How to Do a Warm Up for Tap Dance

Advanced tap dancer require more advanced warm ups than beginners. To do this warm up routine, you must already know how to do some basic tap steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Stretch one leg out with the heel on the ground and the toe pointed. This is called the heel tic position. Brush your foot backwards with the ball of your foot sweeping the floor.

2. Do a pull back, also called a pickup. Hop back with your weight on one foot. With the other foot in the air, do a back brush step and land on the ball of the same foot.

3. Place your heel on the floor and shift your weight onto that leg.

4. Switch legs and do 2 heel taps. Point your toe and click your heel on the floor twice.

5. Do a back flap with your other leg. This is a backward brush step with the knee flexed. Hit the ball of your foot on the floor in a backwards sweeping motion.

6. Speed the steps up and switch from one leg to the other to warm up the leg and foot muscles.

Tips & Warnings

• Start off slowly and accelerate as you go. This keeps you from shocking your muscles.
• Listen to your body when warming up. If certain areas are more tense than others, stretch those areas before performing strenuous activities.