Tap is one of the most popular forms of dance in the world. Yet tap dancers often experiences problems or injuries in their hips, backs, legs and especially their ankles. That means that those dancers who focus on tap need to find ways to prevent ankle injuries. Even a minor ankle injury can cause a dancer to sit on the sidelines for weeks or even months. To prevent ankle injuries in tap, dancers need to keep an eye on the position of their feet and avoid using too much pressure in their moves.
Instructions
1. Practice placing your feet in the proper position prior to stepping on the dance floor. The only way you can ensure that you’re using your feet correctly is to keep practicing.
2. Exercise often to make sure you are keeping your feet straight and not bending your ankles outward or inward. A bend in the ankle is the number one reason for ankle injuries in tap dancers.
3. Use a stretchy exercise band to increase your ankle strength. The stronger your ankles are, the less likely you are to experience an injury.
4. Dance only on the appropriate type of floor, preferably a flooring that is flexible or has some give to it. A hard flooring can cause damage to your ankles by not providing a cushion for your dancing.
5. Wear the proper type of foot ware for your dancing. You should always use your tap dancing shoes when dancing rather than regular street shoes.
