1. 1. Dance is the art of movement of the body, usually rhythmically and to music, using prescribed or improvised steps andgestures. "A dance" is any one prescribed sequence of such movements, or the music to which it is performed, or an event at which it takes place.[1] Dance may also be regarded as a form of nonverbal communication recognisable in other animals; in bee dances and behaviour patterns such as mating dances. Dance can be categorized and described in various ways. It may be analysed purely by its choreography, its repertoire of movements, or it may be classified according to its time or place of origin. Yet study reveals many generic similarities in many different times and places. An important distinction is to be drawn between theatrical and participatory dance.[2] Nevertheless, these two categories are not completely separate. Each may borrow from the other. Social dancers may become professional or competitive dancers, may be watched by millions. Both may also have special functions; they may be ceremonial dances performed only at one time of year, they may be intended as an erotic dance, a war dance or a sacred or liturgical dance. Such dances allow both emotional expression and invocation. Martial arts kata are often compared to dances, and sports such as gymnastics, figure skating and synchronized swimming are generally thought to incorporate dance. What is Dance? Dance is the art form in which human movement becomes the medium for sensing, understanding, and communicating ideas, feelings, and experiences. Dance provides a way of learningone that develops communication abilities, problem solving techniques, and creative and critical thinking skills along with kinesthetic abilities. At its core, the goal of dance education is to engage students in artistic experiences through the processes of creation, performance and response. The Elements of Dance Dance has its own content, vocabulary, skills, and techniques, which must be understood and applied to be proficient in the art. The elements of dance are the foundational concepts and vocabulary for developing movement skills as well as understanding dance as an art form. All these elements are simultaneously present in a dance or even in a short movement phrase. Body Action Space Time
2. 2. Energy The acronym BASTE helps educators and students recall these elements of dance. Use the links above and in the right sidebar to find out more about each element and see video clip examples from outstanding Minnesota dancers and choreographers. The 6 Elements of Dance Dancing is made up of 6 elements of dance. Whether you are a world class competitor or an absolute beginner you will ultimately need all six elements. As a beginner dancer it is typical to learn only the first 3 initially. Learning more than the first 3 in your first 10 lessons would be confusing. Conquering a level of comfort and muscle memory of the first 3 elements is ideal before adding the other 3 elements. 1- Step Pattern The step pattern is the combination of steps put together to create mini sequences. These sequences can then be linked to create routines or variations. 2- Footwork Footwork is the action in which we use the foot to create the technical element of the dance. For example heel, toe actions commonly used in the smooth and standard dances to create rise and fall. Ball, flat footwork commonly used in the rhythm and Latin dances. 3- Timing Timing is the beats of the music we move our feet to. For example a box step can be danced in waltz to a 1, 2, 3, timing. This is the feet being placed on the floor to those specific beats. A box step can also be danced in rumba but with a slow, quick quick timing, making the 2 dances very different in appearance. All dances have their own unique timing. 4- Lead and Follow Lead is what the gentleman is doing to maneuver the lady around the floor and through changes of direction within step patterns. Follow is the lady reacting to the mans lead. The lead and follow element is paramount to 2 people ultimately moving as a 1 in harmony. 5- Style Style is the element that is added to create the character of each individual dance. This can be done through hip action, arm style, body position, movement across the floor. It can be grace and elegance common for waltz, the staccato action common for Tango or even the sexy hip action used in most Latin dances. Although style is the icing on the cake to create the Look it is achieved by the technical elements in 1-4. 6- Continuity Continuity is the ability to maintain the consistency of the dance. Whether it be to link the step patterns together with ease or maintain the timing of the dance throughout the music or even be consistent with the correct footwork we all aim to achieve that perfect dance performance. A perfect dance performance is ultimately unrealistic but to become as consistent as possible is definitely a good feeling and will build confidence in your dancing
3. 3. Basic Cheerleading Motions There are a few motions that cheerleaders learn and use right from the beginning. Even when you advance to higher levels in your cheer career, you will still use these basic motions over and over again. Ready Position This is a basic starting position for almost every routine. Feet are shoulder width apart and both hands are in fists resting just where the hips begin. Elbows should be straight out to the sides and not pointed to the front. Hand Clasp Although it may appear that a cheerleader is clapping, more than likely she is clasping her hands together. This creates a sharp look to the routine and is more dramatic when the cheerleader is trying to get the audience to clap with her. T Motion Arms are straight out to the sides at shoulder height and hands should be turned so that the thumbs face forward and the pinky fingers face to the back. Hands are in tight fists. Feet are typically together, but this can vary by routine. Broken T To create a broken T motion, raise both arms so that your fists rest on your chest at shoulder height. The thumb should be to the back, closest to your body and the pinky finger toward the front, facing out. Be careful to keep your elbows raised and not drop them. Keep your fists close to your body for a tight, sharp movement. Intermediate Motions for Cheerleaders Touchdown
4. 4. To perform a touchdown motion, straighten your arms and bring them up on either side of your ears. Hands are in a fist with the pinky finger forward. Feet are together. There is also a motion called the low touchdown. To perform a low touchdown, straighten your arms and bring them straight down so they are on either side of the thighs. The thumbs point forward in the low touchdown. V Motion The V motion can be done as a high V or low V. Start with legs shoulder width apart. To complete a high V motion, the arms are straight up but out from the head by about 45 degrees. Make the arms about the same width apart as the legs and you'll be very close to a perfect high V. Thumbs face forward. To do a low V, reverse the motion and bring arms out about 45 degrees from the legs. Right and Left Punch This move may seem simple, but the alternating motion of one hand on the hip and the other hand punching up can be confusing for very young or new cheerleaders. However, if you stick with cheerleading, you will learn this motion fairly early on in your cheer career. To perform a right punch, as shown above, place your left hand on your hip with your elbow straight out to your side. The right arm should be straight up beside your ear. To perform a left punch, reverse the motion and put your right hand on your hip and your left arm straight up in the air. Advanced Moves L Motion Imagine that your arms are creating a straight letter "L" and you should be able to complete this cheer motion. Although the cheerleader above has the right idea with her right arm straight to the side and her left arm up, she needs to move her arms into better position to be an advanced cheerleader. To perform a right L, place your right arm straight out to the side at shoulder height (the cheerleader above needs to raise her arm a bit). The thumb should face forward. The left arm is straight up next to the ear (the
5. 5. cheerleader above needs to straighten her left arm and bring it closer to her head). To perform a left L, simply reverse the motions and put the left arm out straight to the side and the right arm straight up next to your head. Right and Left K The K is an advanced cheerleading motion that takes a lot of practice and coordination to perform correctly, especially in the middle of a routine when you are trying to remember multiple moves. To perform a right K, the right leg is to the side in a partial lunge and the left leg faces forward with your toes pointed to the front as well. The right arm goes straight up and into a 45 degree position away from the head. Remember, if your feet are shoulder width apart, then your arm will match the width about where the outside of your right foot is. The left arm is lowered and comes across your chest and to the right side. To perform a left K, place the left arm up and the right arm across the body.