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Two Methods:Getting ReadyDoing the Moonwalk

Michael Jackson debuted his famous "moonwalk" in 1983, but put his own spin on it. He wasn’t the first person to perform this move. Anybody can pull it off, so what's stopping you? If you want to know how to dance "Billie Jean" like a pro, just follow these steps to become a moonwalk master.


Method 1 of 2: Getting Ready

  1. 1
    Put on a pair of socks. Though you can moonwalk in anything, even hiking boots, you should have as little traction as possible as a beginner. Wearing socks will make it much easier for you to practice your moves and to glide across the floor.
    • When you become a pro, you can even master this move with sneakers! That may seem impossible at first.
  2. 2
    Find a smooth surface. Once again, smoothness is key, and while you can try it anywhere, it helps to be on a smooth, flat, non-stick surface, such as a hardwood floor or a smooth-tiled floor. Most dance floors will work, of course, but so will most kitchen floors. Stay away from rough or uneven surfaces or carpeted areas.
    • If you don't have any smooth surfaces in your home, then you're better off using shoes on a rough surface than socks.
    • When you're an expert, you'll even be able to practice on a carpet.

Method 2 of 2: Doing the Moonwalk

  1. 1
    Place one foot directly in front of the other and stand on the toes of your back leg. Then, lift your right leg and place the toes of your right foot facing the floor, approximately a foot behind your left leg. Keep your arms at your sides -- you can worry about them later. Keep your left foot flat on the ground.
  2. 2
    Keep your balance. You can do this by increasing the width between your legs and feet until you feel stable. A good rule of thumb is to have them about 3-6 inches (the width of one of your feet) apart. As you get more comfortable with this move, you can do the moonwalk with your legs closer together. You can lift your arms a bit if that helps you keep your balance as you move backward.
  3. 3
    Slide your left heel back and "into" the floor. Do this as you lean back on your right leg so that your left foot finishes behind the right leg. During this, the heel of your right foot should still remain in the air, with the toes pointed down on the floor. Put all of the weight into your lifted leg, so the leg that is flat on the floor feels weightless.
  4. 4
    Snap the heel of your left foot up off the floor as you simultaneously snap the heel of your right foot down. Now you are in the same position you started with, only your feet have changed positions. Your right foot should now be in front of your left leg instead of the other way around. To do the moonwalk correctly, only one of your feet should be in the air at any given time. Always one; never two, and never zero.
  5. 5
    Repeat the previous two steps, switching the roles of your left and right foot. The moonwalk can really be mastered by perfecting these movements over and over, until it looks like you're really walking on the moon and when your feet are really moving back and back smoothly, without any kinks.
  6. 6
    Add some frills. Add a head movement to help create the illusion of "moonwalking." As you slide your leg back, move your head forward as if it's being left behind in the movement. Then pull it back to the body as you switch to the other foot.
    • You can also swing your arms with every step, or hunch over your shoulders and grab your hat (if you're wearing one) like Michael Jackson did.
    • You can use your whole body to show that you're walking on the moon, not just your feet.

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  • The tips of your feet should never come up off the floor.
  • A historical factoid: The original name for this was not the moonwalk, but the "back slide". During the Michael Jackson era, the media mistakenly reported the name of this move as the Moonwalk and it stuck.
  • Practice as much as possible.
  • This technique is actually a combination of two different "walking in place" mime techniques - sometimes called the "pull walk" and the "pressure walk." Mastering these techniques separately can add to the ease and efficiency of your moonwalk.
  • It will probably help you to have a couple of mirrors (one in front of you and one to the side) to check how you look.
  • Practice with rhythmic music after learning.
  • Begin by slowly, methodically practicing the individual motions. Gradually build up your speed as you perfect the moves. Always be sure you’re making it crisp.
  • Once you think you've got it down, have a friend watch you and give you his or her honest opinion before trying it out at the club.
  • Once you get the classic backward movement down, you can progress to moonwalking in place, and then to moonwalking forwards. The trick to making this look right is to exaggerate the slide-and-snap part, and, of course, to synchronize the rest of your body so it looks like you are walking / sliding backwards though you are actually moving forwards.
  • If you're a beginner, start on soft surfaces and wear socks.
  • It helps when you have socks on.
  • It may be helpful to start out holding on to a stable object, and eventually do it hands free.
  • Swing your arms as if you're walking normally. As your left leg slides back, your right arm should swing forward, and vice versa. Another variation is to do the moonwalk with your hands in your pockets.
  • Watch people moonwalk. It’s a lot easier to moonwalk once you see someone else do it. If someone you know can moonwalk, watch them and ask for pointers. If none of your friends know how to moonwalk, though, great; you'll be the first. Check out some videos of Jackson or others moonwalking.


  • People inevitably associate moonwalking with Michael Jackson, and sometimes respond with astounding comments when they see it. Just remember, don't give up, keep trying.

Things You'll Need

  • A smooth surface (such as tiled floors)
  • A pair of soft dance shoes (or just an old pair of socks to start with)

Sources and Citations

Article Info

Categories: Breakdancing

In other languages:

Français: faire le Moonwalk, Italiano: Fare il Moonwalk, Español: hacer el moonwalk o paso lunar, Deutsch: Moonwalk machen, Nederlands: De moonwalk doen, Português: Fazer o Moonwalk, Русский: ходить лунной походкой, 中文: 跳太空舞步

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