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Mon, Mar. 31st, 2008, 07:18 pm
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Sat, Mar. 1st, 2008, 04:03 pm
Choreography taught Sat 3/1/2008

Block 1


  • R alternating knees (8)
  • R split straddle* (8)
  • R mambo on and off (4)
  • R over the top (4)
  • R repeater (8)

  • Block 2


  • R knees around the world for 3† (12)
  • L foot on board, two-knee push (4)
  • L over the top (4)
  • L alternating knees (8)

  • Block 3 (cross-phrased)


  • R stomp double-L (10)
  • R alternating knees (8)
  • R revolving door (8)
  • R double knee (6)

  • Note


    * Split straddle: like a split basic, but straddling: walk it up RL, lunge astride RL, exit RL.

    † Knees around the world for 3: R step knee straddle, L step knee exit, R step knee straddle.

    Sun, Feb. 17th, 2008, 02:19 pm
    L-shaped double step

    Block 1

    • RL alternating knees (8H)
    • R washing machine (8H)
    • R repeater exit (8H)
    • L basic for 2 (8A)

    Block 2

    • R basic (4H)
    • R hop turn (4H)
    • L two-knee push (8HA)
    • LR glide (facing out) (8A)
    • L split step (8A)

    Block 3

    Block 4

    Block 5

    • R stomp double-L (10HA)
    • R double knee (6H)
    • L step knee straddle exit (8A)
    • R repeater (8H)

    Note


    H = home; A = away. Step is set up in an L shape. When facing forward, the Home step is set horizontally in front of the participant, and the Away step is set up vertically to the participant’s right. Where the two steps touch, there should be a notch.

    When the choreography begins, the participant steps with the right lead on the Home step. When it reverses, the participant steps with the left lead on the Away step.

    When all five blocks of choreography are run together, the participant will begin block 4 while straddling.

    This choreography was written on 12/17/2007. I taught it in a pickup class to AC on 2/15/2008.

    Thu, Feb. 14th, 2008, 01:47 pm
    Step: Choreography taught Thurs 2/14/2008

    Block 1

    • R basic, over the top, basic, over the top (16)
    • R alternating knees, one knee on, one off; change to knee, pivot back, triple step (8)
    • R repeater (8)

    Block 2

    Block 3

    • R mambo on and off the board for 2; change to walk the mambo* (8)
    • R double knee straddle (6)
    • L double knee exit (6)
    • R over the top (4)
    • R basic (4)
    • R single knee (4)

    Alternative block 3 (same weight change)

    • R mambo on and off the board for 2; change to one mambo, one pivot (8)
    • R double knee straddle (6)
    • L double knee exit (6)
    • R revolving door (8)
    • R glide (4)

    Note


    *To walk the mambo, mambo on and off the board with direction, so you make a big L off the side of the bench.

    Transcribed at the request of AT, who attended the class and doubted that she could remember the choreography.

    Sat, Jan. 26th, 2008, 03:49 pm
    Step: Conversion choreography 1/25/2008

    Original combination 1

    • R basic for 2 (8)
    • R turnstep (4)
    • L jump shot (4)
    • L knee back off west end of board (4)
    • R knee forward, facing east, to north side of board (4)
    • R double knee, walk back (8)

    Tapless combination 1

    • R revolving door (8)
    • R turnstep straddle (4)
    • R knee straddle (4)
    • L knee back off west end of board (4)
    • R knee forward, facing east, to north side of board (4)
    • L two-knee push (8)

    Original combination 2

    • R knee forward (4)
    • R side out off west end of board (4)
    • RL walk up, step out R atop board, kick L, walk back toward end LR, step down onto floor LR (8)
    • RL walk up, step out R atop board, kick L, walk back toward end LR, step down onto floor LR (8)
    • R knee back (4)
    • L V-step (4)

    Tapless combination 2

    • R knee forward (4)
    • L side out off west end of board (4)
    • Facing north, RL walk up, step out R atop board, kick L, walk back toward end LR, step down onto floor LR (8)
    • Facing south, LR walk up, step out L atop board, kick R, walk back toward end RL, step down onto floor RL (8)
    • R knee back (4)
    • L V-step (4)

    Original combination 3 (tapless)

    • R alternating knees (8)
    • R walk the plank (8)
    • R repeater (any variation) (8)
    • R alternating kicks (8)

    Edited combination 3

    Note


    Thanks to DS for her original choreography!

    Sat, Jan. 26th, 2008, 03:36 pm
    Step: Glide (4)

    Glide (4)

    • Facing west, step R onto board (1)
    • Swing L leg behind in a glute squeeze to opposite side (2)
    • Exit LR on the north side of the board (3, 4)
    • If this move is immediately repeated, you will step L, still facting west

    Note


    I break this move down by first teaching alternating knees, then turning that into alternating glute squeezes. Finally, I alternate glides off the end of the board.

