TAP TERMINOLOGY

Ball Change:
Two quick changes of weight from one ball of the foot to the other.

Brush:
Striking of the ball of the foot or the toe tap against the floor. This is usually done in a direction. A
backward brush is called a spank.

Chug (single or double):

Forward movement emphasizing the heel drop with weight on the same foot.

Buffalo:
Step consisting of a step, shuffle, and a small jump (with shuffling foot going behind).

Shuffle Off to Buffalo:

3 Buffalos, followed by a flap, ball change.

Manhattan:
Flap, opposite heel drop, same heel drop, spank, heel, toe, heel.

Cramp Roll:
Step using toe and heel drops in a specific pattern.

Dig (Heel or Toe):

Digging of the heel (or toe) into the floor without weight transfer.

Drawbacks:
Spank, heel drop, step- moving backward

Essence:
Basic movement associated with soft shoe dancing. Side/back flap, ball change, alternating sides.

Flap:
Brush and step with transfer of weight.

Heel drop:
Forceful dropping of the heel on the floor, with the weight placed on the ball of the same foot.

Hop:
Jump into the air, landing on the same foot and keeping the heel lifted.

Hamp:
Jump into the air, landing on the same foot and landing on the whole foot.

Leap:
Jump into the air, landing on the opposite foot and keeping the heel lifted.

Lamp:
Jump into the air, landing on the opposite foot and landing on the whole foot.

Irish:
Movement adopted from Irish folk dances, which consists of a shuffle, hop, and a step. This can be
done traveling forwards or backwards and the shuffling foot usually crosses when stepping.

Jump:
Spring into the air from both balls of the feet and landing on the same.

Maxi Ford (can turn):

Step named for a famous dancer. Consists of a step, shuffle, jump, toe tip behind.

Paradiddle:
Heel dig, spank, step, heel drop.

Riff:
Movement combining a brush and a scuff on the same foot.

Riffle:
Riff combined with a spank.

Running shuffles:
Leap shuffles in succession.

Scuff:
Forward movement hitting the heel of the foot on the ground.

Scuffle:
Scuff followed by a spank.

Shuffle:
Brush followed by a spank.

Slap:
Flap without weight transfer.

Soft Shoe (single or double):

Type of dance, originally done without shoes consisting of a step, ball change pattern. Double Soft
Shoe consists of a flap, ball change pattern.

Spank:
A backward brush of the ball of the foot.

Stamp:
Step onto the entire foot with weight transfer. (Like sticking a stamp to a letter)

Stomp:
Stamp without weight transfer.

Trenches:
Step, with opposite leg extending back.

Toe Drop:
Dropping the toe with weight on the foot.

Toe Point Tap:

Striking the tip of the tap shoe against the ground.