Boots on the Ground: Leading the Culture Forward, Not Tearing It Down

Teaching Boots on the Ground

With the rise of trending dances like Boots on the Ground, a noticeable influx of new instructors has entered the dance space. They’re excited, passionate, and eager to contribute. But with that, I’ve also seen a wave of online complaints from some veterans in the community, calling out these newcomers for not fully understanding the culture.

Let’s talk about it—but let’s do it correctly.

Stop Bullying

Publicly criticizing new instructors on social media isn’t just unproductive—it creates division. It doesn’t build culture, it builds walls. And it doesn’t make the kind of dialogue that helps bridge the gap between generations of dancers.

If we genuinely care about preserving the culture, we must lead with boots on the ground, not just in name, but in action. That means getting involved, mentoring, having honest conversations, and offering guidance with respect and patience. Our movement grows stronger when we connect, not when we call out.

Mentor to teach and help

Everyone started somewhere. While new instructors may not know all the history yet, that doesn’t mean they don’t have something valuable to bring. The goal isn’t to stop them—the goal is to teach them.

Let’s use our platforms to uplift, not to shame.

Let’s put our Boots on the Ground for real, not just on the dance floor, but as leaders, teachers, and culture-keepers in the community.

Contribute to Unity

Because that’s how we move the line dance world forward—with unity, not ego.