The key to a successful practice is to begin with a solid PROCESS. Today, we’ll discuss the process of working through exhibition drill. No matter what your goal, a basic exhibition drill practice will follow the same basic structure to maximize efficiency! The process itself is very simple so we will outline it and then break it down piece-by-piece!
- Dynamic Physical Warm-Up
- Drill Warm-Up
- Skill(s) Isolation
- Skill(s) in Context
- Skill(s) Application
- Static Cool-Down
So let’s take a look at each step!
Dynamic Physical Warm-Up
Though it’s common knowledge in most sports/physical activities, a traditional static stretch (i.e. holding a position to stretch a muscle group) is NOT a healthy way to begin a practice. Not only does this strain your muscles, it also doesn’t adequately prepare your body for the constant motion associated with drill. So rather than normal stretches, begin by engaging your muscle groups in dynamic warm-ups. Here is a video resource on this topic showing some examples of dynamic stretches:
Drill Warm-Up
The purpose of the drill warm-up is three-fold:
- Break Down of Movements
- Individual Physical & Mental Warm-Up
- Team Synchronization
To warm up quickly, simply choose one of the basic manuals, spins, or sequences in your routine. Start by moving count-by-count with a focus on intensity of movement and precision in each count. Not only are you taking it slowly, you’re building your eye and feel for precision. Check yourself at each position to make sure it is correct. Then, move through the manual, spin, or sequence at a slow cadence focusing on that same count-by-count precision. Next, move through the manual, spin, or sequence at a normal cadence focusing on synchronization with your teammates.
At this point, it’s important to give your team a short span of time (30-45 seconds) of time to warm up individually. This part of the warm-up should be whatever is required of the individual to get comfortable and loose. This could mean working through additional sequences, additional dynamic stretching, or even quiet visualization. This part of the process is as much about the mental as the physical and is designed to focus the individual on their drill.
Lastly, work through the manuals, spins, or sequences again focusing on precision of timing from team member to team member. Here, you should make sure each cadet is approaching the motion in the same manner. For example, if cadets are clapping the rifles with the right hand at Port Arms, ensuring that each cadet is fully extending his or her arm will assist in the timing of the movement.
All the concepts from the warm-up will translate into the practice of actual sequences in your routine!
Skill(s) Isolation
In this portion of practice, you’ll identify an individual sequence in your routine that might need some work. In a process similar to warm-up, work together to ensure that the timing and technique of each cadet is uniform count-by-count in the sequence. If there are more difficult skills in the sequence, take time to break them down and assist all in understanding the proper technique and execution of those movements.
This portion of practice should involve multiple repetitions of the sequence in question with feedback – both positive and negative – being provided with each rep.
Skill(s) in Context
Every exhibition drill sequence is set up from the sequence immediately before it and has a direct impact on the sequence directly after it. Make sure that you aren’t only focusing on the sequence itself but also transitioning INTO and OUT of that sequence for smooth flow in the routine. This helps your team understand how the sequence itself will feel compared to the sequences before and after it. Multiple repetitions of this larger chunk of drill with feedback throughout will make this portion of practice highly productive.
Skill(s) Application
A full run-through. This is where many teams START practice but a good full run-through can be much more. After working the sequence(s) in isolation and putting them in context with the sequences before and after, the culminating step is making sure that work “sticks” in a full routine run-through. In this run-through, bearing is KEY. Treat this run-through like a competition with no breaks in bearing, no corrections from within the formation, etc. The instructor/coach/cadet commander should observe the team performing to the best of their ability and provide feedback on what “stuck” from practice and what might still need additional work in the future. Most importantly, you’re looking for evidence that the team is applying the work done in the previous steps. Do you see them isolating and snapping the counts you worked on earlier? If so, great! You made progress. If not, perhaps more time is needed next practice! These run-throughs are all about applying the hard work of each practice!
Static Cool-Down
While static stretching is not encouraged BEFORE practice, it can be used after a practice to cool down from the extreme engagement of exhibition drill. Make sure not just to fall out and dismiss practice; cool down and keep the muscles fresh for your next practice!
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