A daily routine is needed to establish good technique and uniformity in the band.
Attention to detail and setting high standards of excellence are the keys to developing excellent marching technique .
1.
Daily Marching Aerobics a.
Company fronts on yard lines or in end zone (2 step spacing)—use Dr. Beat b.
MT 8 and then FM 8 to 5 full length of the field at MM = 120, Halt c.
Relax, Turn around, Attention d.
MT 8 and then FM 8 to 5 length of field at 130, Halt e.
Repeat at 140, 150, 160 & 170 (6 lengths of field total) f.
During season build up to higher tempos (130 to 180, 140 to 190, etc.) g.
Alternate Horns Up & Down h.
Also do some sets 6 to 5 at the slower tempos
2.
Parade Rest, Attention, Dress R & L a.
These are simple skills that establish the foundation for all other techniques. They can be mastered by anyone regardless of experience. b.
Do not continue until they are at the highest level possible.
3.
Balance/High Mark Time (optional) a.
Balance – Hold each count and ‘and’ b.
Slow Tempo (8 th
= 60)
4.
Mark Time & Freeze on 1 a.
See page 62 for details b.
Also freeze on 2, 3, and 4
5.
8’s & 8’s
- MT 8/FM 8/MT 8/FM 8 etc. to Halt a.
This is the basic foundation for great marching. Insist on good posture and foot technique. b.
Last four counts give verbal “READy – HALT” c.
Also do MT 8/FM 6 going 6 to 5 d.
Also do Backwards March 8 to 5 e.
Also do Halt 8/FM 8 (in the show this is more common than MT)
6.
8-7-6-5-4 - 10 yards each - 8 to 5, 7 to 5, 6 to 5, 5 to 5, 4 to 5 a.
Horns Down b.
Horns Up c.
Start the season with only 8-7-6 and then add on as skills develop

7.
Slide Exercise 1 a.
Preparatory Exercise with horns up i.
At a halt, turn upper body and instrument slowly (1-2-3-4) to right 90 o and hold (hips should be at a 45 o
angle), pause, stretch a little bit farther but don’t force, return to 90 o
, return front slowly (1-2-3-4) ii.
Repeat to the left b.
Slide Exercise 1 – Do above to the right & hold, then FM 8 to 32 counts and Halt. c.
Repeat exercise to the left
8.
Slide Exercise 2 (in motion) - Face end zone - Horns up - MT 8/FM 8 (horns move slowly front & right 5 6 7 lock on 8), /FM 8 (horns return 5 6 7 lock on 8)/Halt a.
Repeat exercise to the left
9.
Box to the Right – MT 8/FM 8/R Slide 8/BackM 8/L Slide 8/Halt a.
Horns remain the same direction b.
Horns Down c.
Horns Up d.
Also do Box to the Left and both in sequence
10.
Touch and Go - MT 8/FM 8/Touch and Go/BackM 8/Touch and Go/FM8/Halt a.
Horns Down b.
Horns Up c.
Horns Front
11.
Hip Shift - Face End Zone & Horns Front - MT 8/FM 8 (Hip shift on 8)/
Backwards March 8/Touch and Go on 8/FM 8 (Hip shift on 8)/
Backwards March 8/Halt
Optional Exercises
Use these for advanced techniques if used in the show.
1.
Floating Turns a.
Back to Front i.
Back step on 1 ii.
Turn on 2 to right (Foot & Shoulders 60
o
) iii.
Continue on 3 - Right Foot crosses over (Foot & Shoulders 120
o
) iv.
Regular step on 4 (180
o
), FM on 5 6 7 8, Halt b.
Front to Back i.
Forward on 1 ii.
Turn on 2 to right (Foot & Shoulders 60 o ) iii.
Continue on 3 - (Foot & Shoulders 120
o
) iv.
Regular step on 4 Right Foot crosses behind (180
o
),
Back march on 5 6 7 8, Halt
2.
Jazz Run a.
See 6. Above b.
See page 65 for details

SUMMARY
1.
Daily Marching Aerobics
2.
Parade Rest, Attention, Dress R & L
3.
Balance/High Mark Time (optional)
4.
Mark Time & Freeze on 1
5.
8’s & 8’s a.
Forward 8 to 5 b.
Forward 6 to 5 c.
Backwards 8 to 5
6.
8-7-6-(5- 4) - 10 yards each - 8 to 5, 7 to 5, 6 to 5, (5 to 5, 4 to 5) a.
Horns Down b.
Horns Up
7.
Slide Exercise 1 a.
Preparatory Exercise with horns up b.
Slide Exercise 1 – Do above to the right & hold, then FM 8 to 32 counts and Halt. c.
Repeat exercise to the left
8.
Slide Exercise 2 (in motion) a.
Exercise to the right b.
Repeat exercise to the left
9.
Box to the Right a.
Horns Down b.
Horns Up c.
Box to the Left d.
Both in sequence
10.
Touch and Go a.
Horns Down b.
Horns Up c.
Horns Front
11.
Hip Shift a.
Front to Back b.
Back to Front
Optional Exercises
Use these for advanced techniques if used in the show.
1.
Floating Turns c.
Back to Front d.
Front to Back
2.
Jazz Run

Level One :
Attention/Parade Rest/Ready Position
Right/Left Dress
Horns Up/Down
Turns - Right/Left/About
Mark Time
Forward March 8 to 5 (8 & 8 Exercise)
Forward March 16 to 5 (16 & 8 Exercise)
Level Two :
Slides (Horns Front)
Box Eight Exercise
Backwards March 8 to 5 (8 & 8 Exercise)
Backwards March 16 to 5 (16 & 8 Exercise)
Forward March 6 to 5
Level Three :
Touch & Go
Hip Shift
High Mark Time
Other Techniques called for in the Drill
Drill “Excerpts" from the Drill
Other Exercises:
Circle Rotate
Accordion (Expand & Contract spacing)
Stop Sign
8-7-6-5-4
Jazz Run
Diamond
Asterisk