    Sat, Jan. 26th, 2008, 03:34 pm
    Step: Rocking horse combination (32)

    Rocking horse combination (32)

    • R rocking horse (8)
    • L rocking horse (8)
    • R rocking horse (8)
    • L alternating knees 2 (8)

    Rocking horse around the world combination (32)

    • R rocking horse, straddle down, facing west (8)
    • L rocking horse, exit north to face south (8)
    • R rocking horse, straddle down, facing east (8)
    • L alternating knees, exiting south to face north (8)

    Sat, Jan. 26th, 2008, 03:24 pm
    Step: Double knee, walk back (8)

    Double knee, walk back (8)


    Start with this:
    • R double knee (1–4)
    • L march for 4 (5–8)
    Change to:
    • R double knee (1–4)
    • L walk around east end of board for 4, turning in and spinning around if desired (5–8)

    Sat, Jan. 26th, 2008, 03:05 pm
    Step: Two-knee push (8)

    Two-knee push (8)

    • R foot on board, L double knee, third knee into an over the top (8)

    Note


    This should really be called a "double knee push," but "two-knee push" comes out of my mouth, so that's what I call it.

    This move does not change the lead foot; if the move is immediately repeated, you'll begin on the R lead again, on the north side of the board, facing east. It's therefore not a replacement for a repeater, but a repeater is a good move to do beforehand to get the participant to feel the 3-2-1 knee movement. The final knee then gets converted into an over the top.

    Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 10:42 am
    Step: 4-3-2-1 repeater combination (32)

    4-3-2-1 repeater combination (32)

    • R 4-knee repeater (10)
    • L regular repeater (8)
    • R double knee (6)
    • L alternating knees (8)

    4-3-2-1 repeater around the world combination (32)

    • R 4-knee repeater, straddle down, facing west (10)
    • L regular repeater, exit north to face south (8)
    • R double knee, straddle down, facing east (6)
    • L alternating knees, exiting south to face north (8)

    Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 10:21 am
    Step: Repeater variations (8)

    Repeater (weight change) (8)

    Knee drop box shuffle (8)

    • This is the same as a knee pivot shuffle, but with a straddle
    • Break down by first teaching a repeater straddle shuffle
    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a knee lift (1, 2)
    • Step down L (3)
    • Straddling bench, shuffle quickly, RL, over bench; weight will hit on L foot on 4-count (4)
    • Box step RL around the west end of the bench (5, 6)
    • Step R on floor (south side of board), turning body in toward board, and shuffle quickly; R foot will hit the floor on both the 7-count and the 8-count (7, 8)
    • When you finish, you should be ready to repeat on L lead

    Knee pivot shuffle (8)

    • This is the same as a knee drop box shuffle, but without the straddle
    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a knee lift (1, 2)
    • Step down L (3)
    • RL quick shuffle forward, facing east; weight will hit on L foot on 4-count (4)
    • R pivot (5, 6)
    • Step R and shuffle quickly; R foot will hit the floor on both the 7-count and the 8-count (7, 8)
    • When you finish, you should be ready to repeat on L lead

    Repeater shuffle (8)

    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a single knee lift, facing east, ready to straddle shuffle (1, 2)
    • L foot taps down (3)
    • L foot leaps quickly to board as R foot simultaneously taps down on the north side of the board (4)
    • R foot leaps quickly to board as L foot simultaneously taps down on the south side of the board (5)
    • Put weight on R foot as L leg comes up in a knee lift, so the knee lifts on the 6-count (6)
    • Exit LR, to end facing north (7, 8)

    Repeater straddle shuffle (8)

    • Break down by first teaching a repeater tap over
    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a knee lift (1, 2)
    • Step down L (3)
    • Straddling bench, shuffle quickly, RL, over bench; weight will hit on L foot on 4-count (4)
    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a knee lift (5, 6)
    • Exit LR (7, 8)

    Repeater tap out (8)

    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a knee lift (1, 2)
    • Tap L toe on the ground close to board (3)
    • Tap L toe on the ground, further out (4)
    • Tap L toe on the ground, back in (5)
    • With weight still on R leg, lift L knee up on the 6-count (6)
    • Exit LR (7, 8)

    Repeater tap over (8)

    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a knee lift (1, 2)
    • Step down L (3)
    • Straddling bench, tap R toe over bench onto the floor (north) (4)
    • Step on board R and lift L leg in a knee lift (5, 6)
    • Exit LR (7, 8)

    Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 08:57 am
    Step: Choreography taught Thurs 1/24/2008

    Block 1

    Block 2

    • R double stomp, single stomp (8)
    • R double stomp, single stomp with direction: double stomp across (8)
    • R step knee straddle, L over the top to exit (8)
    • L split basic (8)

    Block 3

    Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 08:21 am
    Step: Tap your toes (8)

    Tap your toes (weight change) (8)

    • Tap R toe on board (1)
    • Step down R (2)
    • Tap L toe on board (3)
    • Step down L (4)
    • Tap R toe on board (5)
    • Step down R (6)
    • Tap L toe on board (7)
    • Step down L (8)

    Tap your toes, take it around (directional variation 1, around the world) (8)

