Move · Videos · Dance · 9 min

Learn the Shim Sham: Classic Tap Dance Routine Step by Step

Learn the Shim Sham: Classic Tap Dance Routine Step by Step — video by The Dance Prof Play · 8:53

Video by The Dance Prof on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Rustin (The Dance Prof) teaches the Shim Sham, the routine he calls the national anthem of tap, part by part: the shim sham, push and cross, tack Annie and half break, each with its break, then dances it to music. Fun, with room for your own style; for beginners who know basic tap steps.

  • 9 min
  • Beginner
  • High impact (jumping)
  • No equipment

Good forDancing for funFun workouts

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Step by step 8

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  1. Shim sham: stamp, brush back and step; right, left, then right with a ball change. 0:05
  2. Break 1: step forward, dot, step, hop step twice, feet out, slide in and clap. 1:49
  3. Three shim shams and the break together, starting on count 8. 2:24
  4. Push and cross: four steps in place, then step, scuff, heel, cross over and step. 3:12
  5. Crossover break: step, scuff, heel, step, done twice, then stamp, stamp. 4:36
  6. Tack Annie: brush, toe, step on each side, with a ball change on the end. 5:22
  7. Half break: leap, step, shuffle ball change twice, then break 1. 6:59
  8. Dance the whole Shim Sham to music, seen from behind. 7:44

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Start each part on count 8
  • Leave out the last ball change so your right foot is free for the break
  • Add your own style to the push and cross

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 2 takes load

  • Knees takes loadhops and leaps in the breaks, stamps
  • Ankles & feet takes loadhops in the breaks, stamps, shuffles
  • Hips movesscuffs, cross-overs, leaps
  • Jumping or hopping. Impact goes through the ankles, knees and hips.

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by The Dance Prof; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety