How to Execute the Cubanola in Tap Dancing

The Cubanola is an older dance term for what is commonly called the “Traveling Time Step.” This is a common dance step, and is used as the intro to many dances.To do the Cubanola, you need to know how to front shuffle and a ball change. A Front Shuffle is a dance step that is performed in one spot. A Ball Change is done by changing your weight from the ball of one foot to the ball on your other foot.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Shuffle right forward (commonly abbreviated as Shuffle R fwd.) Stand with your feet in line with your hips, toes pointed straight forward. Bend your right knee. Lower your right foot, striking the ball of your foot on the floor in a forward motion as you straighten your right leg.The count for this step is "8 and."

2. Step right. The count for this step is "1."

3. Shuffle left forward (Shuffle L fwd). Stand with your feet in line with your hips, toes pointed straight forward. Bend your left knee. Lower your left foot, striking the ball of your foot on the floor in a forward motion as you straighten your left leg.The count for this step is "and 2."

4. Ball change (left to right, travel right); ball change L-R (travel R). Stand with your feet in line with your hips, toes pointed straight forward. Raise your heels slightly, so that your weight rests entirely on the balls of your feet. Move your right leg out to the right, approximately 4", just past your right hip. As you do this, it forces your weight to be entirely on the ball of your left foot. As you set your right foot down, just set the ball of the foot down and transfer your weight to the ball of your right foot.The count for this step is "and 3."Repeat on the count "and 4."

5. Hop right. The count for this step is "5."

6. Step left. The count for this step is "6."

7. Shuffle right forward (commonly abbreviated as Shuffle R fwd.). Stand with your feet in line with your hips, toes pointed straight forward. Bend your right knee. Lower your right foot, striking the ball of your foot on the floor in a forward motion as you straighten your right leg.The count for this step is "and 7."

8. Step right. The count for this final step is "and."

9. Review. The Cubanola is an 8-count step, written as:8 and Shuffle R fwd1 Step RightAnd 2 Shuffle L fwd And 3 Ball change L-R (travel R) And 4 Ball change L-R (travel R) 5 Hop Right 6 Step LeftAnd 7 Shuffle R fwd And Step Right

10. If desired, reverse the Cubanola as follows:8 and Shuffle L fwd1 Step LeftAnd 2 Shuffle R fwd And 3 Ball change R-L (travel L) And 4 Ball change R-L (travel L) 5 Hop Left 6 Step RightAnd 7 Shuffle L fwd And Step L

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!