Kick

Brief history

Popularized by the Radio City Rockettes (founded 1925). Adopted by Texas drill teams in the mid-20th century, where it became central to high school dance team competition.

Key technique

• High kicks (often head-high or higher)
• Precision uniformity (every kick must match)
• Connected formations (kick lines literally connected at the arms/shoulders)
• Specific kicks: high kicks, fan kicks, cross-over kicks, hitch kicks, sequential kicks
• Supporting leg strength
• Hip mobility

Performance characteristics

Synchronized, precise, often hypnotic in its uniformity. Most impactful as group/line work, not solo.

How it's judged

Kick is a dance-team category (NDA, UDA, drill-team circuits) rather than a soloist genre, so it is scored on uniformity above all — judges look for matched height, identical timing, level lines, and clean technique across the whole line, alongside difficulty and showmanship. Entries earn an adjudication tier plus an Overall placement within their division and size bracket. A single dancer off-tempo or below height pulls the whole score down.

Who it's for

Strong, flexible team dancers who thrive on precision and discipline rather than the spotlight. Kick is central to high school and collegiate drill teams — especially in Texas — and a recognized path toward the Rockettes, collegiate dance teams, and pro-sports dance lines.

Career paths

• High school and collegiate drill / dance team
• The Radio City Rockettes
• Pro sports dance teams
• Drill team coaching and choreography

Famous

The Radio City Rockettes. Texas drill teams (Kilgore College Rangerettes, Tyler Junior College Apache Belles).

Common misconceptions

• "Kick is just lifting your leg" — false; proper kick technique requires significant supporting leg strength, hip mobility, and core control
• "Kick is easy because everyone does the same thing" — false; flawless synchronization across a long line is one of the hardest things to achieve in dance