How to Do the Spank Toe Heel in Tap Dancing

The spank toe heel step in tap dancing has a number of other names including the back Ralph, spank step heel, spank tap heel and the back flap heel. The spank toe heel can be done in place or traveling backward. Remember that a “spank” is a back brush. You brush the ball of your foot backward when executing a spank.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stand on your left foot, spank your right foot to the back and step down on the ball of your foot.

2. Execute a heel drop on your right.

3. Reverse the combination and spank on your left foot, step down on the ball of your left foot and then drop your left heel.

4. Make three sounds (taps) on one foot. Make your individual taps clean and crisp. The count is “&a1 &a2” and so on.

5. Travel backwards when you do the spank toe heel.

Tips & Warnings

• Realize that the spank toe heel is the backward version of the flap (front brush) toe heel.