Funky Footwork
A footwork exercise that keeps the groove in your upper body while the feet do intricate patterns. You step out with the toe turned in, then take the toe out and shift over. Doubles and singles follow: toe, heel, toe, heel on one foot, tap, tap on the other, and a tap to the back. The pattern feels strange at first, but once it clicks you'll use it everywhere.
The knee pick-up and slide is a second groove, where the accent goes down. Finish with heel, tap, heel, together and a little house jack. Then repeat the whole thing to the other side.