Discover a super combo that has 8 moves. The challenge is that you have to match the moves with the number. Single, double, triple, quadruple, quintuple, sextuple, septuple, octuple. All 8 moves are taught in 3 rounds of descending repetitions. Game on!
Match the Number is a fun combo that I teach in my classes. It is simply another way of teaching add-on and pyramid choreography; however, I find that my students remember the moves better when they are associated with a number.
Teaching the first four moves is pretty simple as we are accustomed to single and double moves, as well as repeater moves of three and four. The challenge is with the last four numbers, five, six, seven and eight. The key for five and seven is to take advantage of a “bounce-center” which is considered a free move in this game, at least according to MY rules. Performing a move in 3 or “three and bounce center” and then adding two more moves equals five – a quintuple.
Aside from helping students remember the moves better, structuring combinations in this manner helps build an instructors skill level at matching the moves to the music phrasing. The 8-move super combo is first introduced for 30 or 45 seconds (2 or 3 phases of music) and then reduced to one phrase of music (15 seconds) and lastly the combination is taught for half a phrase (8 seconds) and repeated to accommodate right & left pairing. Reducing the moves to a half a phrase means that none of the moves can be greater than 16-counts of music. This is where an instructor has to utilize strategy to match the moves to the number.
Attendees of the International Aquatic Fitness Conference (IAFC) who attended the first finale class on Saturday morning got a taste of Match the Number. Presenters are often asked to perform a short segment at the end. Most just do a spontaneous, freestyle series of moves. Spontaneity is NOT my strong suit. Therefor I taught a full 8-minute round of Match the Number. Check out the entire routine I used in the video below.
Ready to create your own 8-move challenge?