Salsa
Tic Tacs
Also known as: Tic-Tac
A crisp solo footwork shine: the free foot taps out to the side and back on each beat like a metronome, the body staying tall while the feet tick away the rhythm.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
One of the staple NY shines — solo footwork danced with no hands. Each count, the free foot points out to the side and returns under the body, a clean side-tap-and-recover that you can chain in both directions to mark the rhythm of the song.
Lead & Follow It
There is no lead — this is a shine, so partners release the hands and each dances it solo. Keep the supporting leg strong and the upper body quiet; let the sharpness live in the ankle and foot, not in the hips swinging.
The Thing Almost Everyone Gets Wrong
Rushing the tap so it loses its edge. The tic-tac is about precision on the beat — a late, mushy tap reads as a stumble. Slow it down until every tap lands exactly on its count.
How It Connects
Drop into it from any shine break when the hands come apart, and catch the hands again on a strong beat to continue into the next pattern.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Musical use
- Level
- Intermediate
- Type
- Frame
- Style
Chains into
Layer this onto any move.
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Own Tic Tacs, then make it yours
This page is free, always. Your online coach goes further on every move you own — styling that makes it look like you, variations to keep it fresh, and how to hit it on the music.
- Styling
- Variations
- Musicality