Disciplines

The different disciplines incorporate elements of dance, gymnastics, ballet, marching, apparatus technique (rods and clubs), acting and singing.

While primarily a team sport, there is also the opportunity to participate with friends in solo and duo competitions.

Your child will learn between 4 and 6 routines concurrently throughout the year to perform at the team competitions. This is where the diversity of the sport is seen.

Routines

Figure march

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Through marching, the team displays intricate figures and patterns while highlighting good deportment and uniformity.

Rod Exercises

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Similar movements to free exercises are performed, with the added complication of manipulating a long rod constantly and quickly throughout the routine.

Free exercises

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The team performs a series of strong movements involving flexibility, control and uniformity. They perform with 'free arms'.

 

Club swinging

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Teams swing clubs in unison with rhythm and uniformity in a circular action. Younger age groups may first practice club swinging with lighter flags that are easier to manipulate.

Fancy

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'Fancy' covers a range of different dance-type routines. Typically a theme is chosen and the item aims to portray a story to the audience. The type of fancy item performed is different each year.*

Aesthetic

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Graceful and balletic movements are performed in this item. Teams are expected to interpret music with feeling and softness, as reflected throughout their body and facial expressions.

 

* Fancy items can include:

  • character dance – series of dance steps to tell a story developing rhythm, dance, storytelling, acting
  • song with action  singing with movement & expression developing confidence, vocals, listening, communication, performance skills
  • song and dance  singing with dance and expression developing dance, vocals, stamina, breathing.
  • dance arrangement  dance and interpretation developing spatial awareness, elevation, expression, performance skills
  • calisthenics revue  a creative performance to tell a story developing performance skills, acting, creative expression, confidence.

 

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