The 5 C’s.
TALKING SEQUENCE
Just like choreography and intervals, speaking has structure.
If you talk randomly and constantly, the song drags and riders stop absorbing what you say. But when you speak in the sweet spots, your message lands, the room stays engaged, and time moves faster.
When you first start teaching, you will naturally over-talk.
That’s normal.
This sequence creates a consistent flow that sets riders up for success—song after song—without overwhelming them.
1) CUE
(The WHAT)
Tell riders exactly what to do.
This includes:
gear / resistance
speed / tempo
footwork
body position + form cues
Standard: Avoid cueing during a verse when possible.
Use the most predictable musical moments so riders can hear, absorb, and execute.
Mechanism-Muscles-Motivaiton
2) CONTEXT
(The WHY)
Tell riders why you’re asking them to do it.
Context gives meaning.
Meaning gives buy-in.
Buy-in gives effort.
This is where you create space for riders to challenge themselves because they understand the purpose—not just the instruction.
3) COACH (OR CONNECT)
(The Encouragement)
This is the human part of the ride.
You are either:
coaching them through the effort
orconnecting with them so they feel seen and supported
Coach during the build-up of the song, when energy is naturally rising.
And remember: coaching doesn’t always need to be deep. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply talk to your riders like real people—use names, check in, share something small about yourself.
That’s how riders feel connected to you.
4) COMMAND
(The Release Statement)
This is the moment right before the drop.
It’s where you give riders a clean, confident instruction that empowers them to execute.
Examples:
“Up and out.”
“push.”
A strong command is simple, clear, and decisive.
ORDER OF OPERATIONS
5) COMPLIMENT
(The Praise)
Take a few seconds to acknowledge what riders just did.
This is not fluff, it is leadership.
Compliments:
reinforce confidence
reward effort
strengthen connection
mark the moment as meaningful
This is also where you give riders recovery without saying “recover.”
You are sneakily giving them breath back while you praise them, individually or as a whole.
THE STANDARD
The 5 C’s keep your class:
clear
intentional
emotionally connected
musically aligned
easy to follow
This is how you stop over-talking and start leading.
THE 5 C’S RUBRIC (WITH NOTES)
Clear. Intentional. Connected. Musically aligned.
Instructor: _______________________________
Evaluator: ________________________________
Date: _______________ Class Time: ___________
Scoring Key
5 = FRXNT ROW Standard | 3 = Developing | 1 = Missing
1) CUE (The WHAT) Score: ____ /5
Focus: gear, speed, footwork, and form are clearly delivered in predictable musical moments
Standard: avoids cueing during verses when possible
Notes:
2) CONTEXT (The WHY) Score: ____ /5
Focus: riders understand the purpose of the work; context creates buy-in and effort
Standard: instruction is not random—everything has meaning
Notes:
3) COACH / CONNECT (The HUMAN PART) Score: ____ /5
Focus: instructor motivates effort or creates real connection
Standard: coaching happens during builds; connection is personal, natural, and uses names
Notes:
4) COMMAND (The RELEASE STATEMENT) Score: ____ /5
Focus: clear, confident, decisive instruction right before the drop
Standard: simple words, no filler, no hesitation
Notes:
5) COMPLIMENT (The PRAISE) Score: ____ /5
Focus: effort is acknowledged; confidence is reinforced; recovery is built in without calling it recovery
Standard: compliments feel specific, earned, and timely
Notes:
TOTAL SCORE: ____ /25
Strengths
Growth Edge (1–2 Focus Points)
FRXNT ROW STANDARD
The 5 C’s are how you stop over-talking and start leading.
They keep the ride:
clear, intentional, connected, musically aligned, and easy to follow.
EXAMPLE
:00-:30 INTRO-CUE THE SET UP/CONTEXT
:31 VERSE - CHOREO IN SEAT
:47 BUILD-UP - STOP CHOREO, GIVE CONTEXT/COACH
1:01 COMMAND
1:31 END OF BEAT DROP-COMPLIMENT
1:47 CONNECT and/or COACH
2:01 START CHOREO
2:25 CUE
2:41 CONTEXT and COACH
2:54 COMMAND
3:24 COMPLIMENT