1. Stretching Improves Your Tap Dance Performance
Stretching before you start your tap dance class or performance will greatly improve your tap performance. In addition, doing proper stretching and warm ups will prevent the possibility of injuries while dancing. If the muscles are stretched out and ready to tap dance, there's less likelihood of pulling a muscle or stumbling during a tap combination.
2. Tap Dancing Stretches Focus on the Lower Body
The lower portion of the body is the primary focus for basic tap dancing. So, before you put on your tap shoes, do some leg stretches that are similar to a runner's lunge. Start with your feet side to side and place one foot directly back at least 3 feet. The leg in front should be bent at the knee. Hold this pose for at least 20 seconds and then change feet and repeat. Also, stretch the legs by doing a quad stretch on each foot or leg. Start with your feet side by side and pick one foot up behind you, grab with the hand on that side of the body and gently pull up and toward your body. Hold for at least 20 seconds and change legs to repeat.
3. Stretch and Warm Up Those Ankles
Do some circle rolls with each ankle for about 30 seconds per ankle. It's important that the ankles are stretched and loosened up before dancing as there's a lot of pressure put on the ankles and knees during dance. Also, go up and down on the balls of the feet to stretch out the arches in each foot. Do these alternating on each foot and keep moving your feet further and further apart to add a stretch in the inner thighs. From this, go into a slow side to side lunge, holding 10 to 15 seconds on each side, to further stretch out the inner thigh area.
4. Shake It Out Cause It's Time to Tap
It's time to put on your tap shoes. To further stretch before beginning tap dancing, shake out your legs and ankles as soon as you get your tap shoes one. It's a good idea to run through all the earlier stretches one more time now that you've got your tap shoes on. Now that you're on your feet, do some body stretches side to side to stretch out the back, spine and shoulders. Now you're ready to start your tap class.
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