That is flatfoot dancing.

These are some very good descriptions I got from some source a few years ago, but don't currently have a reference as to exactly where they came from. This is pretty accurate though to describe the differences in the various styles of dancing. Clogging: Often used specifically to refer to "precision clogging", rehearsed, choreographed, often performed by teams in set routines. There are team competitions in precision clogging in many states, with costumes and required steps, etc. Performed with tap shoes. Closer to tap dance or Irish step-dance. Includes high kicks and flashy steps aimed to please a viewing audience. Flatfooting: Traditionally an improvisatory individual dance (rather than team/choreographed). Emphasis is on "playing the tune" with your feet to the rhythm and music, rather than for visual impact. Feet are kept close to the ground allowing intricate fast rhythms with minimal effort, and usually done without taps on shoes. Flatfooting is sometimes thought of as "old-time" compared to clogging's "bluegrass". Buck Dancing: A general term that means any type of solo freestyle dancing, whether done with traditional flatfooting steps, clogging steps, or spontaneously improvised.

It's similar, but there are some subtle differences. Flatfoot dancers usually dance with an up-and-down body motion and tend to make the most sounds with their heels. Their movements are typically more flatfooted than tap dancers. On the other hand, tap dancers stay light on their feet and tend to dance to the melodies of music, rather than to the beats.

Could be either. People can learn it in various ways. There are people who teach it, and there are DVDs available with flatfooting lessons. One really good one is by Ira Bernstein - I think it's available on-line. There are also workshops around by various instructors, for example at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival (where this video was recorded), they have daily workshops during their annual festival. Also, lots of people just learn on their own by watching others.

fltftdncr Thanks for the speedy reply! I live in California so I never got to see any of these dances but since late last year, I have been intrigued and even started researching its roots. I'm so happy that there are Americans keeping the traditional dance and music alive. Without videos like this I would have thought it was something only done at amusement parks (I don't mean that in a rude way, it's just the only so called "traditional" dance I've seen here in San Francisco is dirty hippies dancing in Golden Gate Park). Thank you much for the upload! I really enjoyed it!

Ca you point me to some DVD's I could buy. Thanks

Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax Va 2nd week in August.

@Luis....Arkansas Traveler....

These were the winners by age category. 15 years of age and under: 1st place - Rebecca Molaro, Asheville, N.C. 2nd place - Jeffrey Amundsen, Longwood, Fla. 3rd place - Lulu Furtado, Front Royal, Va. 16 years of age through 40: 1st place - Becky Hill, Elkins, W.Va. 2nd place - Josephine Stewart, Charlottesville, Va. 3rd place - Emily Pinkerton, Pittsburgh, Pa. 41 years of age through 59: 1st place - Jay Bland, Kennesaw, Ga. 2nd place - Sharon Leahy, Spring Valley, Ohio 3rd place - Jan Scopel, Annapolis, Md. 60 years of age and older: 1st place - Marilyn Branch, Kalamazoo, Mich. 2nd place - Maureen Terman, Morgantown, W.Va. 3rd place - Jim O’Bermeyer, Crown Point, Ind.