Maxie Ford

The Maxie Ford is a tap dance step consisting of four movements: step, shuffle, leap, toe.

To perform a basic Maxie Ford starting with the right foot:

step on the right foot (1)

shuffle with the left IN from back L (&2)

leap to the left foot (in place of the R foot - weight changes from right to left foot) (&)

tap the tip of the right toe on the floor in back (3)

The Maxie Ford is famous for its use of the pullback (or graboff) after the shuffle and best known as the Maxie Ford Break: 2 executions of the basic Maxie Ford and a stamp:

Standard Maxie Ford Break:

(1) stamp+ R forward, (&2&a3) shuffle L IN from back L, pull R, land flat on L in place of R, toe R straight back (4) stamp+ R forward (in place of L foot) (&5&a6)shuffle L IN from back L, pull R, land flat on L in place of R, toe R straight back (7)stamp R forward (in place of L foot) - L leg extended in back

This form of the Maxie Ford Break is standard use (see the Nicholas Brothers, Henry LeTang and almost every tap teacher)

Professional Maxie Ford Break:

(1) stamp+ R forward (&2&a3)shuffle L IN from back L, pull R, land flat on L in place of R, toe R straight back (&4) pull L, stamp+ R forward (in place of L foot) (&5&a6) shuffle L IN from back L, pull R, land flat on L in place of R, toe R straight back (&7) pull L, stamp R forward (in place of L foot) - L leg extended in back

This form of the Maxie Ford Break provides an additional pullback after the toe and was a favourite of many dancers (Gene Kelly, the Nicholas Brothers, Coles & Atkins, The Four Step Brothers, Tip, Tap & Toe etc.)

Maxie Fords may also be done turning across the floor, such that each one is performed in a single rotation (with or without the pullback).