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Street dance6 minutes

Learn Shaku Shaku: Dance sideways without drifting off

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In short
  • You practise a side-to-side sequence of steps and light taps without shifting your weight.
  • Over eight counts, you return twice instead of continuing to travel sideways with every step.
  • Soft knees and loosely crossed forearms accompany the weight shifts, without raising your shoulders.
  • The exercise draws on Shaku Shaku from Nigeria’s street and club dance scene, without claiming there is a definitive basic step.

A short dance clip doesn't show how much space the movement actually needs. But as soon as you dance next to others, it matters whether you bring your side step back or unknowingly drift into their space.

What you need for the side-step sequence

  • Level, dry surface with no tripping hazards
  • Sneakers with a secure fit and comfortable everyday clothes
  • Two flat markers placed outside your footpaths
  • Music with a steady, audible beat
  • Stand without pain, with your knees slightly bent

The side-to-side sequence is a learning aid, not a fixed pattern

Shaku Shaku became especially well known in the second half of the 2010s through Lagos's street and club dance scene and Nigerian music videos. The dance is part of the world of Nigerian Afrobeats and street pop music. Loosely crossed arms in front of the body and springy leg movements with a sideways accent are among its recognizable motifs. Variations differ between dancers and musical situations.

This guide focuses on a single spatial element: moving to the right and retracing the same path to the left. The eight counts structure your practice, they are not a prescribed Shaku Shaku choreography. Extra foot accents and arm variations are deliberately left out. This lets you first learn to keep your movement within a small space.

The key is the difference between a step and a tap: a step takes your body weight, while a tap only touches the floor. If both feet stay weighted when you tap, the next change of direction gets stuck. This principle also explains the guide to clear weight changes in the Rock Step, even though its movement sequence is different. When practicing sideways, this means your free foot stays available, while your chest and head can follow your supporting leg. You don't need to tilt your upper body sideways or make a big hip movement.

A visible boundary makes small deviations noticeable before they bother others on a crowded dance floor.
A visible boundary makes small deviations noticeable before they bother others on a crowded dance floor.

Practice the side-step sequence in eight counts

  1. Mark out the side practice area

    Mark the left and right boundaries of an area with enough room to comfortably take a small side step and return. Stand between them and remember your starting point by using a floor seam or a fixed point in front of you.

  2. Make your left leg your supporting leg

    Place your feet about hip-width apart and bend your knees slightly. Shift your weight to the left until you can briefly lift your right foot without tipping to the side. Let your arms hang relaxed for now.

  3. Step right and tap left

    On “one,” take a small step to the side with your right foot and transfer your weight fully. On “two,” tap your left foot near your right foot without putting weight on it. Keep your knees soft and your gaze forward.

  4. Return to the starting point on the left

    On “three,” step your left foot back toward the starting point and transfer your weight onto it. On “four,” tap your right foot next to it without putting weight on it. You’re now roughly where you started, and you can move your right foot freely again.

  5. Repeat the return path through eight

    Repeat right step, left tap on “five, six” and left step, right tap on “seven, eight”. Say the directions out loud as you go. After eight, you should be at the starting point without needing an extra corrective step.

  6. Rest your forearms loosely in front

    Let the sequence keep going and cross your forearms loosely in front of your torso, with your shoulders down and your hands relaxed. Let your arms bounce along with your body. If your return path gets imprecise, make your steps smaller first instead of stiffening your arm position.

  7. Move through to the beat and assess

    First count along for eight beats while the music is playing, then dance two eight-count sequences without pausing. Each step or tap lands on a beat. Then stop: Are you still at the starting point, and have you avoided touching both side boundaries?

Switch sides without sidestepping

Do it like this

  • Take the side step within your boundary
  • During the tap, briefly touch the floor with your free foot
  • Move your knee in the same direction as your toe
  • Let your upper body follow your standing leg

Not like this

  • Extend every side step beyond your range
  • Leave your weight centered between both feet on the tap
  • Push your knee inward while keeping your foot planted
  • Let your upper body hang and just push your foot out

Check off your short session

Before the First Run-Through

Setup

After the slow run-through

Control

After a run-through with music

Result

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Nigerian Afrobeats and street pop tracks with a clearly audible, steady beat work well for practice. Start with a section that has no long breaks or sudden tempo changes. Count the beats, not the individual syllables in the vocals: a fast vocal phrase does not automatically mean you should move your feet faster.

Street Dance Classes for Your Continued Training

On udansa, you'll find Street Dance classes to keep practicing your weight shifts and rhythmic coordination.

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Practice changing sides together

On udansa connect, you can find people to practice with. Arrange short Shaku-Shaku run-throughs where you dance side by side and give each other feedback on how much space you need to the side.

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Practice changing sides together

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