Top 7 Irish Dance Moves Every Beginner Should Master

By DANIEL O’ SULLIVAN | September 2, 2025 |

dance

Irish dance is a joyful blend of precision, rhythm, energy, and tradition. If you’re just starting out, there’s something deeply satisfying about mastering foundational moves—you feel more connected to the music, more confident stepping onto the dance-floor, and more able to enjoy group dances or performances. Here are 7 essential Irish dance moves that every beginner should work on, what makes them important, and how The Irish Dance Party can help you practice them in a fun, supportive way.

1. The Over-2-3 (sometimes called “Over 2-3’s”)

What it is:

The Over 2-3 is a classic “soft shoe” move. It usually starts with a hop, then the other foot comes up behind (or in some versions next to) and then a “2-3” step sequence forwards or sideways. Essentially, the dancer hops on one foot, lifts the other behind, then steps onto that lifted foot (that’s “2”), then steps with the other foot (that’s “3”).

Why it’s so important:

  • It teaches weight transfer, hop control, and timing.
  • Many reel and light jig routines use Over-2-3s (or variations) a lot.
  • It builds muscle memory in your calves and ankles, which are crucial in nearly every Irish dance.

Tips to master it:

  • Start slowly. Make sure your hop is clean and your foot behind is pointed.
  • Use a mirror to check your alignment: toes pointed, knees not sloppily turned.
  • Practice both directions: Over-2-3 to the right, then to the left.

2. The Reel Step / Basic Reel Start

What it is:

The reel is one of the most common dance forms in Irish dancing. The “basic reel step” refers to a sequence of small, light, quick steps/hops that follow the rhythm of a reel. The feet stay relatively close, the steps are bright and fast, and you often include movements like hop/step, side steps, and sometimes “run around” or turning patterns when you progress.

Why it matters:

  • Reels are everywhere: in social dances, competitions, workshops, parties. Knowing a reel gets you involved.
  • It builds stamina, speed, and control. Starting a reel with clean basics means you can scale up faster.

Tips to master it:

  • Focus on the timing: reels are typically in 4/4 time (or something close).
  • Keep your feet turned out, toes pointed, knees close together.
  • Practice slowly to keep clarity, then gradually speed up.

3. Light Jig or Rising Jig Step

What it is:

The light jig (or rising jig) is a soft-shoe dance that has a bouncy, “rising” quality. The rising jig steps often involve hop + kick + hop steps, more lift, more bounce in contrast to the reel steps.

Why it’s important:

  • It introduces the idea of elevation (rising) in soft shoe; you learn to control how high and how lightly.
  • It gives you variation: it’s not just about speed, but also about how you move up and down with rhythm.

Tips to master it:

  • Lightness in the knees. Don’t lock your joints; let some spring.
  • Keep your posture upright. Lift through your core.
  • Listen carefully to the music: the jig has its own feel, slightly different from reel.

4. Treble / Heavy Shoe Treble Moves

What it is:

Treble steps are used in hard-shoe or “heavy shoe” dancing. They involve more percussive work with the shoes—stomps, clicks, trebles (double or multiple taps/stamps) that make noise. Beginners may start with simpler treble work (light treble) before moving into very complex patterns.

Why it’s important:

  • Heavy shoe adds a rhythmic dimension that soft shoes don’t: you’re not just following rhythm, you are helping create it.
  • Learning treble work early helps with strength (feet, ankles) and coordination.

Tips to master it:

  • Start with small, slow trebles. Let the sound be clear—don’t rush.
  • Make sure your weight is well balanced so that your stamps or taps are crisp.
  • Pay attention to how your heel or toe strikes the floor; often the clarity of “click” or “stamp” depends on precision of contact.

5. Shuffle / 3’s / Short 3’s

What it is:

Shuffles are quick forward-and-back steps or strokes of the foot (soft or hard shoes). “3’s” or “short 3’s” are patterns of three steps (or quick hops/steps) that add flair and rhythm. They are used as transitions, fills, or decorative steps in dances.

Why it’s important:

  • They build technical control: control of the foot, speed, and rhythm.
  • They help you decorate or colour your dancing; even basic reels or jigs are more interesting with clean shuffles or short 3’s.

Tips to master it:

  • Break them down slowly. Count carefully: 1-2-3, pause, then repeat.
  • Use a metronome or slow music to keep rhythm steady.
  • Watch how the foot lands, how much weight transfer is involved.

