Move · Videos · Technique · 10 min

Tap Dance Basics: Ball Heel, Shuffle, Flap and Ball Change

Tap Dance Basics: Ball Heel, Shuffle, Flap and Ball Change — video by The Dance Prof Play · 9:30

Video by The Dance Prof on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Rustin (The Dance Prof), a dancer who has taught at university for ten years, teaches the foundation steps of tap (ball heel, brush, shuffle, ball change and flap, plus flap heel and stamps) with a loose-ankle technique, then a short drill to music. Made for complete beginners.

  • 10 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 8

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Ball heel: place the ball of the foot, then drop the heel, marching right and left. 0:12
  2. Brush: shake out the ankles, then brush forward and back in a small J shape. 1:01
  3. Shuffle: brush forward and back on the right foot, then the left. 2:02
  4. Ball change: step back on the ball of the foot and change weight, then add a shuffle. 2:53
  5. Flap: brush forward and step onto that foot, then push off to switch sides. 4:04
  6. Flap heel: land the flap on the ball of the foot, then drop the heel. 5:02
  7. Stomps and stamps: a stomp lifts off again, a stamp keeps the weight; go easy on hard floors. 5:46
  8. Drill to music: shuffles and shuffle ball changes, with a stamp to switch sides. 6:44

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

Form cues from the coach

  • Shake out your ankles and keep them loose; the foot just goes along for the ride
  • Brush back in a small J shape instead of kicking up behind you
  • Go easy on stamps on a hard floor to protect your shins

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses 1 take load

  • Ankles & feet takes loadloose-ankle brushes, shuffles, ball heels, flaps
  • Hips movesswinging the leg for shuffles and flaps
  • Knees movesmarching ball heels, stamps

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