This final combo in my July series is almost too easy to post, but sometimes even the no-brainers are hard to come up with.  So here is the basic combo, with definitions.  No progression, because there really isn’t one:

Around the world, anyway you like it (16)
L step (8)
Figure 8 (8)

Definitions:

Around the world, anyway you like it – I like to give my students  the choice to work whichever move they like around the world.  Mix ‘em up for fun or try a different variation everytime you start the combo.  Leg sides, knees, extensions, inner thighs, leg curls, jumpshots, taps, hops, kicks…  so many choices, so little time!

Figure 8 - Step hop R on the bench to turn and face the back (12) two steps LR on the floor facing back (34) step hop L on the floor to turn and face the front (56) two steps RL on the floor moving forward (78)

Enjoy!

In this series of four posts, I’m providing a different step combo with teaching progression – as best I can explain my mad methodology!  Enjoy!

Combo 3:

1/2 V Shake(4) R lead
hop 1/4 turn off the end (4) R lead, exit to the right of the step
split basic (8) L lead
repeater turn (8) L lead
hop turn (4) R lead
4 party marches (4) L lead

Definitions:
V-Shake -   
(1) Step up R
(2) Step up L wide (like you are starting a V step) 
(3-6) shake your hips RLRL
(78) Exit RL

1/2 V-shake  -
(1) Step up R
(2) Step up L wide (like you are starting a V step) 
(34) shake your hips RL

Split Basic –  
(12) Step up RL
(3) tap the floor behind you (or lunge back) R
(4) step on the step R
(5) tap the floor behind you (or lunge back) L
(6) step on the step L
(78) Exit RL

Repeater turn -
3 knee repeater the same as usual, but gradually rotate 1/4 turn around the corner of the bench

Party Marches -
march while shimmying your shoulders and partying with your hips

Teaching progression:

March on top of the bench RLRL (4) + hop R (2) [step R and hop R on top of the bench] +
exit LR to home(2) + 2 basics L.  Reverse and repeat as needed.

Repeater knee R, 1 hop L march 4 steps RLRL.  Repeat as needed.

Add together to create the full combo skeleton:
march on top of the bench hop exit.
2 basics
repeater knee
1 hop march on the floor

Now you will start to layer in all the fun stuff.  I add them in this order:
Party marches in place of the last marches on the floor
Split Basics
Direction changes
V Shakes

Have fun!

 In this series of four posts, I’m sharing the combos I created to sub a step class recently.  Included are my definitions of each non-self-explanatory step and the teaching progressions – as best I can explain my mad methodology!

Combo #2:

3-knee repeater with kick (8) R lead
single knee (4) R lead
mambo across and back (4) L lead
mambo cha cha x2 ** (8) L lead
2 knee repeater (5) ski (3) L lead
Reverse

** To add to this, make the first mambo cha cha ”normal” and do the second on the floor swapping a  pivot turn for the mambo.
 

Definitions:
knee repeater kick – Do a three knee repeater the way you always do.  On count 8, instead of stepping or tapping, do a kick with your lead foot so that you do not reverse.

mambo across and back – Just like a regular mambo, except that instead of taking the first step on the bench, take your lead foot over to step in front of the step.  Step your second step in place.  Then complete the mambo as usual with your lead foot behind and second step in place.

ski – Start with your lead foot slightly behind your other foot, weight evenly distributed. Jump to quickly switch your back foot to the front at the same time the front foot switches to the back.

Teaching Progression:

Teach mambo across the bench and back.  Set aside.

Knee repeater kick x2 or x4 +  knees to 3 corners + mambo across the bench and back 12 counts. reverse.
Then, steadily condense it to one of each step as in the combo.

2 knee repeater(5), march 2 counts(2), clap on 8 – no feet (1).  Repeat to get comfortable with the rhythm.  Either here or later in the progression, change “march 2 clap” to 3 skis.

Mix in the mambo cha chas, starting with each on the bench, then change to one on, one off, and eventually one on, one pivot.

When you have this block down, add it to the first block to complete the combo.

Have fun!

I don’t teach Step regularly anymore as interest in it at the main club where I teach has waned significantly.  It has never really been my forte as an instructor either.  However, I got a call to sub at a different gym last night, and I had the pleasure of putting a few combos together.  Since I wasn’t sure of the audience, I tried to vary the choreography difficulty, without going overboard.  In this series of four posts, I’m including each combo with teaching progression – as best I can explain my mad methodology!

Combo 1: Mambo Madness 

5-count mambo x 2 (10) R lead
3-count mambo x 2 (6)  R lead
reverse turn      (4)  R lead
3-count mambo x 2 (6)  R lead
2 knee repeater (6) to reverse

Definitions:

5-count mambo -
Angle the body to the left front corner of the room. 
 (1) Step R foot on L corner of the step
 (2) Step L foot on floor slightly left of the step.
 (3) Step R foot on the L corner of the step (it stays in the same place, essentially)
 (4) Step L foot on floor behind R foot
 (5) Step R foot on floor next to L foot facing the front

3-count mambo -
Angle the body to the left front corner of the room.  
(1) Step R foot on L corner of the step
(2) Step L foot on floor directly to the left of the step.
(3) Step R foot on the L corner of the step (it stays in the same place, essentially)

Reverse turn -
Angle the body to the left front corner of the room.  
(1) Step R foot on L corner of the step
(2) Face the back of the room, step L foot on the step
(3) Step R foot on the floor, continue turning
(4) Step L foot next to R on the floor, facing front

Teaching Progression:

Teach 3 count mambos, set them aside.

Teach 5 count mambo, 6 marches. Repeat as needed.

Teach reverse turn, 6 marches, 2 knee repeater.  Reverse and repeat as needed.

Combine to have: 5 count mambo, 6 marches, Reverse turn, 6 marches, 2 knee repeater.  Reverse and repeat as needed.

Demonstrate the 3-count mambo in place of the 6 marches then let them go crazy!

Have fun!