    • R tap toe on board, facing west (1)
    • Step down R onto floor, straddling the board, facing west (2)
    • L tap toe on board, facing west (3)
    • Exit the straddle by stepping down L onto floor, facing south (4)
    • R tap toe on board, facing east (5)
    • Step down R onto floor, straddling the board, facing east (6)
    • L tap toe on board, facing east (7)
    • Exit the straddle by stepping down L onto floor, facing north (8)

    Tap toes, straddle and back (directional variation 2, facing west) (8)

    • R tap toe on board (1)
    • Step down R onto floor, straddling the board, facing west (2)
    • L tap toe on board, facing west (3)
    • Step down L onto floor, straddling the board, facing west (4)
    • R tap toe on board (5)
    • Step down R onto floor, facing north, to exit the straddle (6)
    • L tap toe on board, facing north (7)
    • Step down L onto floor (8)

    Note


    This is way easier than the lengthy transcription may indicate: tap toe on board, step that same foot down, then switch the lead.

    Note that it's a tap, not a stomp or a step, so you don't put all your weight on the tapping foot.

    Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 08:16 am
    Step: Washing machine (8)

    Washing machine (8)

    • Facing west, step R on board and bring L knee up into a hop turn (1, 2)
    • Facing east, LR straddle down (3, 4)
    • Facing east, step L on board and bring R knee up into a hop turn (5, 6)
    • Facing west, RL straddle down (7, 8)

    Note


    A washing machine is two hop-turn straddles in a row.

    Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 07:57 am
    Step: A-step triple (4)

    A-step triple (4)

    • Facing west, R foot steps on board as for an A-step, step up L, and step off R, leaving your L foot hovering above the board (1, 2, 3)
    • Rock quickly LRL, cha-cha-cha (4)
    • To repeat coming back, still facing west: L foot steps on board, step up R, and step off L, leaving your R foot hovering above the board (1, 2, 3)
    • Rock quickly RLR, cha-cha-cha (4)

    Note


    This is an A-step with the trailing leg staying above the board (rather than tapping down), so you can give a little triple step (cha-cha-cha). This move simply makes the A-step tapless.

    I break it down by teaching a regular classic (tapped) A-step, because the major weight change is the same. Although this is really also the same as an over the top, I cue it as an A-step so that participants will position their trailing leg forward, which makes it easier to triple step.

    Fri, Jan. 25th, 2008, 07:28 am
    Step: Double stomp, single stomp (8)

    Double stomp, single stomp (weight change) (8)

    • Stomp R foot on board, stomp L foot on floor while keeping R foot hovering above board (1, 2)
    • Stomp R foot on board, stomp L foot on floor (3, 4)
    • R step on floor (5)
    • L stomp on board (6)
    • RL step on floor (7, 8)

    Double stomp across (directional variation 1, facing north to go across the top) (8)

    • Stomp RL, moving body to left (west), so you're off the short edge of the board when you step L (1, 2)
    • R across the top, moving west to east (3, 4, 5)
    • Stomp L on board (6)
    • Exit backward (south) onto floor RL (7, 8)

    Double stomp straddle (directional variation 2, facing west to go over the top) (8)

    • Stomp R foot on board, stomp L foot on floor while keeping R foot hovering above board (1, 2)
    • Stomp R foot on board, stomp L foot on floor (3, 4)
    • R foot straddles over board and steps north onto floor (5)
    • L foot stomps onto board (6)
    • R foot steps on floor (7)
    • L foot straddles over board and steps south onto the floor (8)
    • You may either exit the straddle, or you can do a move that begins while straddling

    Note


    This 8-count move does not switch the lead foot; you end where you begin.

    You will be stomping on the board on the following counts, as you count down from 8: 8, 6, 3. All the other stomps are on the floor.

    Wed, Nov. 14th, 2007, 09:34 am
    Floor: Easy choreography taught 11/14/2007

    Block 1

    • R double grapevine, half turn (16)
    • R step tap for 8, swim arms back (8)
    • R walk it up and back (8) [32]
    • R walk it up and back for 2 more (16)
    • R step hamstring curl for 8 (16) [32]
    • R step hamstring curl, single single double, for 3 (24)
    • L step hamstring curl for 4 (8) [32]

    Block 2

    • R scoop it up and back (16)
    • R mambo for 2 (8)
    • RL V-step (8)

    Note


    I wrote this for a low-impact class, so there is a lot of repetition. I used slow music for this (128 bpm). Students have problems getting the double grapevine with the half turn, so I teach it first without, then add the turn as an option.

    Sun, Nov. 11th, 2007, 09:35 am
    Step: Introductory class taught 11/07/2007

    Block 1

    • RL tap toes on board (8)
    • R basic for 2 (8)
    • R alternating knees (8)
    • R repeater (8)

    Block 2

    • R I-step for 2 (up and jack, down and jack) (16)
    • R repeater (8)
    • L basic for 2, or revolving door (8)

    Block 3

    • R double knee (6)
    • L double knee (6)
    • R alternate glute squeezes for 3 (12)
    • L V-step for 2 (8)

    Note


    The first block introduces the three basic moves in Step: basic, alternating knees, and repeater.

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