How to Do an Up Syncopated Step in Tap Dancing

The up syncopated step in tap dancing combines shuffles, ball changes and scuffs and chugs. A scuff occurs when the dancer strikes the heel of her shoe on the floor, moving the foot in a forward direction. A chug requires the dancer to slide the foot either forward or backward (backward in this case) and conclude the movement with the heel being forcibly dropped to the floor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Shuffle step on your right foot to the count of "and a 1." Ball change, left, right, to the count of "and 2."

2. Repeat Step 1, starting on the left foot. The count is "and a 3 and 4."

3. Scuff your right heel to the front on the count of "and," followed by a back chug on your left foot on the count of "5."

4. Step right and step left on the count of "and 6."

5. Scuff your right heel to the front and chug back on your left foot, just as you did in Step 3. Do this to the count of "and 7."

6. Conclude the up syncopated step by stepping down on your right and then your left to the count of "and 8."

Tips & Warnings

• Combine the steps; Shuffle step ball change, shuffle step ball change, scuff chug step step, scuff chug step step. The count is "and a 1 and 2 and a 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8."

Resources

• Expert Village Emily Larew Demonstration Video