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Tap Dance Terminology
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Ball change
A quick transfer of weight from one foot to another.
Pullback
A step that creates sound when the dancer hops and scrapes both feet backward.
Maxie Ford
A tap step named after the vaudeville performer that includes a leap from one foot to the other with a shuffle in the middle.
Jazz square
A four-step move that creates a square pattern on the floor typically used in jazz and tap dancing.
Pickup
A hop on one foot while the other foot executes a brush and a step.
Spank
A backward brush of the ball tap of the shoe against the floor.
Toe tap
Striking the floor with the tip of the tap shoe without weight transfer.
Time step
A rhythmic pattern repeated several times as a part of tap choreography.
Riff
A brush forward (with a closing tap) combined with a heel drop.
Buffalo
A combination of steps that includes a leap, shuffle, and a step.
Over-the-top
A leap where the dancer jumps from one foot to the other, making a half turn in the air.
Brush
A sweeping movement where the ball tap of the shoe strikes the floor to create a sound.
Single wing
A variation of the wing step executed with one foot.
Shuffle
A basic tap step consisting of a brush forward and a brush back.
Double step
A movement where the dancer steps twice quickly on the same foot.
Essence
A complex tap step that combines several tap movements into a smooth, flowing pattern.
Soft shoe
A style of tap dance performed in soft shoes without taps, emphasizing graceful and smooth movements.
Wing
A step where the dancer swings one foot out to the side, brushes the floor, and brings the foot back in.
Dig
Placing the heel on the floor with weight.
Triple step
A three-beat step usually consisting of three quick steps in a row.
Hoofer
A term for a professional tap dancer, someone who 'hoofs' or makes their living by dancing.
Cramproll
A tap step where the dancer uses a combination of toe and heel drops to produce a distinct sound pattern.
Double toe
Striking the floor twice with the toe of the tap shoe, without transferring weight.
Bojangles
A rhythm tap step named after the famous tap dancer Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson.
Time step
A repeated rhythm tap pattern that sets the tempo or serves as a break in the routine.
Step
A basic movement of placing the ball of the foot on the floor with weight transfer.
Cramp roll
A four-sound step that involves alternating toe and heel drops in a specific sequence.
Waltz clog
A tap step with a rhythm that fits the 3/4 time of a waltz.
Stamp
A step that places the entire foot on the floor with weight.
Double heel
A step in which the dancer drops the heel twice in succession on the same foot.
Buck and wing
A tap dancing style known for fast and intricate steps, typically including elements of the 'buck' step.
Cake walk
A strutting dance originally performed by African Americans during slave times, known for its elegant and exaggerated movements.
Waltz
A step performed in a 3/4 time signature, often incorporated into tap routines requiring smooth, flowing movements.
Irish
A step pattern of shuffle, hop, and a step.
Double shuffle
A complex step involving two shuffles in a row on the same foot.
Single buffalo
A variation of the buffalo tap step including a leap, shuffle, and step once.
Tap break
An improvised or composed solo within a tap number allowing the dancer to showcase their skills.
Slap
A brush with a downward tap, hitting the floor with the ball of the foot.
Stomp
A step that places the entire foot on the floor without weight transfer.
Toe stand
A stance on the tips of the tap shoes, with heels elevated off the floor.
Scissor step
A step that involves a crossing and uncrossing movement of the legs.
Chug
A forward movement with a sliding motion, usually performed with the heels digging into the floor.
Buck
A dance move that involves kicking the leg out straight and then 'bucking' it back.
Chorus line
A group of dancers performing synchronized routines, often featured in musicals.
Paddle and roll
A combative motion involving the alternation of heel and toe taps, creating a rolling sound.
Flap
A step that consists of a brush and a step on the same foot.
Scuffle
A brush forward followed by a spank (brush back).
Heel drop
The action of dropping the heel to make a sound, usually following a toe or ball touch.
Trench
A low to the ground movement with a dragging motion of the feet.
Triple shuffle
Three consecutive shuffles done on the same foot.
Fallback
A tap dance move where the dancer falls backward, typically onto a toe tap.
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