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Flap: How to Do the Step, Count and Common Mistakes

Welcome to the Flap, a beginner staple in Tap Dance! Sometimes called a tap flap, this foundational move creates two distinct sounds by brushing forward and stepping onto the ball of your foot. You will run into this step early in your tap classes, as it forms the building block for running flaps and countless other combinations. Get ready to make some noise and find your rhythm!

Step card

Count
and-1 (two sounds)
Level
Beginner
Found in
Tap Dance
In short
A brush forward that lands on the ball of the foot

The timing

step (weight change) touch, kick or sound hold

How to do it

  1. Stand tall with your knees slightly bent and your weight on your left leg.
  2. Lift your right foot slightly behind you, ready to strike.
  3. On the 'and' count, swing your right foot forward to brush the ball of your foot against the floor without putting weight on it.
  4. On count '1', let your right foot strike the floor again, this time landing on the ball of the foot and shifting your weight onto it.
  5. Pick up your left foot to prepare for the next repetition.

Tips

  • Keep your ankles relaxed so the brush sounds clear and crisp.
  • Stay on the balls of your feet rather than dropping your heels to the floor.
  • Use your knees to drive the motion instead of swinging from your hips.

Common mistakes

  • Dropping the heel. Keep your weight centered over the balls of your feet so your heels stay lifted.
  • Stiff ankles. Loosen up your ankle joint to allow the foot to naturally strike and bounce off the floor.
  • Blending the sounds. Make sure to clearly separate the 'and' brush from the '1' step to hear two distinct taps.

Variations and practice

  • Practice walking flaps across the floor to build your speed and weight transfer skills.
  • Try running flaps, where you pick up the pace and add a slight hop to the step.
  • Combine a flap with a heel drop for a classic flap-heel combination.

Related steps

When to check in with a doctor or physical therapist

  • Pain in a knee, ankle or hip that sharpens when you turn, pivot or land
  • Dizziness, chest discomfort or unusual shortness of breath
  • Pain that is still there the next day or keeps coming back after practice

General information, not medical advice. If you have a heart, joint or balance condition, are pregnant or are returning after an injury, check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting a new dance workout.

How this page was made. Step data (count, timing pattern, level, styles) compiled by the Rhythm Desk from common teaching practice; counts can differ between teachers. Text drafted with AI assistance and checked by the Rhythm Desk; see how we write. Last checked October 2026.