I'm not good at being "in step" at the police academy and I'm always getting yelled at because of this.

Question

Can someone tell me how to stay "in step" with the whole class.

I sometimes look down at my fellow classmate feet to make sure I'm marching the exact same way as them, but I get in trouble because the instructor tell me to look straight ahead.

And sometime I fixed my marching steps by doing a "skip feet" to stay align with my classmate but I get quickly "out of step" within 5-7 seconds and keep on having to do skip feet thoughout the marching. You see none of my classmate have to "skip feet" that much, but I'm the only one that does it every 5-7 seconds during marching so that I stay in step with the whole class.

Can someone help me solve this problem I have.

Answer 1

Stop thinking. The only things you need to do are look forward, count (that is, keep in step), and keep in rank and file. That it. think of nothing else.

Answer 2

Usual issue is that your steps are too short. You need to develop 30 inch steps.

Try this. Take a long hall and put down strips of masking tape so that each strip is 30 inches apart. Start with both heels on the first strip. Think the command "Forward MARCH" on the march, move your LEFT foot forward so that your left heel lands on the next strip of tape, then the right foot so that it lands on the next strip .... repeat. Once you get all of your steps to be 30 inches, life is easier.

Make sure that you swing your arms as well. It helps with the rhythm. Arms to the front nine inches and to the back six inches (US Drill) or Horizontal to the front and halfway to the horizontal to the rear (Commonwealth Drill).

Answer 3

It sounds like you might have a coordination problem or a bit more. I think the question is are you cut out to be a cop. Marching might seem insignificant but it is part of the whole. time for soul searching

Answer 4

If you keep watching your other fellow classmates, you will goof up. stop talk to your instructor maybe he can give you some tips on how to start. good luck.

Answer 5

use your peripheral vision to monitor the one beside you and only that one person or the person in front of you...i tend to have to take smaller steps while in formation...good luck...and dont take any jive from mouthy ppl...they didnt think i was good enough to be an officer either but i showed them!

Answer 6

Drop out! Take upwelding... you can chew your gum while your on break

Answer 7

Practice, practice, practice. Also sounds like your gait is too long. Try shortening you steps. That should help...............

Answer 8

practice...and count to yourself instead of watching...put your foot down ahead of when you see theirs go down...then you might keep up....l-r-l-r-l-r-l-r thats it keep practicing....