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The Ultimate 7-Step 'Boots On The Ground' Line Dance Tutorial For Beginners (2025 Update)

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Step onto the dance floor with confidence! As of December 21, 2025, the "Boots on the Ground" line dance remains one of the most popular and energetic routines in the global Soul Line Dance community. Moving far beyond a simple viral sensation, this 32-count, 4-wall dance is a cultural staple, celebrated for its infectious rhythm and connection to the vibrant Black Cowboy and Trailride culture. This comprehensive tutorial provides the freshest, step-by-step instructions to help you master the routine choreographed by the legendary Tre Little.

The beauty of "Boots on the Ground" lies in its beginner-friendly structure, making it accessible to dancers of all skill levels. Whether you are new to the world of line dancing or looking to add a fresh routine to your repertoire, this guide will walk you through every count, turn, and sway so you can hit the floor with the spirit of the South Carolina-based hit song by 803Fresh.

Choreographer and Music Profile: Tre Little and 803Fresh

The "Boots on the Ground" phenomenon is the result of a powerful collaboration between two key figures in the Southern soul and line dance scene.

  • Choreographer: Jaterrious Trésean Little, universally known as Tre Little.
  • Affiliation: Tre Little is the founder of the dance group Dem Kuntry Folks, a collective known for popularizing Soul Line Dance routines across the Southern United States.
  • Choreography Style: His style is often described as "Trailride Dance," a genre that fuses traditional line dance structure with the cultural movements of socialized horseback processional events, particularly popular in the Black community.
  • Artist/Song: 803Fresh, a South Carolina-based artist, is the voice behind the hit song "Boots On The Ground." The title "803Fresh" refers to the area code for Columbia, South Carolina, highlighting its regional roots.
  • Dance Level: The original "Boots on the Ground" routine is widely categorized as a Beginner or High Beginner line dance.
  • Counts and Walls: The routine is a 32-Count, 4-Wall dance, meaning the sequence of steps is 32 beats long, and the dancers turn to face a new wall (front, right, back, left) after completing each 32-count sequence.

The 32-Count Breakdown: Boots on the Ground Step-by-Step Tutorial

This tutorial focuses on the most common and popular 32-count, 4-wall Soul Line Dance version, often performed with the signature Clacker Fan. Remember to start facing the front wall (12 o’clock).

Part 1: Sways and Taps (Counts 1-8)

This opening sequence sets the rhythmic foundation for the entire dance. It involves fluid side movements followed by sharp footwork.

  • Counts 1-2: Side Sways (Right, Left)
    Sway your body and step out to the right (Count 1), then sway and step back to the left (Count 2).
  • Counts 3&4: Side Sways (Right, Left, Right)
    Sway right again (Count 3), left (&), and finish with a final sway right (Count 4). This is the "Single, Single, Double" sway pattern.
  • Counts 5-8: Right Foot Taps and Step Points
    Tap your right heel forward (Count 5), then tap your right toe back (Count 6). Step your right foot forward (Count 7), and touch your left toe beside your right foot (Count 8).

Part 2: Heel Hooks and Coasters (Counts 9-16)

This section introduces the iconic heel-hook movement and a classic line dance Coaster Step.

  • Counts 9-10: Left Heel Hooks
    Tap your left heel forward (Count 9), then hook your left heel up to your right knee (&). Tap your left heel down (Count 10).
  • Counts 11&12: Step-Point-Step
    Step onto your left foot (&). Point your right toe out to the side (Count 11). Bring your right foot back in (&).
  • Counts 13-16: Coaster Step and Full Turn
    Step back on your right foot (Count 13), step left beside right (&), step forward on right (Count 14). This is a Coaster Step. Now, make a full 360-degree turn over your left shoulder (Counts 15-16), finishing on the new wall (facing 9 o’clock).

Part 3: Kicks and Slides (Counts 17-24)

The energy picks up here with a series of kicks and a traveling shuffle or slide move.

