Sound of Springtown Marching Fundamentals

Basics

1) Check, Ready and Set (without instruments, right hand over left in fist)

2) Call to attention (Band.ten, hut) 4 counts, clap out loud

3) Drill position of attention we will have a competition at the end of each day

4) Forward March by the numbers start with left foot behind right, feet in ski line position. Bend,
straight, 3, 4 touch. Bend left knee slightly on bend, move left foot into straight position (South
America in Africa), swing through on 3, 4 and touch. At touch left heel should be on the ground,
right foot platform on ground heel in the air! Roll down to left toe. Repeat with right foot.

5) Initiation of forward step 5,6,7.and touch. Start with feet in ski line position. Heel on ground,
toe all the way up. The key to straight leg marching is keeping the front of the foot (everything in
front of the heel) as high as you can get it and keeping it there step by step. Feet stay on ski line
NOT tight rope!

6) Initiation of side step (left and right) same as forward step except you need to add a right foot
prep AND shoulders become focus of attention. Keep feet in ski line, shoulders square to the front
sideline. Rotate at waist, not shoulders. (inside right prep on left slide, Outside right foot prep on
right slide).

7) Initiation of Backwards step 5,6,7 .and touch. Both heels come up on the and. Slide toe back
to hit on the touch. Balance between both platforms. Keep weight slightly forward for balance. Chin
up, dont look down!!!! Keep feet in ski line to avoid shoulders moving back and forth. Both heels
on ground on close.

8) Forward 8, platform close. Ski line, toes up, swing foot through. Upper body still.

9) Left slide 8 (inside right foot prep), platform close. Focus on shoulders, horn angle.

10) Right slide 8 (outside right foot prep), platform close. Focus on shoulders, horn angle.

11) Backwards 8, platform close. Slide toes on ground, no bending of the knee. No bouncing!!!!!

12) Backwards left slide 8, Outside right foot prep

13) Backwards right slide 8, Inside right foot prep

Drills

1) Iron Cross
2) X-Men
3) Sawtooth Left
4) Sawtooth Right
5) Traditional Box Drill
a. Forward 8 (right foot inside prep)
b. Left 8 (right foot outside prep)
c. Backward 8 (right foot inside prep)
d. Right 8 , platform close
6) Sliding Box Dril
7) The New Guantlet (Ex. 72)

Stretching and Warm-ups

right over left: This is basically obvious; while standing, cross the right leg over the
left at the ankle, then bend at the waist and reach for your toes. Hold for 10 seconds, then
switch which leg is on top.

down on the right: Another obvious stretch; stand with your legs apart and lean
down towards first the right leg, then alternate to left and down the middle between the
legs, reaching for the ground. Hold for 10 seconds.

quads: While standing, bend one leg at the knee and grab your ankle behind you.
Switch after 10 seconds.

butterfly: Sit down on the ground and bend legs at knees, bringing feet together. Pull
feet in towards your body until you feel a stretch in your inner thighs. DO NOT
BOUNCE. Hold for 10 seconds.

right over left and twist: While sitting, stretch both legs in front of you. Take the right
leg and cross it over the left, with your ankle near the knee. First, hold leg with your
arms, stretching it. Hold for 10 seconds, then repeat with the left leg over the right.

arms and arches: While standing, stretch first right leg back behind you, balancing on
the toe. Focus on stretching the arch. While doing this, cross right arm in front of your
body, using the left arm to stretch it. Stretch both simultaneously and hold for 10.
Switch to left arm and leg.

* calves: While standing, stretch right leg behind you and bend at the left knee. The
focus should be on the back part of your lower right leg, or your calf muscle. Or, get inthe push-up position
and put one leg hook one foot over your ankle, keeping one leg straight with the toe support you on the
ground. Hold for 10 and switch.
 hamstrings: One way to stretch your hamstrings is by extending one leg with the heal on the ground
and the toe pointing up. Put your weight on the other leg that is slightly bent. Feel the stretch in your
hamstring. Hold for 10 and switch.

arms: Put your arms behind you, linking your hands. Lift your arms up, like
somebody was pushing your hands. This stretch is felt in the shoulders. Hold for 10.
Also, stretch the arms by grabbing one elbow, reaching that hand to touch below your back. Pull on the
elbow to stretch. Hold for 10.

Be sure to stretch all muscle groups. These stretches are guidelines, but it is encouraged to stretch
however you feel comfortable. Also, do not stretch cold muscles. Before stretching, do some light
movement to make sure blood is flowing.

Notes