How to Do the Treble Leap Move: Irish Step Dancing

Series Summary

Irish step dance is a type of performance dance that originated in Ireland and has become popular world-wide thanks to exposure granted by Michael Flatley's Riverdance. Characterized by stiffly maintained erect upper body postures and nimble, quick-moving feet, Irish step dance is often performed in group form, displaying a unique form of rhythm, syncopation and talent amongst its dancers. Irish music and its history have inspired many kinds of native dance traditions, but step dancing is one form of expression that has made its way through the years to gain popularity. The two types of Irish step dance (hard shoe and soft shoe) contain a variety of moves ranging in difficulty to very simple to extremely difficult, and they all have traditional Irish names, as well. A step dance performance may contain steps with such names as the “jig”, the “reel”, the “slip jig”, the “corkscrew” and the “hornpipe”. In this free instructional video dance lesson, our expert will demonstrate intermediate-level Irish step dances, including treble shuffles, cuts, kicks, and hop moves, as well as combination clicks and stamps. Additionally, you will learn how to do the butterfly combo, complete with tips and suggestions for your own practice routines.

Video Transcript

"My name is Niall O'Leary from the Niall O'Leary School of Irish Dance in New York City and today I'm demonstrating intermediate Irish step dance. Another very popular hard shoe combination is treble leap. For this one we're going to do a treble like before, but instead of taking your foot away either up in front or up in the back you're going to leap on that same foot. So you are here, treble leap. Watch how when I come out of the treble, I want to point my toes and then leap on the floor. If don't point my toes I won't be able to land successfully on my toes, so watch again. Treble leap and then you would typically switch feet and do the same thing on the left foot. Treble leap, treble leap, treble leap, treble leap. So you can see I'm bringing my foot in front every time keeping my feet crossed. I'll do it a little faster, treble leap. Treble leap, treble leap, treble leap, treble leap and so you're brining your foot up the back as you're leaping."