There are two parts. In the first, the feet, placed together, keep time by lifting each heel in succession while the toes stay planted. Eight of these. Marking time. The second part is simply eight steps forward. Forward march. If all goes as planned, the instep of the right foot, finishing the eighth step, should land exactly on the next yard marker. Eight steps to travel five yards. Eight-to-fives. Marching band’s bread and butter. The left foot always, always goes first: to do otherwise feels more than awkward.
The two-part pattern repeats itself down the length of the field. It is the first exercise of each rehearsal. Eights-and-eights. It’s a transitory moment, those first few sets, feeling the group settle into the physical work of the day. There is something incredibly comforting about this simple exercise, any of them will tell you. A sense of belonging, an old muscle memory that stretches back to being fifteen, nervous and awkward in a parking lot somewhere, learning to stand at attention under the August sun.
Sometimes, there’s music on the stereo to help warm-ups along. Eights-and-eights songs are not too frantic, but keep a steady pace. “Higher Ground” by the Chili Peppers is a favorite. Hearing it, out in the world somewhere, they can’t help but walk in time.
