The "shuffle" is a dance move that arises from the "Melbourne Shuffle", a dance practiced in raves and nightclubs that originated in the late 1980s during the period of underground rave music in Melbourne, Australia. The core of the shuffle lies in the fast action of the heels and toes that works best with electronic music. However, the more modern shuffle, popularized in LMFAO's music video for the song "Party Rock Anthem" in 2009, has risen to prominence in clubbing and popular culture. To perform this type of shuffle, you need to master the "T-Step" and the "Running Man" as well as learn to move from one movement to the other. Read more information to learn how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: The “T-Step”
Step 1. Stand with your feet about 1 foot (30 cm) apart
This is the starting position for the "T-Step".
Step 2. Lift your right foot and slide your left inward
Raise it about 1/2 foot (15 cm) off the ground, raising your knee and turning it inward as your calf and foot extend away from your body. As you lift your right foot, your left foot should slide inward, so your toes point inward rather than outward. You should do this movement at the same time that you lift your right foot.
Step 3. Point your right foot down while sliding your left foot out
Point your right foot down and out only until your toes or the ball of your foot touch the floor. This is a quick move, so you don't have to plant your foot firmly on the ground. As you point your right foot down, slide your left foot out so your toes are facing out.
Step 4. Take at least five steps to the right
Try to combine the movements of your right and left foot. Keep moving to the right in the direction your foot is pointing as you raise and lower the right foot while sliding the left in and out. Once you have mastered this technique, your right foot should come up exactly when the left one turns inward and point down when the left one turns outward.
Step 5. Move to the left
Once you've done at least five steps to the right, you can switch to the left side. When your right foot touches the ground for the last time, make it your "gliding" foot and begin to raise and lower the left foot as the right foot glides in and out in a counterclockwise motion.
Step 6. Keep sliding sideways
After you've done at least five steps to the left, shift back to the right and continue until you've mastered the shuffle (or until you need a break). Although the "T-Step" consists solely of the movement of the feet, you can allow your arms to move a little by moving them away to the sides and moving them inwards when your knee points inwards or vice versa.
Method 2 of 3: The “Running Man”
Step 1. Stand with your left foot about 1 foot (30 cm) in front of your right
Your left foot should be planted on the ground while you should only support the tip of the right foot.
Step 2. Lift your right foot
Slide and lift your ask right. Lift it about 1 foot (15 cm) into the air with your knee slightly raised. The position of your left foot should stay the same.
Step 3. Drag your left foot back
Drag your left foot back the same distance as its own length while your right foot remains in the air.
Step 4. Lower your right foot
Support your right foot as you lift your left foot touching the floor with only your toes. This will make it easier for you to lift your left foot in the next step.
Step 5. Lift your left foot
Now just repeat the same movement alternating legs. Slide and lift your left foot about 1 foot (30 cm) high with the knee slightly raised. Your right foot should remain in the same position.
Step 6. Drag your right foot back
Drag your right foot back the same distance as its own length while your left foot remains in the air.
Step 7. Lower your left foot
Support your left foot as you lift your right foot by touching the floor with only your toes. This will make it easier for you to lift your right foot in the next step.
Step 8. Keep alternating feet
Keep sliding one foot while moving the other back until you master the dance step known as "Running Man."
Method 3 of 3: Put All the Steps Together
Step 1. Go from "T-Step" to "Running Man"
To really do the shuffle, you will need to combine the "T-Step" and the "Running Man." For that, just move to the side while doing the "T-Step" and then switch to the "Running Man" instead of moving to the other side. Take five steps to the left, and when you lift your left foot or last step foot, turn 90 degrees forward or backward, using this foot as a guide for the "Running Man."Do the "Running Man" in the same spot or move in a circle as you show off your skills. Then when you have both feet planted, pick one up for the "T-Step" and start doing that type of step. You can use this trick to move from one dance to another
Step 2. Go from "The Running Man" to "T-Step"
Start by doing the "Running Man" either in the same spot or in a circular pattern and then turn your body 90 degrees to the right or left and start moving from one of those sides as you do the "T-Step".. Just wait until your feet are planted during the "Running Man" to pick one up and start using it as your guide to do the "T-Step" while moving in the direction of that leg.
Step 3. Alternate between the two movements
You can actually switch between the "T-Step" and the "Running Man" anytime you want. You can do just one or two steps of the "T-Step", twist your body and then start doing the "Running Man". You can do two or three steps of the "Running Man", then go to the "T-Step", do a few steps and then go back to the "Running Man".
You can also accentuate one movement more than another. You can focus more on the "T-Step" and occasionally move on to the "Running Man" or vice versa. You don't need to do both equally
Step 4. Add a twist
If you want to take your shuffle routine to a higher level, simply twist while doing the "Running Man" or the "T-Step." To twist while doing the "Running Man", simply perform the running motion while moving slightly in a circular pattern each time you put your foot down. You can practice this slowly as you get more comfortable doing the movement as you turn.
To turn while doing the "T-Step", simply support your gliding foot as you move it in the center of a circle and rotate your body around the circle by rotating your raised foot
Step 5. Do a few movements with your arms
While leg movements are the most important part of the shuffle, once you've mastered the steps, you should pay more attention to your arms. If you leave them to the sides while doing these dance moves, you will look like a robot. Instead, leave them slightly outward and then move them inward in a way that looks natural and in line with your feet.
- If you do the "T-Step", simply move your arms outward each time you support your raised leg and inward each time you raise it again.
- If you do the "Running Man", simply move your arms from side to side in a way that mimics the movement of a runner adding a hip hop style to it.
Advice
- You don't need special shoes to do the shuffle; Conventional shoes allow you to move and slide comfortably on the dance floor.
- Practice over and over to build stamina.