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Side Shuffle with Floor Touch

Intermediate
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The Side Shuffle Floor Touch (also known as the Lateral Shuffle Floor Tap) is a high-intensity, dynamic exercise that combines a lateral (side-to-side) movement with a squat-like touch. It is excellent for cardio, agility, coordination, and strengthening the muscles used for lateral movement.

About Exercise

Equipment

Body Weight

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads

Secondary Muscles

Adductors, Hamstrings, Abs

Popularity Score

6

Goals

Conditioning
Endurance
Stability
Fat Loss

Training Style

HIIT
Sports Performance
Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Medium

Noise Level

Moderate

Muscle Breakdown

Quads

8/10

Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femoris

Glutes

7/10

Glute Max, Glute Medius

Adductors

5/10

Adductor Magnus

Hamstrings

4/10

Biceps Femoris

Abs

3/10

Rectus Abdominis

Programming

Typical Rep Range

10-30 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-90 seconds • Rest periods should be short to maintain conditioning focus.

How to Perform

Assume an athletic stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hips pushed back, maintaining a low center of gravity throughout the movement.

  1. Shuffle quickly sideways for a short distance, staying low and never crossing your feet.
  2. Stop the shuffle and deepen the squat slightly.
  3. Touch the floor next to the outside foot with the outside hand.
  4. Immediately push off the outside foot and shuffle back to the opposite side.
  5. Repeat the floor touch on the new side to complete one cycle.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Stay low and quick.
  • Never cross your feet.
  • Push off hard laterally.
  • Chest up for the touch.

Breathing

Inhale during the shuffle; exhale sharply upon touching the floor and pushing off to reverse direction. Maintain core bracing.

Tempo

N/A

Range of Motion

Maintain the athletic stance during the shuffle and deepen the squat until the hand touches the floor while keeping the back flat.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Ensure the training area is clear of obstacles.
  • Focus on pushing the hips back, not rounding the spine, when reaching for the floor.

Spotting

Not recommended; this is a self-regulated agility drill.

Common Mistakes

  • Standing up too tall between shuffles.
  • Rounding the back to reach the floor.
  • Taking steps that are too large.
  • Failing to maintain the athletic stance.

When to Avoid

  • Acute knee or ankle injuries.
  • Severe hip pain.

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate ankle dorsiflexion.
  • Hip mobility for a deep squat.

Build Up First

  • Basic squat form competency.
  • Ability to maintain an athletic stance.

Also known as

Lateral Shuffle Floor Tap, Agility Shuffle Touch, Side-to-Side Squat Touch

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