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                                  RECAP

FIRST SEGMENT - JORDAN
Main Focuses:
 

The Gallop - Farmer Variation:
 

• Keep in mind: how you transition from one side to the other does not change, only the speed of your movement (unless you choose to do otherwise -- which is equally correct, but will naturally feel different. Get the base first).

• Sitting/Rocking within your pelvis - how do your shoulders, torso, neck and head respond? Don't be a pencil!

• When changing direction or turning, ensure your weight shifts (even slightly) over your leading leg. This weight shift will help the movement feel intuitive. 

• Commit to the direction you aim to go, whether the cardinal directions, traveling in a wavy line or moving spontaneously.
   

Gallop Rhythm:
 

• Single-single-gallop, single-single-gallop;
  single-single-lift-lift-lift-single-single-lift-lift-lift
  1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and; 5-and-6-and-sev-en-8-and

• Bonus: can you pick up the gallop tempo even faster?
  1-and-2-and-3-e-and-a-4-and-5-and-6-and-sev-en-and-uh-8
  Another way to see it is: the normal gallop has 3 individual steps, tapping after the 3rd;
  Following the farmer, the quicker version above will have 6 individual steps, tapping after the 6th.

• Pick up your feet and transfer your weight immediately when doing the gallop -- no hesitation!

 
 Ball-Heel Articulation:
 

• We have focused on the farmer while staying on the balls of our feet. This version is a bit simpler due to the weight transfer; however, is equally correct.

• Imagine the farmer's rhythm: instead of ball-ball, ball-ball; it will be ball-heel, ball-heel. If you were to listen to what it sounds like, your heel drop should have a deeper sound than the ball of your foot. which would technically be the tap.

• When the heel sound is deeper, that is an audible queue that your weight has properly shifted into your pelvis through to your heel. Try not to make the heel drop too heavy, though.

• The ball-heel version will encourage a natural rock with your pelvis and body as a whole. Keep your knees soft (bent).

 

Important Connection:
 

• Think of our sitting two step, where I use the example "Imagine you're waiting for someone who's 20 minutes late.." 
  This is the subdued version of the "ball-heel Farmer (not an official name). As you sit into your left hip/heel, the right hip/heel will rise, allowing for the tap of the ball of your right foot, and vice versa. When sitting on one side, the opposing knee should be soft, allowing greater emphasis through your hip/heel. If not, it will look rigid. Use this two-step version as a starting point, progressing into the new articulation of the Farmer. 
  
  We will touch on the ball-heel articulation at the start of our concluding session, before progressing into the rest of the session's plan. Keep in mind, this articulation crosses over into nearly every house step and adds a great amount of detail, but can be tricky to lock down. Keep working!

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SECOND SEGMENT - KYLE
Main Focuses:
 

Sidewalk

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• Keep the weight on the balls of your feet as you transition from side to side to the sit into the base of your foot as you kick your outside leg to the corner.

• Version 1: Kicking to your corners involves you sitting back with your hips and rocking your upper body forward.

• Version 2: You want to rock your hips forward and lean your upper body back as a counter balance to your extended leg. Still sitting in your supporting leg as you kick.

• While transitioning from side to side, be sure to include your hips and have the rotate towards the direction you are traveling to. They should swivel from side to side between 2 counts.

• Version 3: The skate variation now requires you to place your upper body over your supporting leg as you sit into position which will allow your extended leg more length as you swing it back.

• Remember as you skate each leg in a half circle from front to back that the tip of your foot should stay connected to the floor to maintain control and a smooth flow.

• If you choose to get even lower into the ground while reaching down with you arm, you now want to open up your hips and angle your body towards the direction that your leg is now sweeping. 

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Pow Wow

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• While executing the stop, remember to stay light and on the balls of your feet.

• On the 3rd step where you crossover, remember to sit into the position.

• Use the music to your advantage. While hearing the "Kick" beat will initiate the first footwork kick, to then connect with the Snare in your 3rd step. The steps in between are your transitional steps which will connect with the Hi-Hats in the music.

• Use your arms to maintain balance, control and to even give it more style.