Master the Percolator Dance: A Step-by-Step Footwork Guide

The Percolator Dance is characterized by its unique and engaging footwork. Often described as having three distinct movements, mastering these steps can add flair to your dance repertoire. Let’s break down each of these footwork variations, starting with the easiest to grasp and progressing to the more challenging ones.

Getting Started with the Scissor Step

Considered the third and most straightforward footwork in the percolator dance, the scissor step is a foundational movement. It simply involves a back-and-forth crossing motion of your legs, reminiscent of scissors in action.

To execute this step:

1. Begin by standing on the ball of your right foot.
2. Bend your left leg and bring your left foot behind your right leg, ensuring it doesn’t touch the ground.
3. Kick your left leg out to the side.
4. Switch your weight to the ball of your left foot.
5. Bend your right leg and bring your right foot behind your left leg, again avoiding ground contact.
6. Kick your right leg out to the side.
7. Continue alternating legs in this manner, creating a continuous scissor-like movement.

This step provides a solid base for understanding the rhythmic nature of the percolator dance.

Exploring the Basic Percolator Footwork

Moving onto the first footwork variation, we encounter what could be considered the “basic” percolator step. This movement introduces a bit more complexity and requires a slight bounce or spring in your step.

Here’s how to perform the first footwork:

1. Start on the ball of your right foot.
2. Bend your left leg and cross your left foot behind your right leg, keeping it off the ground.
3. Kick your left leg out to the side.
4. Immediately switch to the ball of your left foot, as you bring your right leg to bend and cross behind your left leg (again, no ground contact).
5. Kick your right leg out to the side.
6. Keep alternating between legs, maintaining a light, bouncy rhythm as you execute each crossing and kick-out motion.

This footwork begins to incorporate the subtle shifts in weight and timing that are key to the percolator dance style.

Tackling the Rhythmic Hop: The Second Footwork

The second footwork is often cited as the most challenging of the three, primarily due to its rhythmic complexity. It requires a sense of syncopation, almost like a “Ba-dum Ba-dum” beat or a sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note in musical terms. This step will feel like it involves more hopping and a quicker tempo.

Let’s break down the second footwork:

1. Hop lightly onto the ball of your right foot.
2. Immediately follow by crossing your left foot over in front of your right leg (still on the ball of your right foot).
3. Jump your right foot slightly to the side while simultaneously extending your left foot and lightly touching your heel to the ground to the side.
4. Hop lightly onto the ball of your left foot.
5. Immediately follow by crossing your right foot over in front of your left leg (still on the ball of your left foot).
6. Jump your left foot slightly to the side while extending your right foot and lightly touching your heel to the ground to the side.
7. Continue this sequence, maintaining the rhythmic hop and alternating sides. Remember to stay primarily on the balls of your feet throughout, except for the brief heel touches.

This second footwork adds a dynamic rhythmic element that truly embodies the energy of the percolator dance.

Putting It All Together

By understanding and practicing these three distinct footwork variations, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the percolator dance. Whether you’re in a dance class, at a social gathering, or just practicing at home, these steps provide a foundation for expressing yourself through movement. Don’t be afraid to experiment with each footwork, find your rhythm, and most importantly, have fun with the percolator dance!