11 Heels and Toes Variations

COURSE: blues-moves-family-tree

FOCUS: This lesson focuses on footwork variations for heels and toes, building coordination and strength in the ankles and feet through exercises like rocking, twisting, and oppositional movements.

TIP & TRICKS:

• Drive the footwork from the hips to create motion and add a pulse for rhythm.
• Use the ball of the foot for pushing off the floor, especially in moves like the James Brown version.
• Practice moving feet opposite each other, starting with one foot tapping or switching heels and toes.
• Let the leg trail behind in moves like dead leg or peg leg for a cool look.
• Don't overthink it; just go and allow your body to figure out the coordination naturally.
• Add hips rocking forward and back to enhance the three-dimensional movement.

REMEMBER:

• Warm up feet by rocking weight between heels and toes to prepare for more complex variations.
• Incorporate hips and ankles to drive movements, making it easier to lead and follow in dance.
• Build strong ankle and foot muscles through repetitive coordination exercises.
• Experiment with both perfect and messy versions of moves to find what works for your style.
• Use techniques from previous lessons, like linear hips, to support footwork motions.
• Practice tick tocks or oppositional footwork to improve timing and spatial awareness.