How to Do the Pacing Step in Tap Dancing

The pacing step in tap dancing begins with the dancer facing stage right and moving to the right; however, as she executes this combination, she turns to the front and then turns to the left. The pacing steps incorporates a riff walk, which occurs when a dancer brushes to the front, then scuffs her heel, followed by a heel drop, heel dig and toe drop.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tap shoes

1. Brush your right foot to the front and scuff your right heel to the front (and 8).

2. Drop your left heel and dig your right heel to the front (and a).

3. Drop your right toe (the ball of your foot) on the count of "1."

4. Repeat the above steps starting on your left foot: Brush scuff, heel drop, heel dig, toe drop (and 2 and a 3).

5. Brush your right foot to the front and scuff your right heel (and 4 and).

6. Dig your right heel to the front and drop your right toe (a 5).

7. Drop your left heel, then drop your right heel (and 6). As you do this, turn to face front.

8. Brush your left foot to the back and drop your right heel (and 7). As you do this, turn to face stage left.

9. Put it all together: Brush scuff heel drop heel dig toe drop, brush scuff heel drop heel dig toe drop, brush scuff heel drop heel dig toe drop (facing right); heel drop, heel drop (turning to face front); back brush, heel drop (turning to face left). Listen to the count: and 8 and a1 and 2 and a 3 and 4 and a 5 and 6 and 7.

Resources

• Tapmoves.com: 5 Point Riff Walk