Sidetracking

A common form of avoidance in improvised scenes, sidetracking occurs when a performer diverts from the goal or direction of a story rather than taking the next logical step forward. This behavior is typically motivated by fear: fear of the unknown, fear of heightening the stakes, or fear of committing to an offer that feels risky. Instead of advancing the narrative, the performer introduces tangential topics, unnecessary details, or new elements that pull focus away from the central action. Sidetracking is closely related to other disruptive behaviors such as blocking and canceling, all of which interrupt the collaborative flow of a scene. While blocking involves outright refusing an offer, and canceling retroactively undoes what has been established, sidetracking is subtler; it acknowledges the existing reality but steers the scene sideways to avoid its implications. The Improv Handbook by Salinsky and Frances groups these behaviors together as patterns that frustrate narrative momentum, noting that performers sometimes block or sidetrack in a misguided attempt to "make things happen," when the resulting scenes actually lose energy and coherence. Recognizing sidetracking in oneself or scene partners is a key skill in developing stronger scenic instincts and building trust in the unfolding story.