The Oblique step

1
The Oblique step
To the Left, oblique, March, step with left foot,
point and carry it forward 19 inches in the
diagonal line, to the left, which gives about 13
inches to the side, and about 13 inches to the
front. On the 2nd movement, bring right foot 30
inches forward, so that the right heel be placed
13 inches directly before the left one. From
the combination of these two movements, the
general obliquity gained will amount to an angle
of about 25 degrees.
With one exception whenever stepping off in
march, the left foot always steps first
The foot not of the angle steps in front of the
other, ie. Left oblique the right foot steps
infront of the left.
When stepping off to the right oblique the left
foot steps off first, THEN the right foot does
the oblique. The right foot does NOT step first
and to the right.
Squareness of the body to the front MUST be
strictly maintained.
2
The Oblique step
Keeping the squareness of the body to the front
is extremely important and one of the hardest
things for anyone to master.
Here will be an example of 2 groups marching to
the right oblique. The left will do it correctly,
the right will falter.
At the end of the march the right hand group has
bent its line, twisted the body and not stayed
true to the front.