How to Do Slap Ups in Tap Dancing

Slap ups are one of those steps worth learning as you'll find they'll turn up in tap dance combinations. As with any tap step, the sounds and positioning of your feet are important, so you should pay attention to making each sound distinct and different from the rest. It takes time, but is well worth doing.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin the slap up in tap dancing with your feet together.

2. Lift your right foot by bringing it before you, with the toes pointed toward the ceiling and your heel off the ground as you prepare to do a slap up in tap dancing.

3. Bring your right foot back and up, slapping the ground beside your left foot as you do so. The sound should be definite and sharp—a good slap that is further emphasized by the fact that the foot does not remain on the floor as you do a slap up in tap dancing.

4. Step onto your left foot.

5. Try the slap up again with your right foot, but instead of stepping on your left foot, try hopping onto it as you do a slap up in tap dancing.

6. Alternate your feet as you do the slap ups in tap dancing, slapping with first one foot than the other. As you get better and better, you can hop instead of step, creating a sharper rhythm.