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	Rod exercises	Free exercises
Through marching, the team displays intricate figures and patterns while highlighting good deportment and uniformity.	Similar movements to free exercises are performed, with the added complication of manipulating a long rod constantly and quickly throughout the routine.	The team performs a series of strong movements involving flexibility, control and uniformity. They perform with 'free arms'.
Club swinging	Fancy	Aesthetic
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.	This is a generic term that 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.*	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.