NAMMB Video

Collapsed Formation

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:12:37 -0500

This is an interesting mirrored formation that collapses to a block during the fanfare.

Step Twos to Form a Pinwheel

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:28:31 -0600

This is very creative use of a step-two pattern to form the illusion of a pinwheel.

Obliques to Follow the Leader Boxes

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:26:16 -0600

This band uses obliques to set up the band to do follow the leader boxes in a vertical column.

Block with Open Center

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:23:23 -0600

This band forms a block with an open center. This allows for some unique visual effects.

Flanking Triangles

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:00:37 -0600

These triangles are simply doing flanking moves to rotate around and re-form the block. It requires a perfect 8X8 block to work with the phrases of a march.

Star-burst with Counter Marches

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:36:59 -0600

This is a traditional star-burst followed by counter marches to re-form the block.

Vertical Step Two

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:48:45 -0600

This is similar to a standard step two drill except the movement is vertical on the field rather that horizontal. This move is more difficult because marchers cannot guide off of the yard lines for their “to the rear”s.

Counter March to Reverse Illinois

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:09:40 -0600

In this move, the block splits in half by doing right crossovers and left flanks offset by one step. Then counter marches are done by files followed by right crossovers or left flanks to reform the block into company fronts.

Obliques to Boxes

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:02:09 -0600

This band goes from obliques into follow the leader boxes and then unravels back into block band.

Rank Drifts

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:18:29 -0600

This move is often referred to as ranks drifts. Ranks in the block countermarch on different yard lines to separate and then reform the block.

Ranks Follow Around

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:08:46 -0600

In this drill, the ranks which are six steps apart split in the middle, flank to the right or left and follow the leader to the other side of the block to rejoin.

Open Ranks to Block

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:43:38 -0600

This is one way to get your open ranks back into block with an open side to side interval. The ranks are starting out at a four step interval front to back and a two step interval side to side. Using and X/O pattern, one group flanks either right or left for two steps and falls in behind the other group. This can be done one rank at a time as this band does or it can be done all at once. This will leave your ranks at a two step interval front to back and a four step interval side to side.

Triangle to Chevrons

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:38:36 -0600

This time the band does flip flop “To the Rears” from a triangle but in a different order to form different sized chevrons.

Triangle to Diamonds

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:35:50 -0600

The band performs flip flop “To the Rears” from a triangle to form different sized diamonds.

Telescoping Triangles

Wed, 6 Dec 2006 21:48:44 -0600

When some of the standard maneuvers are done from a triangle, the effect is very interesting. This filled in triangle becomes three different sized outlined triangles by using countermarches in a similar fashion to a telescope move.

Chevron to Obliques

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 08:06:40 -0600

This is another way to do obliques with your band. While in a chevron, each outside file obliques to the outside at different yard-lines. Each line goes straight down the field for five yards and then obliques back to the middle to reform the block.

Flip Flop “To The Rears”

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 15:20:01 -0600

This band closes down their formation using flip flop to the rears. People turning on an even numbered count would turn to their left with their right foot in front. People turning on an odd numbered count would turn to their right with their left foot in front.

Texas Turn

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 19:03:10 -0600

This is a traditional “Texas Turn” followed by a follow the leader countermarch. This maneuver will turn the band 90 degrees without changing the order of the members. It is known as an inside out, upside down column turn moving the company fronts from going across field to down field or vice-versa.

Telescope to Boxes

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 18:58:40 -0600

This is an interesting drill where the band first does a version of a telescope to set up the maneuver. Then the files follow the leader to form boxes using left flanks and crossovers. To finish, the boxes unravel and reform the block.

Sliding Obliques

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:53:22 -0600

This drill starts with sliding obliques where each rank marches either 45 degrees to the right or 45 degrees to the left. Then the band uses half time marching to get into diagonals. The band finishes with to the rears to reform the block.

Half-Time Marching

Wed, 1 Nov 2006 19:46:50 -0600

Half-time marching is not what you do in the middle of the football game. It is when the band (or part of the band) marches half the tempo of the music. This is often referred to as the “Queen Ann” step. Some bands do this with a “kick,step,kick,step” pattern. Other bands keep the marching smooth the whole time. When writing this into your drill, you must remember that the band will only move half the distance in the same number of beats.

