Irish steppers and tap dancers are notorious for their fast feet. Audiences and reviewers consistently marvel at the intricate footwork of professional dancers such as Michael Flatley and Savion Glover, who combine speed and accuracy when they perform. Master dancers like Flatley and Glover work wonders with their feet, pounding out complex movement combinations with stunning precision. Amateur dancers often struggle to build speed without compromising on accuracy. As you increase the tempo of your music, remain true to your choreography and keep your dance steps clear and crisp.
Step 1
Review your choreography mentally until you can visualize all of the particulars of a dance piece from beginning to end. Knowing your choreography will help prevent stumbling when you get physical. Break down long choreography or difficult movement combinations into manageable parts, and analyze one small section at a time. Periodically review movement combinations in your head and visualize yourself performing the steps flawlessly.
Step 2
Practice a section of choreography repeatedly until your execution is consistently solid. Work with the music, maintain a steady rhythm and focus on smoothing out awkward transitions that are likely to slow you down at faster tempos.
Step 3
Keep your movements small. Whether you are dancing Irish step, tap, salsa or hip-hop, you will have greater success if you keep your movements small and directly beneath you. You will have far greater control over your feet at faster tempos if they remain close to your body.
Step 4
Exercise and stretch your ankles to build strength and increase flexibility. Strengthening exercises leave you with a more stable standing leg, and stretches can increase the range of motion in your ankle joint, giving you greater ease of movement at faster tempos.
Step 5
Drill until you discover how much tension you need in the muscles of your legs and feet for fast, articulate footwork. Only repetition and frequent drills can help you find the right balance between tension and relaxation. If your muscles are too tense, you may tire too quickly and you will be unable to maintain top speed. If your muscles are too relaxed, your steps may be too soft and lack the clarity that impresses audiences.
Step 6
Begin at a slower tempo when you are learning a new step or combination of steps. Drill at the slower tempo until you become completely comfortable with your execution. At that point, gradually pick up the pace.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider using a resistance band to build strength in your ankles and feet.
Things You'll Need
- Resistance band
