toe should point to the right and the head should turn to the right as well.

5. Learn the next common pose, the "s" pose. Similar to the "c" pose, the body will form the shape of an "s". With the left hand on the hip, the right toe should point to the right again, but this time the face should turn to the left.

6. Master the "I" pose. This pose can actually be done two different ways. First, the toes stayed forward, as does the face. The arms can be crossed over the body, giving a bit of an attitude. The second method is to face forward, keep one arm at your side and the other hand on your hip. By twisting your torso every so slightly, you can create the attitude for which many models strive.

7. Teach the model how to create a proper and fluid turn on the runway. After a three-second pose, the model should turn using a pivot foot, and pause for two seconds, then walk back down the runway. Practice the turns to them fluid. It is also crucial for the model to keep on the center line, and keep good posture during the turn as well as the return walk down the runway.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice walking in different shoes down the runway. Use music when walking the runway, to create an atmosphere and help with the motions of walking, posing and turning.