How to Do Brushback Steps in Tap Dance

Intermediate level tap dancers are skilled enough to learn brushback steps. In tap dancing, brushbacks are sometimes called drawbacks. Focus on getting the steps right before increasing your speed. Once you're comfortable with the order of each separate step of a brushback, it'll be easy to increase your speed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stand with your feet close together but not touching.

2. Brush your right foot back. Pick your right foot up and brush the ball of your foot off the ground while moving your leg backward.

3. Pick your left heel off the ground and place it back down. This part of the brushback step is called the "drop."

4. Place your right leg behind your body, stepping down on the ball of your right foot. Don't let your right heel touch the ground yet.

5. Move your left foot back, brushing it just as you did with your right foot in Step 2.

6. Drop your right heel, then step down on the ball of your left foot.

7. Repeat Steps 2 through 6 again. Repeat multiple times. When you're ready, end the series by placing your left foot on the ground instead of just the ball of your left foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform brushback steps while placing the front of your body perpendicular to your audience. This way your audience will be able to see your feet as you perform these intricate steps.
• If you say each individual step of brushbacks while you're performing each one, you would say, "Brush, drop, step." The "drop" is done when you place your heel on the ground. On the very first brushback you have to pick your left heel up and place it back down again because you're beginning the step with your entire foot on the floor. Once you start the step, you'll keep your weight on the ball of your foot and "heel" or "drop" when appropriate.