Final answer:
Change Step occurs when the opposite foot hits the ground during a dance or stepping routine, incorporating movements like stomps, slaps, claps, jumps, and turns, and is integral for maintaining rhythm and posture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Change Step in dance or stepping is defined as a movement that occurs as the opposite foot strikes the ground. This concept is often used in various forms of dance and step shows, where precision and rhythmic coordination are crucial. Change Step can incorporate a use of small steps and a variety of stomp dynamics, such as single or double stomps.
Additionally, performers might also slap the boot at the ankle with an open hand, and include claps, jumps, and turns to create a more dynamic performance. Such energetic movements help in maintaining posture while walking, jumping or during foot-tapping routines, and also assist in moving the back of the lower legs up and back toward the buttocks.
Dance routines might also refer to rhythmic patterns like the trochee, where a stressed syllable is followed by an unstressed one, which can guide the stepping movements on stage. For instance, in Alexandra Pajak's poem "An African American Step Show", the reference to South Africa and the poem's ties to both Steppin' and African music highlights the cultural significance and intricate movements that are characteristic of Change Step routines.