Routine #1 (Step)
5 - 64 count combinations all beginning with the lead foot. Try balancing by teaching all right then left at least once throughout your routine.

Routine #1 (Step)
118-128 Horizontal

Combination #1
"You are My Sunshine" - 64 count

Basic right x 2 (8)
Grapevine Diagonal r/l to the front of the bench, facing the right wall (8)
A step x 2, r/l (8)
Turnstep right x 1, walk around to the back left leg lead x 1 (8)
L step r/l x 2 (16 ct)
Diagonal, walk around to the back x 2 or Figure 8’s (16 ct)


Repeat left lead. 

How would you teach the grapevine diagonal?

Initially place the class in a grapevine pattern with step touches on the floor. Ask the class to watch you and as they perform the movement behind the bench, you would move to the front diagonally, tap up tap down x 2 (same as the step touches on the floor). Then do the same moves back, but perform the step touch on the floor, you should fit in easily with the class. Teaching the class to use different types of orientation is a great way to increase mental awareness and focus. Have you ever taught a class and used different orientations of the room? Only the class has no idea what you are doing. This can be very frustrating to instructors who teach this style (California). When you want to do something different, try teaching California, using all sides of the room. 

Options for Combo #1:

Option for the basic right - Perform a Basic Cha, cha, cha:
Counts1- 4: Perform a basic right.
Counts 5-6: turning towards the left, leading right cha, cha, cha towards the back (you will make a complete 360).
Counts 7 – 8: lead left, moving forward cha, cha, cha. Fun Move.
Option for the A step: A step straddle, lead off right for next move.
Option for the walk around: hop turn right.
Option for the L step: Step left, knee lift right, extend the left leg onto the bench, complete the L step with a knee lift.
Option for the diagonal walk around: hop turn left, over the top x 1 (also known as figure 8’s). To make this more difficult, hop turn straddle x 2.

Combination #2
“Throw Ya Self” - 64 count

Shuffle up the bench for 3 counts (left foot is free for next move), walk back behind the right end for 4 cts (7), mambo on/ off the bench (8 ct)
Split lunge x l/r lead facing the left wall in front x 2 (16 ct)
Step knee, left lead straddle down r/l x 1 (4), turnstep r lead x 1 (8 ct)
½ L step off of right end x 1, across the top x 2, walk around to the back left lead for 4 cts x 1 (16 ct)
Over the top x 2 (8 ct)
Turnstep x 2 (8 ct)

Repeat left lead.


Options For Combo #2:

Option for the “throw ya self move”, perform one knee lift walk back around the right end to the front.
Option for the split lunge: Make this move tapless by, stepping down left, right turning towards the right wall, lead left perform the move facing the right wall exiting the front left, right turning to the left wall. This move is like a revolving door with lunges.
Option for the straddle turnstep: On cts 1-2, step and hop up holding the right knee (power), straddle down r/l, shuffle turnstep right lead.
Options for across the top: Make this move a revolving door, without tapping down across the bench. 

Combination #3
"Mambo Straddle Cha, Cha, Cha" - 64 count

V step right x 2 (8 ct)
Hamstring curl l/r corner x 1 (8 ct)
L step x 1, facing the right wall, over the top x 2, left lead x 1 (16 ct)
Pivot n’ walkaway left lead x 1 (8 ct)
Mambo straddle cha, cha, cha left/right lead x 1 (8 ct)
Repeater x 2 r/l corners x 1 (16 ct)


Repeat left lead.


Options for Combo #3:

Option for the V step: Joggin V’s
Step up double jog right/left, single r/l exit r/l.
Option for over the top: Revolving door.
Option for the mambo straddle: Step r, straddle down l/r, step l, straddle down r/l.
Repeaters of any variation can be used.

