How to Do the Heel Dig Walk in Tap Dancing

In the heel dig walk in tap dancing, the dancer is required to scuff her heel and do both front and back brushes. In addition, heel drops are incorporated. The dancer needs to keep her ankles flexible so she can execute these intricate steps. Do some warm-ups, including flexing and pointing your feet, before dance class so your ankles are ready to go.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Scuff your R (right) heel to the front, then back brush on your R foot using the ball of your foot.

2. Drop your left (L) heel.

3. Brush forward on your R foot and step down on the ball of your R foot.

4. Drop heel (R).

5. Keep your steps crisp, clean and underneath you, because you are doing intricate footwork. The walking part occurs when you brush forward in Step 3.

6. Learn the steps in order: Scuff back brush, heel drop, brush forward, step, heel drop. Know the count: and 8 and a1 and …”

Tips & Warnings

• When you scuff your heel, it is a heel dig--except that you quickly lift up the foot (don’t hold the dig) in order to execute the next step, which is a back brush in this combination. A heel drop is not considered a dig. Simply drop your heel to the floor.

Resources

• Heel dig demonstration video