How to Do the American Roll in Tap Dancing

The American Roll step in tap dancing is sometimes called the Patricola and is considered a short military combination. The dancer makes 32 sounds (taps) in this step. The step consists of hop shuffles, flaps (brush step on the balls of your feet) and spanks (back brushes).

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Hop (left foot) shuffle step on the right foot, crossing in front of the left foot on the count to “8 and a 1.”

2. Flap step on the left foot (which is a brush step) on the count of “a 2.” Remember to put your weight on the step so that your right foot is free.

3. Flip your right toe up and spank (back brush) step your right foot to the left on the count of “a 3.”

4. Reverse the step. When finished, do the step again on the right foot.

5. Add a flap (brush step) on the left foot and then on the right foot. Repeat those steps (do two more flaps) for a total of four flaps. The count is “a 4, a 5, a 6, a 7.”

6. Learn the steps: Hop shuffle step flap spank step; repeat all of the steps a total of three times and then add four flaps.

Tips & Warnings

• Sign up for a tap dance class to learn more.

Resources

• Connie Hale, Expert Village