How to Do a Buffalo Time Step in Tap Dancing

The Buffalo time step is a variation of Shuffle Off to Buffalo, a tap-dancing standard, which is sometimes employed as dancers exit from the stage. In the Shuffle Off to Buffalo step, the dancer moves to the right or to the left; however, in the Buffalo time step, the dancer primarily stays in place (although there is some sideways movement).

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Flap (which is a front brush step) on the left foot and shuffle right. Step down on your right and lift your left foot into the sur le cou de pied (a ballet term) position. To achieve this, lift your left foot and point your foot toward your right shin. Your left leg will be bent and pointed diagonally to the left.

2. Flap your left foot to the left and your right foot to the front.

3. Step on your left and shuffle right, followed by a hop in place on your left.

4. Step down on your right foot behind your left and shuffle on your left, followed by a hop in place on your right.

5. Put the steps in the correct order: Flap shuffle step lift foot, flap flap step shuffle hop, step to the back shuffle and hop. The count is: a 8 and a 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7.