Instructions
The ‘side-step’ is a rhythmical lateral movement, transferring weight from one foot to the other. Side-stepping is fast action covering the ground as quickly as possible.
- Start in the ‘Ready Position’ slightly on balls of feet
- Move to the right by stepping to the right with right foot
- Take weight onto right foot
- Close left foot towards the right
- As feet close together lift right foot to start next step
- Keep hips facing forwards
- Knees slightly bent throughout the action, low centre of gravity
- Small fast steps
- Head still on looking forwards
- Repeat moving to the left
Safety
Ensure…
- the area is free from objects
- the surface is not slippery
Opportunity to develop
- Co-ordination
- Agility
- Motor Skills
- Accuracy
If you see
| Observation | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Not able to maintain step pattern for more than two or three cycles | Difficulty co-ordinating arms and legs | Slow action down and ask child to say step together, step together out loud |
| Action appears disjointed | Initially movement will appear segmented as the child attempts to think how to join the step together phases | Think of it as a slide, slide action |
| Child achieves considerable height during action | Bending knees and using arms to generate upward momentum instead of sideway, taking too big a step to the side | Tell the child to keep as low as they can, sink their hips down throughout the movement |
Can you see?
- the child showing a rhythmical, continuous action?
- the child moving on the balls of their feet?
- the child keeping their hips facing forwards?
- the child keeping knees bent throughout the action?
- the child taking small steps to the side?
- the child’s head stable and their eyes focused in front?
-
Mostly No
- Walk the step through
- Stand behind a partner and copy their actions
- Step close feet together with the incoming foot almost moving the other foot out of the way
-
Yes and No
- Hold hands with partner, try to keep in the same rhythm as one another
- ‘Side-step’ along a narrow path
-
Mostly Yes
- Work with partner, trying to keep within arm’s reach, partner tries to get away, both ‘Side-step’
- ‘Side-step’ through a cone slalom
- ‘Side-step’ in different directions, pathways and speeds
-
Challenge
- ‘Side-step’ in different directions and at different speeds, then in response to a range of cues
- ‘Side-step’ to music / regular beat
- ‘Side-step’ following a figure of 8, W, M, square, slalom pathway
- Combine ‘Side-step’, ‘Leaping’, ‘Galloping’ and ‘Skipping’ in response to a range of cues, using different directions, pathways and speeds