Ashtree Designs, May 4, 2023
-snip-
What I refer to as the "folded leg freeze" occurs at .051-1.01 in this video.
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Edited by Azizi Powell
This post presents one video example each of "leg freezes" that are done during stepping performances by the four historically Black Greek letter sororities that are members of the Pan-Hellenic Council (colloquially referred to as "the Divine Nine").
My editorial notes about this custom are included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/03/leg-freezes-that-are-part-of.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents examples of "leg freezes" that are done during stepping performances by the five historically Black Greek letter fraternities that are members of the Pan-Hellenic Council (colloquially referred to as "the Divine Nine").
My editorial notes about this custom are included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/03/leg-freezes-that-are-part-of.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents examples of "leg freezes" that are done during stepping performances by the five historically Black Greek letter fraternities that are members of the Pan-Hellenic Council (colloquially referred to as "the Divine Nine").
My editorial notes about this custom are included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of the video on YouTube.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of the video on YouTube.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of the video on YouTube.
****
LEG FREEZES IN HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATONS' STEPPING ROUTINES
This pancocojams series helps to document the changes that have occurred and continue to occur in historically Black Greek letter organizations' stepping performances.
For the folkloric record, please share additions and/or corrections to this editorial note and your comments in the discussion section of this pancocojams. Thanks!
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DISCLAIMER
The YouTube videos that are showcased in this post are some of the examples of "leg freeze positions" that I came across in my brief search for those types of stepping videos on YouTube.
Showcasing these videos in this post isn't meant to imply that these are the only examples from those organizations on YouTube or that the videos that are showcased in this pancocojams series are the best examples to represent this custom from those specific organizations.
Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of the video on YouTube.
****
LEG FREEZES IN HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATONS' STEPPING ROUTINES
This pancocojams series helps to document the changes that have occurred and continue to occur in historically Black Greek letter organizations' stepping performances.
I became interested in the custom of including what I refer to as "leg freezes" that are part of historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO) stepping performances when I happened across the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. video that given on the top of the pancocojams post that is given as Part I of this two part series.
By "leg freezes" I mean part of a stepping routine that occurs when a person or people freeze/s in place after making a particular foot or leg motion. This pancocojams series focuses on three types of leg (or foot) freezes, Here are my names for those types of freezes which I've listed in what I guess are the earliest created type to the latest created type:
1. "foot lift freeze freeze"- This occurs when steppers raise their left foot slightly above the floor/ground and briefly freezes (maintains) that position.
2. "raised knee bend freeze" - when steppers raise their left leg with their knee bent in preparation of performing a step, but freeze their leg in that position for a brief time.
3. "folded leg freeze" - when steppers stand on their right leg and crouch to a seated like position with their left leg folded over their right leg.
This position last a bit longer than the other two freeze positions that I have described. Frequently during that folded leg freeze position, a step team member or another member of that Black Greek letter organization is usually heard shouting "Hold It! Hold It!". Those words are a command to keep that position as long as it is designated to last in that step routine.
By "leg freezes" I mean part of a stepping routine that occurs when a person or people freeze/s in place after making a particular foot or leg motion. This pancocojams series focuses on three types of leg (or foot) freezes, Here are my names for those types of freezes which I've listed in what I guess are the earliest created type to the latest created type:
1. "foot lift freeze freeze"- This occurs when steppers raise their left foot slightly above the floor/ground and briefly freezes (maintains) that position.
2. "raised knee bend freeze" - when steppers raise their left leg with their knee bent in preparation of performing a step, but freeze their leg in that position for a brief time.
3. "folded leg freeze" - when steppers stand on their right leg and crouch to a seated like position with their left leg folded over their right leg.
This position last a bit longer than the other two freeze positions that I have described. Frequently during that folded leg freeze position, a step team member or another member of that Black Greek letter organization is usually heard shouting "Hold It! Hold It!". Those words are a command to keep that position as long as it is designated to last in that step routine.
I believe that the these frozen leg positions in BGLO stepping routines are meant to demonstrate the step teams' skill (ability to maintain their balance) and endurance. These leg freezes add drama to the step performance and are aesthetically pleasing. I believe that the "raised bent knee" freeze position is still part of some current (2020s) historically Black fraternity or sorority step performances. However, it appears to me from the 2020s YouTube stepping videos that I have watched that people expect the folded leg freeze position to be a part of a BGLO competition stepping performance, especially toward the end of those stepping routines.
For the folkloric record, please share additions and/or corrections to this editorial note and your comments in the discussion section of this pancocojams. Thanks!
****
DISCLAIMER
The YouTube videos that are showcased in this post are some of the examples of "leg freeze positions" that I came across in my brief search for those types of stepping videos on YouTube.
Showcasing these videos in this post isn't meant to imply that these are the only examples from those organizations on YouTube or that the videos that are showcased in this pancocojams series are the best examples to represent this custom from those specific organizations.
****
ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos showcase some examples of the four sororities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (colloquially known as "the Divine Nine") performing leg freezes during their step performances.
The presentation order of these videos in this post largely reflect when I happened upon them in my search for one YouTube video each of Divine Nine sororities performing "leg freezes" during their stepping performances.
ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos showcase some examples of the four sororities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (colloquially known as "the Divine Nine") performing leg freezes during their step performances.
The presentation order of these videos in this post largely reflect when I happened upon them in my search for one YouTube video each of Divine Nine sororities performing "leg freezes" during their stepping performances.
Showcase Video #1:Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. [This video is found at the top of this post.]
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Showcase Video #2- BOTBS- Alpha Kappa Alpha (Pi Mu Chapter) performance
Showcase Video #3 - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Theta Chapter Spring 2023 Yard Show @ USM
Showcase Video #4 - SSU step show SGRHOs WIN 1ST PLACE!!!! [Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
-snip-
A number of the steppers do what I refer to as the "folded leg freeze" starting around 6:34. Many of the steppers who are doing this freeze maintain it until that segment of the stepping performance ends around 6:57.
During that same period of time a few steppers do different versions of what I call "foot lift freezes" and end that freeze at various times during that segment.
People in the audience can be heard shouting "Hold it! Hold it!"
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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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Showcase Video #2- BOTBS- Alpha Kappa Alpha (Pi Mu Chapter) performance
txspyda, Feb 10, 2011
Battle of the Burning Sands Stepshow 2011 at Baylor.
-snip-
What I refer to as the "folded leg freeze" occurs at 9:21-9:30 in this video.
Notice that the members of this step team continue to do their Juba-like clap/thigh slapping motions while maintaining this folded leg freeze position. In other YouTube videos that I've come across, steppers try to be remain motionless in order to maintain this folded leg freeze position for as long as it is designated to last in that stepping routine.
Showcase Video #3 - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Theta Chapter Spring 2023 Yard Show @ USM
Ciedarius Jacobs, Mar 23, 2023
-snip-
What I refer to as the "folded leg freeze" occurs at 6:21-6:39 in this video.
Showcase Video #4 - SSU step show SGRHOs WIN 1ST PLACE!!!! [Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
-snip-
A number of the steppers do what I refer to as the "folded leg freeze" starting around 6:34. Many of the steppers who are doing this freeze maintain it until that segment of the stepping performance ends around 6:57.
During that same period of time a few steppers do different versions of what I call "foot lift freezes" and end that freeze at various times during that segment.
People in the audience can be heard shouting "Hold it! Hold it!"
****
This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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