Tic Tacs

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.

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.

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.

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.