Michael Jackson first did the moonwalk in 1983, but even though he made the moonwalk famous, he wasn't the first to do it. Anyone can do it, so give it a try yourself!
Steps
Step 1. You can moonwalk with any type of shoes, even mountaineering boots, but if you're just starting out, make sure you have as little friction as possible
You can even start on your socks so that you can slide well on the floor.
Step 2. Go to the moon
Again, smoothness is important, including on the floor. The moonwalk is possible on all surfaces, but it is easier on a smooth, flat surface. Dance floors are ideal, but it can also be used on most kitchen floors. Do not do it on a rough or uneven surface.
Step 3. Get into L position Lift your right leg and place the toes of your right foot flat on the floor about 12 inches behind your left leg
Step 4. Find your balance by increasing the distance between your feet (in width) until it feels stable
It usually works well if you keep about the width of 1 foot between your feet.
Step 5. Slide your left heel back and "into" the floor (supporting on your right leg) so that your left foot ends behind your right leg
The heel of your right foot should remain in the air and your toes flat on the floor during this movement.
Step 6. Move your left heel up quickly while simultaneously moving your right heel down quickly
Now you are back in the L position, but with your feet the other way around.
Step 7. Repeat the previous two steps, but with the feet reversed
Step 8. Move your head to create the illusion of a "moonwalk"
As your left leg slides back, move your head forward as if it were not keeping up with the movement of your leg. Pull your head back to your body as you switch to your other foot.
Tips
- Move your arms as if you were walking normally. As your left leg slides back, your right arm moves forward, and vice versa. A variation is the moonwalk with your hands in your pockets.
- Your toes are allowed never come of the ground.
- Start by practicing the individual moves slowly. Once you have mastered the movements, you can accelerate. But always stay sharp.
- A few mirrors can be useful to see how it looks (one in the front and one on the side).
- Show it to a friend if you think you've mastered it before performing with it.
- A historical fact: the original name was not the moonwalk, but the "back slide". In Michael Jackson's time, the media wrote of the move as "the moonwalk" and it stuck.
- Once you get the hang of it, you can try some variations like the moonwalk in place or the moonwalk forward. The trick here is to exaggerate steps 3 and 4 and synchronize the rest of your body so that it looks like you're walking backwards as you move forward.
- Look at people doing the moonwalk. It gets a lot easier when you see other people doing it. Ask someone who can already do it for advice. Watch some videos of Michael Jackson or other people doing the moonwalk.
- It may help to hold on to a stable object before doing it with free hands.