FormyDance formations for groups of 3 to 20
Pick your team size to see formations drawn for exactly that many dancers, with notes on rows, center and stage space. Every diagram opens in Formy, a free formation app, so you can edit it and share it with your dancers.
All diagrams show the audience at the top (FRONT). Stage left is on the left of each diagram.
Choose your number of dancers
Formation types
The shapes most dance teams use, and when each one works best.
Windows (staggered rows)
Two or more rows where the back-row dancers stand in the gaps of the row in front. The everyday formation for most of a routine. Example for 8
Wedge (pyramid)
One dancer at the point downstage center, with each row behind getting wider. Strong for chorus hits and features. Example for 8
V shape
Two diagonal lines meeting at the front. Opens up the middle and works well for entrances. Example for 8
Straight line
Everyone side by side. Simple and strong for openings, endings and unison. Example for 8
Block (grid)
Even rows and columns. Clean for sharp unison sections; stagger it if the back disappears. Example for 8
Diamond
A diamond outline or a filled diamond. Reads clearly from the audience. Example for 8
Circle
Dancers on a ring, facing in or out. Good for transitions and group moments. Example for 8
Arc
A curved line with the ends forward. Softer than a line, and everyone can still face front. Example for 8
Soloist with backup
One dancer downstage center with the group behind. For features and dance breaks. Example for 8
Two groups
The team splits stage left and stage right. Good for call and response and battles. Example for 7
Three staggered rows
Windows with three rows, for bigger teams. Example for 10
X shape
Two diagonals crossing at center. Eye-catching and easy to reach from a block. Example for 5
Inverted wedge
The widest row in front, narrowing to one dancer upstage. Good for reveals. Example for 7
Diagonal line
One line from downstage to upstage. Adds depth; suits canon and ripples. Example for 4
Column (single file)
Dancers in single file. Only the first shows from the front, so it is perfect for reveals. Example for 4
How to choose formations for a routine
Start from the music. Write down the sections (intro, verse, chorus, bridge, ending) and give each section one formation. Plan at least one formation per section. Many three-minute routines use 10 to 20, with simpler shapes in the verses and bigger ones for the choruses.
Use windows or staggered rows as your home base, because everyone stays visible. Save the shapes that point at the audience, like the wedge and the V, for the moments you want to hit hardest, and use lines, circles and two groups to change the energy.
Then check the transitions. Neighboring shapes, like a line into windows or windows into a V, only need a few steps. If a dancer has to cross the whole stage in one 8-count, give them a closer spot.
Finally, follow each dancer through the whole piece. If the same person is always in the back row, rotate the rows between sections.
Make your own in Formy
Formy is a free dance formation app that runs in the browser. Drag dancers, add scenes and counts, sync to a YouTube video, and share a view-only link with your team.