Quick answer: a broken T is a bent-arm version of the T motion. The upper arms stay out to the sides at shoulder height, but the elbows bend so the fists come in to rest just in front of the shoulders - as if the straight T has been "broken" at the elbow.
What Does It Look Like?
The upper arms extend out to the sides, level with the shoulders, exactly as in a T motion. The elbows then bend so the forearms fold back in, parallel to the floor, bringing the fists close to the front of the shoulders. From the front, the arms form a flat line across the shoulders with the fists tucked in near the collarbones.
Hands and Arms
The fists are tight, and the elbows stay up at shoulder height rather than dropping. The forearms stay level, and the fists stay close to the shoulders without touching the face.
Common Mistakes Judges Notice
- Dropped elbows - the most common problem. Once the elbows sag, the shape stops reading as a T.
- Fists too far from the shoulders, leaving the arms half-straight.
- Shrugged shoulders, which often happen when athletes lift their elbows by lifting their shoulders instead.
- Different elbow heights or fist positions across the team.
Where It Fits in a Routine
The broken T is a common position in chants and dances, often as a quick pass-through position on the way into or out of a full T, or as a sharp accent on its own. Because it's compact, it's useful in fast motion sequences where there isn't time to reach a full extension on every count.
A Note on Naming
Most teams use "broken T" for the fists-to-shoulders position described here. Motion names aren't set by any governing body, though, and some gyms use the name for other bent-arm variations - so if your coach's version looks different, theirs is the one that matters for your routine.
Easily Confused With
- T motion - the same arm height, but fully straight.
- Daggers - also bent arms with the fists near the shoulders, but with the elbows pulled down and in to the ribs rather than lifted out to the sides.
Related Motions
See the T motion and daggers, or browse the full motion chart.