How to Perform a Ball Change

The ball change is a tap dance move that is made up of two step positions and involves both feet. This action is a basic and simple move. A heel ball change is more popular and can be found in some styles of line dancing (although the sound of the taps is much softer). Heel ball changes utilize the ball of the foot for tapping as well as the heel. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dance floor or stage for performing
• CD's or other music
• Tape recorder
• Video camera with tripod
• Tap dancing shoes

Perform a Ball Change

1. Begin any dance routine or practice by warming your body up. Warming up helps you avoid injuries and keeps muscles from becoming too sore. A good way to warm up is to do some jumping jacks in place for a few minutes, and then follow with some lunges and leg stretches.

2. Be sure you are wearing the correct shoes. Tap shoes work best because they have metal pieces at each end of the shoe that resonate sound throughout a dance hall. If you are unable to perform in tap shoes, any shoe with a flat metal or wooden sole will suffice.

3. Place your left foot forward, flex your foot and tap your heel down onto the floor. Hold your arms out and to the side to maintain balance.

4. Lift your right foot up off the floor and tap the ball of your foot to the ground, then rest it.

5. Bring your left foot back to its original position, but this time tapping it on the floor with the ball of the foot and resting it in a "tippy toe" stance.

6. Allow your right foot to cross in front of your body to the left side, tapping the heel down. As you tap the heel, lift the left foot and tap the ball to the floor again.

7. Return the right foot to the original position, tapping it to the floor with the ball of the foot before resting it there.

8. Repeat the sequence multiple times getting faster and faster each time as you improve your technique.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to videotape yourself performing the moves. This will help you evaluate your weak areas and allow you to have a visual idea of how you perform the ball change.
• Play music while you tap. The better you get, the faster you will be able to tap and the more fun it will be to dance to the music.