Ceremonial Usage
The goose step is a difficult marching style that takes much practice and coordination. It is therefore reserved for ceremonial occasions today.
Goose stepping is often seen in military parades. Because it is difficult to maintain for long periods of time, troops will only begin to goose-step when they approach the reviewing stand, and will switch back to their normal march step once they have marched past. Large military parades require several days of practice to ensure that troops can perform the goose step without injuring themselves. Preparatory training includes having soldiers march in small groups, with arms linked to maintain balance.
Honour guards also use the goose step during solemn ceremonies, such as at war memorials or military cemeteries. It has been featured in several Olympic opening ceremonies held in goose stepping countries, as military units pay respect to the Olympic flag as they would their own flag.
In the most rigorous form of goose stepping, the leg is raised almost horizontally. In a modified form found in large military parades, the leg is raised only to knee-height, or even to calf height. This makes it easier to maintain balance and unit cohesion at the standard march tempo of 120 paces per minute. Flagbearers and honor guards will frequently march with a higher goose step than the mass of troops following.
Read more about this topic: Goose Step
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