  • Counts 17-18: Right Kick and Step
    Kick your right foot forward (Count 17). Step down on your right foot (Count 18).
  • Counts 19&20: Left Kick and Step
    Kick your left foot forward (Count 19). Step down on your left foot (Count 20).
  • Counts 21-24: Shuffle/Slide Forward
    Step forward on your right (Count 21), step left beside right (&), step forward on right (Count 22). This is a Shuffle Forward. Repeat the shuffle forward with the left foot: step left (Count 23), step right beside left (&), step forward on left (Count 24).

Part 4: Grapevine and Stomps (Counts 25-32)

The final section is a classic Grapevine move, setting you up for the wall change.

  • Counts 25-28: Right Grapevine with Stomp
    Step right to the side (Count 25). Step left behind right (Count 26). Step right to the side (Count 27). Stomp your left foot next to your right (Count 28).
  • Counts 29-32: Left Grapevine with Stomp and Wall Change
    Step left to the side (Count 29). Step right behind left (Count 30). Step left to the side (Count 31). Stomp your right foot next to your left (Count 32).

You are now facing the next wall (6 o’clock) and ready to repeat the entire 32-count sequence. The key to mastering the dance is maintaining a smooth flow, especially during the sways and shuffles, and keeping your "Boots on the Ground" with sharp stomps!

The Cultural Significance: Soul, Trailrides, and the Clacker Fan

Understanding the context of "Boots on the Ground" elevates it from a simple set of steps to a genuine cultural experience. This dance is a vital part of the contemporary Soul Line Dance movement.

Soul Line Dance vs. Country Line Dance

While traditional Country Line Dancing is typically performed to Country Western music, Soul Line Dancing is a distinct genre that uses R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, and contemporary Soul music. Dances like "Boots on the Ground," "The Wobble," "Cupid Shuffle," and the "Cha Cha Slide" are foundational to the Soul Line Dance repertoire. It’s a genre that has been embraced and popularized by the Black community, taking the basic structure of line dancing and infusing it with a unique, energetic, and soulful flair.

The Trailride Connection

Tre Little’s choreography is deeply rooted in the Trailride Line Dancing culture. Trail rides are social events, often involving Black cowboys and cowgirls, where horseback processions lead to social gatherings and parties. The dances performed at these events, like "Boots on the Ground," are designed to be fun, communal, and expressive, celebrating Black Cowboy joy and camaraderie.

"Where Them Fans At?": The Clacker Fan Element

One of the most distinctive and visually striking elements of the "Boots on the Ground" dance is the use of the Clacker Fan. Throughout the song, 803Fresh calls out the phrase, "Where them fans at?" This is a cue for dancers to pull out a large, often colorful, folding hand fan and incorporate its rhythmic, clacking sound into the routine. The fan adds a layer of flair, drama, and personality, turning the dance into a full-body performance that is both auditory and visual. The fan is not just a prop; it’s a symbol of the dance's expressive and celebratory nature.

In a deeper sense, the dance has been interpreted as more than just entertainment. Some cultural commentators view the "Boots on the Ground" movement as carrying a hidden message of collective healing, resistance, and finding rest within a community, making its viral success a powerful cultural statement.

Tips for Mastering Boots on the Ground

To truly own this dance, focus on these key elements:

  1. Rhythm is Key: The tempo of 803Fresh’s song is crucial. Practice the steps slowly to the beat first, paying close attention to the syncopated (&) counts.
  2. Ground Your Moves: The title "Boots on the Ground" suggests sharp, deliberate footwork. Make your stomps and taps clean and audible.
  3. Embrace the Flair: Don’t be afraid to add your own personality. The sways should be fluid, and if you have a clacker fan, use it with confidence to enhance the performance.
  4. Watch Tre Little: Search for instructional videos by Tre Little or Dem Kuntry Folks to see the original intention and styling of the choreography.

By following this updated 2025 tutorial, you are not just learning a line dance; you are participating in a vibrant, ongoing cultural tradition. Grab your boots, find your rhythm, and get ready to hit the floor!

The Ultimate 7-Step 'Boots on the Ground' Line Dance Tutorial for Beginners (2025 Update)
boots on the ground line dance tutorial
boots on the ground line dance tutorial

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