Full Intermediate Class #1

Happy New Year everyone!  I thought it might be fun to post a full tap class for those of you who practice at home.  So here it is!
Below is a typical intermediate class that I teach - I am hoping to have some time this weekend to video some of these steps and combinations for you.. until then - here is the annotated version of an intermediate tap class.  Enjoy!

Abbreviations & terms I use:
R = Right foot
L = Left foot
double time = twice as fast (if normal is 1 2 3 4, double time is 1 & 2 &)

WARM-UP (Music: "Domino" Jessie J - www.youtube.com . . .)
8 alternating toe drops R & L
8 alternating heel drops R & L
16 toe drops double time
16 heel drops double time

2 toe drops R, 2 toe drops L, repeat for a total of 8x
repeat with heel drops
repeat double toe drops, but double time
repeat double heel drops, but double time




16 toe heels in place (step, heel drop)
16 heel walks in place (heel, toe drop)
16 toe heel toe heel (step, heel drop, toe drop, heel drop - to improve weight shifting to front and back of the foot)


8 shuffles to the front, 8 shuffles with the leg turned out, 8 shuffles to back, 6 shuffles to the side, reverse

16 alternating shuffle steps
16 alternating shuffle step heel
16 alternating shuffle steps *double time* (leap shuffles)
16 alternating shuffle step heels *double time*

8 shuffle hop steps moving forward
8 shuffle hop steps moving backwards
16 running flaps moving any direction
16 running flap heels to return to original position

8 backwards flaps moving backwards (spank step or brush back step)
8 running flaps forward
repeat the back and forth 3 more times

Stretch out ankles by lifting one foot of the ground and circling the ankle in one direction, reverse direction, repeat on the other foot

CLASS FOCUS STEP: Alternating pullback
We will be learning an alternating or switching pullback (may also be called a switching pickup) today!

To develop muscle memory in the foot, begin by stamping your R foot on the ground slightly in front of your L foot. Bend both your knees and as you straighten them, you will move the R leg in a backwards motion, ending with your R leg straight and slightly off the ground behind you.

Try it again and this time try to strike the toe tap of your R foot on the floor and you move it backwards, creating a crisp and clear 'STRIKE' sound.

STAMP front, straighten and STRIKE back.

Repeat until you can do this successfully a few times in a row.

Repeat with your other leg.

Now we are going to do the pullback. Begin again by stamping your R foot in front of your L. This time, pick up your L foot off the floor. You are going to switch feet and as you switch feet, make the STRIKE sound with your R foot, moving the leg backwards like we did before.

If you are not getting it right away, make sure you are bending your R knee before you try to switch feet.

If you are still having trouble, go back to doing the STAMP STRIKES until you are able to get the sound easily.

Try this on both feet.

Congrats! You have learned a switching pullback!

Side note: the technical way to do a switching pullback is without your heels touching the floor, however to learn the movement, I begin my students flat-footed and lift the heels once they get the motion and sounds down.

ACROSS THE FLOOR #1
Music: www.youtube.com . . .

Flap R, flap L, flap R, hop
Reverse
Flap R, flap L, flap R, toe back L, hop
Reverse
Flap R, flap L, flap R, shuffle L hop
Reverse

Counts: a1 a2 a3 4, a5 a6 a7 8 | a1 a2 a3 a4, a5 a6 a7 a8 | a1 a2 a3 &a4, a5 a6 a7 &a8

Repeat if you have enough room. If not, turn around and repeat the combination starting with the L foot.

ACROSS THE FLOOR #2 - You didn't think we were done with pullbacks, did you?
Music: www.youtube.com . . .

Flap ball change R & L
Stamp R, *hold*, switching pullback *hold*
Repeat

Counts: &1&2 &3&4, 5 *6*, a7 *8*

Reverse the combination

ACROSS THE FLOOR #3
Nice and easy: Toe heel turns (two toe heels to make one turn, travels sideways like a chaine) - start at a speed you feel comfortable and try to increase it a little bit

> Keep your knees soft (slightly bent) to keep from spinning out of control!
> Pay attention to your upper body as it turns - are you keeping your tummy tight and not arching your back?
> Make sure you are spotting something eye-level
> Keep your rhythm even and the sounds the same loudness - if you have extra time, try accenting the heels (making the heels louder) or the toe parts.

CENTER COMBO (counts are in parentheses)
Music: www.youtube.com . . .

1st Set of "La la la la la": Hit pose of your choice
2nd Set: Change your pose
3rd Set: step L, cross R foot over L
4th Set: spin all the way around, untwisting your legs and end facing front

Shuffle ballchange R, shuffle hop step R, reverse (+1+2, +3+4, +5+6, +7+8)
2 shuffles front R, 2 shuffles side R (+1+2, +3+4)
slide to the R hold hold (5 6 7)
ballchange LR (+8)

Reverse first step

3 toe heels traveling to the right, R L R, slam the inside of your L foot on the ground, slightly bending your knees (1+2+3+ 4)
reverse (5+6+7+ 8
step R, inside single pirouette (picking up L foot) (1 2)
step L foot down (landing pirouette) (3)
drop heels to L on "noise"- if you're feeling girly you can pop your hips to the L (4)

THE END!

If you stuck with me until the end - great job!  Hope to have some videos to go with these combos up soon.

Have a great week!