The article “Top 5 Do’s and Don’ts for Visual Basics Block,” is geared towards visual instructors and suggests five things to accomplish and avoid during the basics block; each suggestion is followed by a detailed explanation. These “Do’s and Don’ts” are based on my experience with success and failure rates of various styles of basics, and are what I have found to work the best.

1. DO start the season by giving your students relatively simple exercises, DO NOT over-complicate the directions just for the sake of doing more.
    -Some directors make basics exercises too long and complicated, in an effort to “make sure the students are thinking and focused.” Consequently, the students may get all of the superfluous direction changes, but because they are thinking and focusing so much on the directions, visual technique will go out the window. The purpose of basics is to work on visual technique; always include an exercise in the block that will allow your students to reach exceptional performance qualities, no matter what their skill level. Something as simple as “forward 8, halt 8, repeat,” can be extremely beneficial and still have numerous performance aspects to work on. As the season progresses, certainly throw in more complicated exercises, but be sure to include a more simple one to allow your students to truly grasp the concept of outstanding performance qualities.

2. DO focus only on visual aspects, DO NOT play during basics rehearsal.
    -When in basics block, the sole purpose is to work on visual technique. I have worked with many directors that advocate playing simple note lengths or scales during basics block to get the students used to marching and playing; this creates numerous problems for the members. Especially for more inexperienced students, or in the beginning of the season, marching is an entirely new aspect, much less marching and playing simultaneously. In addition, students tend to focus too much on playing and are not fully attentive to their upper and lower body technique. I prefer to have students breath to specified counts during exercises, for example, “in for 4 counts, out for 4 counts, repeat through exercise.” This allows students to maintain a relaxed heart rate and attain greater stamina. There are plenty of other opportunities to work on marching and playing; during basics block, however, when the focus is meant to be solely on visual aspects, the students should only focus on upper and lower body technique. Marching and playing time can always be added into rehearsal, putting equal emphasis to both aspects.

3. DO always give the directions before the exercise, DO NOT call out direction changes in the middle of the repetition for students to respond to.
    -There are many instructors that call out commands during exercises, allowing only 1 count for students to respond; for example, “(while clapping in steady tempo) forward, march, (1,2,3,4), backward, march (8,1).” The drum major or visual instructor shouts, “backward, march,” during counts 5, 6 and 7, leaving only count 8 to comprehend the direction. As written in #1 of this article, the goal is to keep students focused. In most situations, this method of instruction causes direction change technique to be extremely poor, as the students are concentrating more on which way to go so they don’t bump into the person next to them, rather than on good direction changes. Regardless of the exercise, directions should be clear and concise, and always given before the repetition begins. For example, “the exercise is forward 8, left 8, forward 8, right 8, repeat. All slides are forward slides, (repeat if necessary).” This provides students with the opportunity to soak in the information and directions given, allowing them to put more mental energy into proper execution of technique, rather than worrying for the entire exercise which way to go next.

4. DO always provide both correct and incorrect demonstration of technique, DO NOT simply tell students what is wrong or right about their execution without providing a visual example.
    -Especially for new members, visual learning is an absolute necessity in this activity. During basics, it is important for students to see both correct and incorrect demonstrations of the desired technique in order to better comprehend what exactly is desired of them. Most importantly, make the students become the instructors; ask them questions that cause them to think about their technique. For example, “ok folks, I see some of us doing this as we march backwards. (March backwards while leaning back for 16 steps). Now, what did everyone see there? What did I do as I moved backwards? (Students will say, “you leaned back.” If they don’t, guide them to the answer. “What was my upper body doing?)” Additionally, “Here’s what I need to see all of us doing together as we forward march. (Execute correct forward marching technique for 16 steps.) What did everyone see there? What was my upper and lower body doing? (Students will respond, “you were rolling your feet, your back was straight,” etc.) Another great idea is to bring out various students in the group who will provide good examples of correct marching technique. Have them perform the exercise for their peers, with comments from the students afterwards on what they observed. By providing students with correct visual demonstrations and making them think and analyze what they saw, they will attain a better understanding of the desired visual technique.

5. DO give time during the rehearsal block for students to drink and stretch, DO NOT give the students too much physical demand without allowing their bodies to maintain proper physical conditioning.
    -We have all been culprits of being so dedicated to the success of our students and providing them with quality information that we lose track of time and forget to give them water and stretch breaks. Especially in hotter weather, and for students are not used to strenuous physical activity, proper hydration and stretching is paramount. Students should receive at least one water and stretch break per hour. If the temperature is over 80 degrees, their breaks should be roughly every 45 minutes. At 90 degrees and above, no longer than 30 minutes between water breaks, (even if they are quick.) Per day, the recommended amount of water to be consumed is 64 ounces, or 8 glasses. Most people do not drink that much water in the off season, so they will certainly not be inclined to hydrate enough during rehearsal unless they are encouraged to do so. Once a student begins to feel the symptoms of dehydration, it is too late and the student is already dehydrated. I always assign section leaders to double check that each member drinks water during water breaks and gets some shade in extremely hot weather. Stretching, in addition, is key for proper body maintenance. Marching requires students to use main and supporting muscles most of them have never used before; it is important to keep these muscles loose and flexible during periods of physical activity in order to avoid pain and possible injury.