Shim Sham

Description

The Shim Sham is a whole routine, not a single step. It has four steps - the Shim Sham (double shuffle) step, Push and Cross, Tacky Annie and the Half Break - and each is danced three times and then followed by a break. The count here is the opening step: stomp, spank, step with the right, the same with the left, stomp, spank and a quick ball change with the right, then stomp, spank, step with the right. That is 13 sounds over eight counts with the weight changing on every step, and the next repeat starts on the left.

Breakdown

1. Stomp
2. Spank
3. Step
4. Stomp
5. Spank
6. Step
7. Stomp
8. Spank
9. Ball Change
10. Stomp
11. Spank
12. Step

Practice Tips

• Relax your ankles on the stomps so the whole foot lands flat and gives one clean sound.
• Keep every stomp weightless - the same foot has to spank straight away, so if you settle onto it you will be late.