6. Landing on Your Toes / Relevé

What it is:

A concept rather than a “step” per se: staying high on your toes (or toe blocks, in hard shoe) as much as possible, especially in soft shoe dances. Relevé means rising up onto the balls of your feet or toes and maintaining that height through certain steps.

Why it’s important:

  • It gives lightness, elegance, and clarity to your dancing. Movements look more graceful.
  • It helps articulation of the foot and strength in calf and ankle.

Tips to master it:

  • Practice calves, ankle strengthening. Use rises and lowers off a step.
  • Use mirrors to check alignment: knees over toes, no collapsing of arches.
  • Gradually increase duration: hold relevé for short moments, then build up.

7. Strict Posture & Turnout (Feet Pointed Out, Head Up, Arms Controlled)

What it is:

This encompasses several linked technical elements:

  • Feet turned out (toes pointing outward rather than straight ahead)
  • Head and gaze held up
  • Back straight, shoulders rolled back, torso lifted
  • Arms down, often held behind or at sides, not flailing

Why it’s essential:

  • Irish dance has a distinctive look; posture and turnout contribute enormously to its style.
  • Good posture helps with balance, with endurance, and with how clean your steps (hops, kicks, etc.) appear.

Tips to master it:

  • Practice in front of the mirror. Be conscious of shoulders dropping or head tilting.
  • Do balance drills: standing on one foot, then switching, all while maintaining turnout, head up, shoulders back.
  • Stretch, strengthen core and hips. Flexibility in hip external rotation helps turnout.

How to Practice & Grow (With Fun)

Mastering these seven moves takes time, patience, and consistent practice. Here are some strategies to help you grow in a way that stays joyful (because Irish dance is, at its heart, fun!):

  1. Mix solo practice and group learning. Solo practice helps you focus on technique; group learning (classes, Irish Dance Party-type events) gives rhythm, timing, and social joy.
  2. Record yourself. Use your phone or mirror—sometimes you’ll see posture or foot alignment issues you didn’t notice.
  3. Slow to fast progression. Always start slow, getting clarity in each move, then speed up gradually.
  4. Listen to traditional music frequently. Let the rhythms, timing, and style sink in naturally—slowing, then speeding, matching your steps to the pulse of reels, jigs, etc.
  5. Be patient with your body. Some things (ankle strength, turnout, flexibility) take months, even years. Celebrate small improvements.

Why The Irish Dance Party Is Great for Beginners

If you are beginning or early in your journey, The Irish Dance Party offers something truly special. At an Irish Dance Party event, dancers often teach simple reels or group dances in 20-minute learning segments. We’ll often include Over-2-3s early on—so you can try them in real life, with music, with others. Also, watching live dancers perform them helps you see how speed, posture, and rhythm come together. Getting immediate feedback—seeing what you look like and hearing how clean a hop you make—helps speed up improvement.

It’s more than a performance; it’s an immersive experience:

  • Participation built in. At Irish Dance Party events, there are moments when you are taught dances (not just watching). That means you can try fundamental moves like Over-2-3s, reels, or shuffles in a friendly environment.
  • Live music & real atmosphere. Hearing live musicians reminds you of the pulse of the dance. It sharpens your timing and gives you cues that recorded music may not.
  • Supportive audience & camaraderie. Beginners are welcome. Seeing others learning, laughing, and joining in takes the pressure down.
  • Variety of dance styles & levels. From soft shoes to ceili dances, you’ll see many of the foundational moves you’re working on, so you can see what good form looks like in many contexts.

Final Thoughts

Starting to learn Irish dance can feel a bit overwhelming—there’s footwork, rhythm, shoes, music, posture. But focus on these seven moves first: Over-2-3s, basic reel step, light/jig rising steps, treble work, shuffles & short 3’s, staying high on toes, and especially posture & turnout. Get comfortable with them, and they become your foundation.

When you combine that practice with real, joyful, community-oriented experiences like The Irish Dance Party, your journey becomes richer, more connected, and way more fun. Because ultimately, Irish dance is not just about steps—it’s a way to move, laugh, belong, and feel part of something alive.

So lace up your soft shoes (or hard shoes if you have them), find a spot with good music, take it step by step, and enjoy every little hop, click, and rhythm along the way. Your feet are learning more than steps—they’re dancing into tradition.