How to Do the Hoedown Throwdown

Last Updated: April 22, 2022

The Hoedown Throwdown is a song sung by popstar Miley Cyrus and features in her 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie. This dance that accompanies the song is an interesting mix of country and hip-hop dancing, and is very fun to do! Start with Step 1 below for detailed instructions on how to do the Hoedown Throwdown dance, and watch the YouTube video of Miley and her choreographer (which you'll find under the steps below) to help you figure out some of the more complicated moves.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Dancing Along to the Verse

1
Clap along. When the song begins and Miley is singing "boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap" just clap along in time with the music. The dancing doesn't start until the lyrics kick in. Are you ready?
2
Pop it, lock it. When Miley sings "pop it" extend your left arm out in front of you, at shoulder height, as far as it will go.
- When she sings "lock it" drop down to your right, bending your knees.
- At the same time, hold your elbows out from your body - almost like you're pretending to have chicken wings!
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3
Polka dot it. Now, on "polka dot it" shuffle to the left, taking two steps. As you shuffle, point the index finger on your right hand and waggle it from side to side, in time with your shuffling.
4
Countrify it. Tuck your thumbs into your belt (real or imaginary) then on "country", point the heel of your right foot and on "fy", point the heel of your left. It helps to imagine you're wearing cowboy boots!
5
Hip-hop it. Turn your body so you're facing slightly towards the left. On "hip" kick out with your right foot and cross your arms in front of you.
- On "hop" pull your leg and arms back in, so you're standing up straight with your hands on your hips.
- On "it" bend your knees and hunch your shoulders forward, keeping your hands on your hips.
6
Put your hawk in the sky. When Miley says "put your hawk", step sideways with your right foot. As you step, cross your arms in front of you so your right hand is resting on your left elbow and your left hand is resting on your right elbow.
- Then on "in the sky" lift your hands from your elbows (but keep your arms crossed) so your hands look like the wings of a bird.
- At the same time, kick your left foot out in front of you (when your hands are making the wing shape) then bring it back in to meet your right foot.
7
Move side to side. Keeping your arms crossed in front of you, lean from side to side - first to the left, then to the right.
8
Jump to the left. On the word "jump", turn slightly to the right and scoop your left foot in front of you.
- Jump off the ground and turn in the air, so that when you land on your left foot, you are facing slightly towards the left.
- On the word "left" place your right foot down on the ground, extended in front of your left.
9
Stick it, glide. On the phrase "stick it", bring your left foot up to meet your right and stomp it down on the ground, firmly placing your hands at your sides.
- On "glide", step your left foot backwards then glide your right foot along the floor to join it.
- As you glide, push your right arm out in front of you, away from your body.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Dancing Along to the Chorus

1
Zig-zag. Stand up straight, lift your right leg, cross it over your left and touch your toe off the ground. Then move your leg out to the right and touch your toe off the ground again. Bend your right knee and lift your leg behind you, while leaning back with your left hand to touch your foot.
2
Across the floor. Take two steps towards the right.
3
Shuffle in diagonal. As Miley sings "shuffle in", face slightly towards the left and take two steps backward, diagonally.
- As you do this, bend your arms at the elbows and bring them up and down - they should be facing up when you're stepping with your left foot and down when you're stepping with your right.
- When Miley sings the word "diagonal", turn to face slightly towards the right and take two more diagonal steps backwards, this time leading with the right foot. Don't forget the arms.
4
Hit the drum. Here's an easy one. "When the drum hits", kick out with your left foot and punch out with your right arm. Then repeat, this time kicking with your right foot and punching with your left arm.
5
Hands on your hips. Step your feet together and place your hands on your hips.
6
Do a one-footed 180° twist. On "one-footed", swing your upper body towards the right, then follow with your feet so you're facing towards the back of the room.
- Then when you hear "180° twist" hop three times on your left foot until you're facing the front again. Lift your arms up to the sides (with your elbows bent) as you hop.
- When you reach the front, stamp your right foot down and straighten your arms by your side.
7
Zig-zag, step and slide. Repeat the same zig-zag move you did at the start of the chorus.
- After you've touched your right foot with your hand, place your right foot down on the word "step".
- On the word "slide" take a step towards the left, and drag your right foot towards you.
- Your body should be pointing towards the right corner of the room.
8
Lean it left. On the word "lean" punch with your left hand, on the word "it" punch with your right. Then, on the word "left" snap the fingers on your left hand, throw your head backwards and bend your right knee so only your toes are touching the floor.
9
Clap three times. Pretty self explanatory! On the word "clap" lean forwards towards your right knee and clap down low. On the word "three" clap at chest level and on the word "times" clap above your head.
10
Shake it out, head to toe. As Miley sings "shake it out" turn towards the left and do a full 360 degree spin, shaking out your body as you go.
11
Throw it all together, that's how we roll. On "throw it all together", take a step forward with your left foot, then bend your knees as you lean forward and throw your right arm out in front of you.
- When you hear "that's how we roll" step backwards with your right foot, followed by your left. On the word "roll" throw your hands up.
12
Keep repeating the moves. So that's all the moves to the Hoedown Throwdown! Now you know what you're doing, you can just keep repeating the steps for the rest of the song. Have fun!