Combination #4
"Awkward L" - 64 count

**Awkward L step, right lead x 1 (8 ct)
Walk around the bench for 8 cts, left lead x 1 (8 ct)
Tap n’ clap repeater in right corner, left lead, exit r/l face the left wall x 1 (8 ct)
A step, facing the left wall x 2 (8 ct)
T step off the right end, facing the left wall, right lead, exit front x 1 (8 ct)
Diagonal over tapless, left lead x 1, step left knee in the right corner, exit r/l face the left wall x 1 (8 ct)
Hamstring curl repeater left corner, exit l/r face the right wall x 1 (8 ct)
Split basic left x 1 (8 ct)


Repeat left lead.

What’s an Awkward L step?

Count 1: right foot placed on the bench, left foot on the floor facing the left wall, left foot slightly off the floor.
Count 2: left foot on the floor and moving down toward the left end, right foot slightly off the bench.
Count 3: Repeat count 1.
Count 4: Repeat count 2.
Count 5: step down with the right off the bench, past the left end.
Count 6: lift the left knee, clap and pivot towards the right wall.
Count 7: left foot comes to the floor.
Count 8: right foot placed next to the left. 

Options for Combo #4:

Option for the Awkward L: A basic L step.
Option for Tap n’ clap repeater: up lunge x 2 left, exit to the back r/l.
Option for the T step (right lead): step right, lift the left knee, exit l/r off of the right end facing the left wall, straddle the bench and march for 4 cts l/r/l/r. 
Option for the split basic: Perform a ½ basic with a ski:
Counts1-2: l/r on top of the bench.
Counts 3-5: Ski(quick switching of the legs/feet), you will end up with the right foot on the bench, left foot(ball) on the floor.
Count 6: lift the left knee.
Counts 7-8: l/r foot comes to the floor.

Do's & Don'ts For the Instructor -Provide a non-competitive atmosphere in your classes.  -Don't recommend advice to your students in which you do not hold proper certifications or degrees in. -Don't forget to smile. TIP: Mix up your abdominal exercises, by using different tempos. Include a wide variety of exercises that will constantly target the rectus abdominus in different ways, therefore targeting more muscle fibers. It’s endless!

Combination #5
"Funny Lift" - 64 count

**Funny lift, hamstrings x 1 (8 ct)
Step right, lift left knee in center of bench, V step left x 1 (8 ct)
L step x 1 r/l corners x 2 (16 ct)
Kick n’ lunge x 1 (16 ct) Facing the right wall, Up left, right, low kick side on the left, lunge r/l/r, exit left, right (use propulsion) off the front facing the left wall, (internal rotation), walk around to the back left lead for 4 cts.
Jack x 1, kick ball change left lead, pivot on/off the bench (8 ct)
Turnstep x 2 (8 ct)


Repeat left lead.

How would you teach the kick n’ lunge? 

Begin by lunging right lead for 4, exit front, over the top x 1. Continue to do this until you feel the class is comfortable with the pattern and add the up, up, low kick left. Teach the exit front after your class is comfortable with the entire move. The exit front will make the move tapless.


Options for Combo #5:

Option for the L step use Power L’s. Example given for right lead: Step right, exit off the left end (2), squat x 2, while keeping right foot on the bench (5) lift the left knee up (6), exit to the rear l/r (8).
Option for the jack, power squats x 2

Weaving!

Once you have completed teaching all combinations on the right and left leads, for a finale perform combo 1 on the right, combo 2 on the left, combo 3 on the right, combo 4 on the left, combo 5 on the right. This is referred to as weaving and can only be done with an uneven number of combinations, 3, 5, 7 etc.. This technique is usually done by instructors who have been teaching for awhile and can keep their routines clear and organized in their head. With breakdown, teaching final form right and left lead, then teaching the weaving technique, there is a lot of sorting that the instructor has to do and do this in a way where the class does not become confused. Begin with basic combinations and progress to more difficult.

5-64 count combinations may be quite a bit to teach in one class, so you may consider only 3 or 4 depending on your class. With breakdowns included, your class will get a great workout. 

TIP: Begin early in your teaching career, to watch your class for proper alignment and foot placement. Do they look comfortable? Any changes you see begin to correct your class. They too could be new.

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