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Kilgore College Rangerette Secrets
by Asst. Director, Shelley Wayne
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Kick down the floor, as we call it, using exercise/practice
kicks…step, kick, walk, walk, step, kick, walk, walk… Put your team into
lines of 6 according to height and have them kick from one end of the
gym or practice area to the other. First, have them kick waist level to
serve as a warm-up for staying in line while moving. Then, have them repeat
the same process only kicking as high as they can! Once they have mastered
this combination, add a section of jump kicks in between each walking
pattern to build stamina.
Continually emphasize the following:
- Keep chins up at all times unless choreography dictates otherwise
- Prep with feet together
- Once the kick leaves the ground, both legs should be straight
- Point toes and refrain from using too much turnout
- Maintain proper torso alignment (no hunching forward with the shoulders
or sinking of the abdomen)
- Push to get kicks up on time and Pull them down (do not allow anyone
to float them down)
- In practice, have everyone say HIT as the kick hits its peak point.
This helps with timing and motivation.
- Work on all types of kicks (straight, corner, graduated, flex, and
fans) using the above techniques. A helpful hint to make fan kicks
look prettier is to have them HIT the rotation at the 45-degree angle.
This way, you can truly see that it is a fan kick.
- Have your team turn and face the side and kick on a line. This will
help them stay in line with one another and enable you to look for
those who hunch or have bent legs.
- When executing kicks to the diagonal, have them turn their hips
to that direction so it appears to be at a different angle when it's
really just a straight kick!
- When working on levels and tricky footwork, have them stop on every
count to check for body angles and precise placement.
- If you perform in boots or wear any type of hat, make your team
wear them to practice. Boots and tennis shoes are hard to point if
you don't practice it, and hats can accentuate improper head and body
placement and chins not lifted.
The #1 secret is…stamina, stamina, stamina! Kick everyday!
Commitment, dedication,and repetition are the keys to success!
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Shelley Wayne
Assistant Director of the Kilgore College Rangerettes
Veteran Staff for Starmakers
Dance Camps
Guest
Writer and Speaker for DTDA
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