Running before practice plays a key role in ensuring that any training performed is productive towards the ultimate end of drill team competition. A block run, wherein the team runs in formation and in cadence, is designed to do a few things:
- Elevate the heart rate to simulate the “flight, flight, or freeze” of drill competition
- Help improve dress, cover, interval, and distance in a situation slightly more challenging than traditional marching
- Create situational awareness of changing factors in a situation slightly more challenging than traditional marching
- Improve the execution of Double Time, MARCH (and related commands)
- Incidentally improve cardiovascular health and endurance
Running before practice is NOT designed to be:
- Physical training
- A motivational tool
- Punishment
It should be accomplished with the following criteria:
- Your formation should be organized either in a competition block (i.e. your Regulation formation) OR with the shortest cadets and weakest runners towards the front of the formation nearest the squad leaders
- The running pace should be light to moderate
- The distance should be just enough to elevate the heart rate moderately (this distance should lengthen over the course of your season)
- Your team should attempt to remain in step and in cadence throughout the run WITHOUT verbal commands, cadence, or jodies
- Dress, cover, interval, and distance should be maintained throughout WITHOUT verbal commands or cues
Done properly and consistently, not only will running before a practice help you simulate performance conditions (you’ll never compete with a resting heart rate ever), it will also help build muscle memory. When you are under duress, the body will default to the highest level of previous preparation. Therefore, a short run will help determine exactly what execution of movements would be like in a competition scenario. This makes it a useful tool for use just before reviewing at each practice!