As a BOOM MOVE instructor, you are tasked with carefully selecting exercises that help your participants meet their goals. The sample exercises provided may or may not be suitable for your group. Apply risk-versus-benefit exercise selection principles to optimize safety and effectiveness.
Tips for Teaching Block Choreography
- One option is to teach “add-on” choreography in “32-count blocks”, which should correspond to the 32-count phrases formatted into most aerobic music mixes. Three or four moves can be linked together and repeated in different directions and asymmetrical patterns:
- Move A, A+Move B, AB+Move C, ABC+Move D
- Move A – 4 Ponies (8 counts)
- Move B – 2 James Brown Slides (8 counts)
- Move C – 2 Hitchhikers (8 counts)
- Move D – Hustle forward and back, 1x each (8 counts)
- TOTAL – Two 32-count blocks
- Move A, A+Move B, AB+Move C, ABC+Move D
- Another option is to repeat basic steps eight to 16 times followed by repetition/reduction movement patterns. 16x, 8x, 4x and single repetition sequencing is productive for neuromuscular learning and building confidence with continuously moving choreography and transitions.
- Move AA+Move BB+Move CC+Move DD=A+B+C+D
- 8 Ponies, 4 James Brown Slides, 4 Hitchhikers, Hustle forward and back 2x each
- 4 Ponies, 2 James Brown Slides, 2 Hitchhikers, Hustle forward and back 1x each
- Try this! Start with 2 Ponies by stepping on your right foot, then 1 James Brown Slide right, 1 Hitchhike left, Hustle forward on right foot. Repeat all, starting with a Pony on left foot. (Creates one quick 32-count block!)
- Move AA+Move BB+Move CC+Move DD=A+B+C+D
- If you are familiar with choreographing to a song, as is done in many current, popular dance-fitness classes, it is also an option in BOOM MOVE. This class structure involves choosing specific movements or combinations for each part of a song, and the class is comprised of several individual songs instead of a pre-formatted aerobics mix. The key to successfully teaching this style is to be as familiar as possible with your music; you choose exactly which songs you wish to use in your class.
- A sample format for one song may look like this:
- Intro: a march or simple base move
- Verse 1: verse choreography
- Refrain 1: refrain choreography
- Verse 2: verse choreography
- Refrain 2: refrain choreography
- Bridge: bridge choreography
- Refrain 3: refrain choreography
- A sample format for one song may look like this:
A few additional tips to keep in mind:
- A movement that travels right should eventually travel left. Same with traveling forward and backward.
- Choreograph movement with the idea that each pattern will have an entry or start position, an action, and an exit or finish position. In an ideal transition, the exit for one exercise is the entry for the next exercise.
- Teach a variety of agility and coordination skills from basic to more complex. Consider changing one upper- or lower-body movement pattern at a time before combining arm and leg choreography.
- Don’t forget to choreograph upper-body movements! Dance isn’t just about the footwork. Even if participants need to gain familiarity with the footwork first, it is still important to choreograph meaningful arm movements. Some participants may choose not to add arms if it is too complicated for them, but as an instructor, you should continue to model a total-body workout.