Steps in Clog Dancing

Like any other dance steps, name of clog dancing step is not the same in every studio of clog dancing or for each clog dance choreographer. Like the style, steps of clog dancing have always been improvised over year after year.

To mention its most basic step, shuffle or double step can be considered. If you consider another basic, then we should not forget to mention “Tennessee” Steps. This step is the mixture of "chugs"(drags) and brushes. This form is said to get its fame by the scintillating performances of The Fiddle Puppet Dancers, or Green Grass Cloggers. Those grpoups became popular during 1980’s.

One of the most popular dance steps in clog dancing is “Walking Step”. Walking steps are performed like general walking that we do everyday. While walking, our lower body is in locomotion whereas upper portion of the body remains static. Walking steps contain following styles like:

Two Sound Walking Step (Pull step):

Pull Step requires the performer to put stress by concentrating body weight on one foot. On the upbeat, the dancer taps on that foot. On the down beat, weight is shifted on the other foot but taking a step. Again the weight bearing foot is tapped on the upbeat and the process is repeated keeping knees straight on the tap and bending while stepping. However, the non tapping leg’s knee is bent and forward raised during tap.

Three Sound Walking Step:

Like pull step, in this style, body’s upward and downward movement is similar. Here, you need to drag or chug back with the addition of toe brush back with the help of your free leg during the interval of chug and step. While your body rose on toe brush position, simultaneously you have to bent and lift your knee of the free leg in the front position during dragging (chuck) back. While dropping the knee, toe will be brushed on the floor. Then you have to perform flat foot step.