Line Dance · Beginner

Slap Leather

A 90s classic with the boot slaps that give it the name.

Line Dance Tutorial (Beginner) · Slappin' Leather

We did not make this video — we found the clearest one and linked it. There is no single official version of most line dances, so we are filming the version taught on West Michigan floors with local instructors. Teach it here?

Level

BeginnerGayle Brandon’s sheet

Danced to

VariousVarious

Structure

42 count4 walls

This version choreographed by

Gayle Brandon

Most standards have been choreographed several ways. The steps below follow this choreographer’s sheet; we credit them and link it rather than reprinting it. Their step sheet on CopperKnob

The cheat sheet

What you are walking into

Exactly what the name says — there is slapping involved, and it is the fun part.

What catches people out

The slaps are on specific counts. Slapping whenever feels right puts you off the beat within one round.

How to get through it

Get the footwork first and add the slaps second. Doing both at once from cold rarely works.

Moves it leans on

Grapevine Heel Dig Scuff Stomp Lock Step Heel Split

These are ours, written for someone who has not danced it yet — not a step sheet. For exact counts, see the choreographer's sheet linked above, or come to a night and let someone teach you.

How it goes

42 counts · 4 walls · Beginner

Documented as the version danced in New England since the 1990s. Forty-two counts and a lot of slapping — the choreographer's own closing line is 'repeat if pulse rate permits.'

1–4

Heel splits

Feet together. Swivel your heels apart and back in. Do it twice.

5–12

Heel touches

Touch your right heel forward on the diagonal, step it in. Same on the left. Then the whole thing again.

13–16

Heel, heel, toe, toe

Touch your right heel forward twice, then your right toe back twice.

17–22

The slaps begin

Touch your right heel forward, then your toe to the side. Lift the right behind your left leg and slap the heel with your left hand. Touch the toe out again. Lift it in front and slap again. Then pivot a quarter left on your left foot and flick the right out, slapping with your right hand.

23–30

Vine right, slap, vine left, slap

Vine right and slap your left heel behind with your right hand. Vine left and slap your right heel with your left hand.

31–38

Back three, slap, forward, back

Three steps back, then slap your left heel in front with your right hand. Step forward left and slap your right heel behind. Step back right and slap your left heel in front.

39–42

Lock and stomp

Step forward left, lock your right behind it, step forward left, stomp your right in beside it.

Written in our own words from the most-voted step sheet, so you can read it before you go. It is not the choreographer’s own notation — for that, see their sheet. Most of these dances have several versions; your room may do a different one.

Go dance this week

We do not claim to know which night plays which song. What we do know is where country dancing happens — here are three of the region's nights, and the calendar has the rest.

Stomp
Verified

Saturday · Spring Lake