How to Do the Maxie Ford Tap Dance Step

The Maxie Ford tap dance step is a basic combination of steps. Alter or enhance it to make the step more difficult. Tap dancers have relied on the Maxie Ford for generations. Learn the Maxie step with these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Place your feet hips-length apart. Leap forward with your right foot and land with a flat step. To leap, jump into the air after pushing off your supporting foot. Land on the opposite foot. Shift your weight from one leg to the other while you are in the air. You've started the Maxie Ford.
2. Shuffle to the left with your left foot. To shuffle, flex your left knee in front of your body, lower your leg and strike the ball of your foot sideways as you pull it backwards.
3. Do a pickup change from your right foot to your left foot. Hop back with a brush step. You start with one foot in the air, and then land with the other foot in the air.
4. Drop your left heel. Do a toe tap with your right foot as you bring it backwards.
5. Repeat the steps starting with your left foot.
6. Practice the Maxie Ford step slowly until you are comfortable with it, and then increase the speed.

Tips & Warnings

• Warm your muscles before practicing or performing tap.
• This is a more advanced Maxi Ford dance move. The basic Maxi Ford tap step is done without the pickups.