Mini Gate Swings

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:47:31 -0500

This maneuver uses four gate swings of four people across for each rank. Each rank begins their gate swing four counts after the last rank. Then each rank catches up to the rank in front of them after they have finished their gate swing. It creates an effect that makes the band look almost like it is rolling down field.

Staggered Counter March

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:49:33 -0500

The band can be put into open ranks by counter marching while delaying each rank by two counts. This is a good way to set up a band for a step two drill or a fast break.

Another Column

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:47:49 -0500

Here is another type of column. When the band is in a parallelogram, files do a follow the leader turn that is delayed every two counts.

Reverse Illinois Entry

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:11:31 -0500

This is a variation of a reverse Illinois entry. This is a wonderful way to go to company fronts. It creates a huge impact.

Double Columns

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:09:20 -0500

This maneuver combines double columns with an Illinois entry and then goes into obliques. It is almost entirely a follow the leader drill. This is a very complex and intricate way to change the block.

Column

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:07:06 -0500

A column starts and ends with a wedge that turns in unison but everyone else does a follow the leader.

Rolling Parallelograms

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:57:47 -0500

This drill is done by a “step twos” and “to the rears”. The band must first be put into diagonals and into an AB sequence. After one group does a counter march, the people on the ends of the diagonals will do a “to the rear” immediately and each person two counts after that.

File Peel Off

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:55:22 -0500

A file peel off works like a column but instead of follow the leader, the entire file acts in unison. The sequence delays every two steps same as a column.

Expanding Boxes

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:50:19 -0500

In this drill boxes open and close out of straight lines. This would be considered an advanced drill by most people. It combines pinwheels with oblique marching.

Obliques

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:46:31 -0500

When marching in obliques, members turn at a 45 degree angle and take eight steps go five yards. This will put the marcher between yard lines on the fourth step. The stride is slightly longer than the standard 30” stride.

Follow the Leader Counter March

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:44:09 -0500

This is one of the most fundamental military maneuvers. This move turns the block around to go the opposite direction by moving ranks one step up on the grid by a counter march. Each rank then follows and the band passes through itself.

Telescope

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:42:03 -0500

A “telescope” is done by delayed follow-the-leader counter marching working from the center to the perimeter. This is not difficult but can look very interesting.

Pinwheel

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:04:03 -0500

Pinwheels are lines that revolve on a center axis unlike gate swings that have a stationary end. They can be very impressive because they are so difficult. Students must use an adjusted step size in order to keep the alignment.

Staggered “To The Rears”

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:00:55 -0500

Staggered “to the rears” is a great way to show off how much “snap” the band has. They can be used to form “W”s or “V”s. If these are done right, they are very impressive.

Moving Diamonds

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 20:57:13 -0500

Moving diamonds are done by step twos from stationary points that are mirrored. Sometimes this drill is known as a “Step Two” drill. It can range from simple to very complex. Most often, this drill is done during the trio of a march.

Fast Break

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 20:54:56 -0500

Audiences always love a “fast break”. The band is assigned into an “ABC” sequence by file. One group goes forward, one group does a dead step, and one group goes backwards. This forms nice long diagonals and makes the band instantly look bigger. This always gets a reaction from the crowd.

Squirrel Cages

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:30:02 -0500

“Squirrel Cages” create an interesting effect by having continuous motion without moving the block. This is accomplished by marching continuous follow the leader counter marches on both ends of the block.

Star Burst

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:16:06 -0500

A star burst is based on file movements into six, eight, ten, or twelve points. Bands often freeze in the star burst to create great audience appeal.

Inverted Column

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:14:22 -0500

An inverted Column will bring a band to the front facing the audience. This is a great way to set up a band for a fanfare at the end of a show.

Waterfall

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:12:24 -0500

A waterfall starts like a column, but the lead person in each file delays their turn by six steps. This still results in a column, but in a more “open” sequence.

X/O Drill

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:03:22 -0500

X / O Drill Looks like a "Minstrel Turn" but the checkerboard setup allows plenty of room for pass through. Half the band executes "to the rear” and the other half a left flank or right wrap. Ultimately an X / O drill moves the band in all four directions and is sometimes called "To the Winds" or “Block Buster”.