Locate an area with sufficient space and a surface suitable for performing the moonwalk. Ideal surfaces are smooth with little or no friction, like polished wood, tile, sand or even dirt. Wear sneakers or other soft and flexible footwear, which allow free movement. Leather soles provide less friction than rubber.
Stand up straight with your feet together. Place your right foot, toes down, about 12 inches behind the heel of your left. Attain a balance in this set position by adjusting the width of your stance and shifting the majority of your weight to your left leg.
Shift your weight to the right leg. Slide your left foot to the back, pressing the heel downward, until it reaches a position about 12 inches behind your right leg. Quickly lift your left heel upward and force your right heel downward, so that your feet have swapped the positions they were in at the beginning of the slide. Your right foot is now in front and flat to the floor, while your left foot is 12 inches behind, with the toes pointing down.
Practice the slide movement, one foot at a time, with a rest in between, to become comfortable with the step. Once you have mastered the movement, attempt to perform the moonwalk with both feet in a continuous motion.
Use your head and arms to emphasize the action of floating. When you slide one leg backward, push your chin as far forward as possible to maximize the appearance of backward movement. When you perform the heel swap maneuver, jerk your head backward to reset the process. Swing the arm opposite to the sliding leg, in normal walking motion. This further creates the illusion of floating and enhances the overall body movement.
Practice timing and performing all of these moves together until they become second nature.