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Three learners in plain athletic clothes practise the same upright step on a gym floor while an instructor counts nearby

Sports hobbies

Exhibition drill: learn an unarmed team phrase

Cost to start
US$0–50 practice allowance

With existing clothes and team coach/space; confirm local fees

Difficulty
Beginner

Start with slow counts, simple steps and coach feedback

First result
45–60 minutes

A coached 16-count phrase repeated with teammates

Join a supervised unarmed exhibition team practice, rehearse a short counted phrase with partners, and repeat it after a timing or spacing correction.

What you need to know

  1. A confirmed beginner practice

    Ask an existing school or cadet team whether you are eligible to try its unarmed exhibition practice, what permission is needed and what it costs.

  2. An instructor and practice partners

    Arrange an experienced unarmed exhibition coach and at least two partners who can follow one spoken count together.

  3. Clothes and secure shoes

    Wear comfortable clothing allowed by the team and closed-toe athletic shoes that stay on your feet; ask about dress rules before buying anything.

  4. A clear practice space

    Use a permitted, dry, level area with room to move without touching a partner. Bring water and paper for the count sheet.

Unarmed exhibition drill is a choreographed performance using coordinated steps and arm movements. For your first supervised practice, try a short 16-count phrase with at least two partners.

Arrange a coached place

Central High School’s NJROTC page shows one US school route. Ask your own programme about eligibility, beginner access, permission and fees. School teams are not general public drop-in classes. If that route is unavailable, confirm an experienced unarmed exhibition instructor and partners before arranging a session.

The US$0–50 allowance assumes clothes you own and a team-provided coach and space. It excludes uniforms, membership and travel. The optional specialist curriculum is paid, with selected free previews.

Build and repeat 16 counts

Let the coach check the floor and lead a warm-up. Leave room for each person’s steps and arm movements. Ask the coach to choose two simple arm positions and a small upright step pattern. Agree on the starting posture, first moving foot and shared finish. Leave props, jumps, knee drops, forceful stomps and fast turns out of this practice.

Write counts 1–16 on paper. Note each movement or hold beside its count. Learn four counts at a time, practising arms and feet separately if needed. Join the sections while one person counts aloud at an even pace. Everyone starts from the same cue and finishes on the same count.

Perform the whole phrase together. Pause for the coach to point out one timing or spacing mismatch, then repeat it with that correction. If the group rushes, slow the count; if spacing closes, shorten the steps and reset. Stop for pain or unstable footing and tell the coach. Finish by noting which counts need another rehearsal.

The 2026 Navy Nationals scorecard shows alignment and precision criteria for one US event. Its team-size, uniform and timing rules apply to that competition. Next practice, repeat the troublesome counts before extending the phrase.

Unarmed team practice references

Beginner Sports Exhibition Drill