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 in solo and duo competitions with friends.

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

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

Free Exercises

The team performs a series of strong movements involving flexibility, control and uniformity of movement. Pupils operate with 'free arms' meaning they hold no apparatus.

Rod Exercises

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

Club Swinging

This is probably the hardest routine to perform correctly. Teams swing clubs in unison with perfect rhythm and uniformity in a circular action.

Younger age groups may first practice club swinging with lighter flags that are easier to manipulate.

Aesthetic

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

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 rotated each year and 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.