How to Teach Yourself to Breakdance
Learn basic breakdancing terminology., Try a basic three step., Learn the coffee grinder., Practice the baby freeze., Do a six step.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn basic breakdancing terminology.
A breakdance routine is compiled of three basic types of moves: top rocks, footwork, and freezes.
Learn the basic terminology, and how these moves fit into your typical breakdance routine.Top rocks incorporate the top half of your body.
You would use your arms, hands, elbows, and chest when performing top rocks moves.
Top rocks are used as an introduction to a breakdancing routine.
You would start off your routine by engaging in some top rocks before moving on to more advanced moves.Footwork involves moving with the lower half of your body.
This involves using your feet, legs, and hips to dance.
Footwork usually looks far more complex than top rocks, so you would transition into footwork later in a dance routine.Freezes are an important aspect of a breakdancing routine.
If you think of breakdancing as a work of prose, freezes are the periods at the end of each sentence.
When you finish one move in breakdancing, you should do a freeze.
This means temporarily stopping movement before moving on to a second move. -
Step 2: Try a basic three step.
One of the easiest form of footwork in breakdancing is a three step.
You can use a three step to transition into many more complex moves down the road.
If you're starting out as a breakdancer, learn the three step first.
Start off in a crab walk position.
This means you place your arms behind you and your legs in front of you, bending your legs at the knees.
Lift your body slightly off the ground.Move one foot forward, keeping the other leg down and supporting your body.
Pull the leg that's down inside your body, using this leg to change your position.
You should be standing on all fours, with your hands and feet on the ground.
This is similar to the position you would be in to do a push-up, but your body is raised higher off the ground.Now, you can begin your three steps.
Take your left leg and kick it out to your side, so you're supporting your weight with your right leg and arms.
This is step one.
Then, switch which leg is stretched out.
Pull your left leg back up to the knee and kick out your right leg.
This is step two.
Then, move your right leg back under your body, returning to the push-up position you were in earlier., A coffee grinder is another basic footwork move.
It's also known as the helicopter or propeller.
In this move, you'll spin around while crouching near the ground.
The coffee grinder is a very common move in breakdancing routines.
To start, crouch near the ground.
If you've ever done crunches as part of a workout routine, this is the position you would be in at the bottom of a crunch.
Then, swing your right leg out to your side, stretching your leg as far as you comfortably can.Then, swing your right leg around to the front of your body.
Keep your hands on the ground to keep movement steady, bringing your right hand up briefly to let your right leg through.
Keep swinging your right leg until it's on the left side of your body.
You will also have to bring your left hand up and down to let your right leg through.Then, hop slightly with your left foot and pass your right leg under your left foot.
Return to the original crunch position.
You can repeat this spinning process until you feel comfortable with it.
Try to increase your speed as people will be impressed if you're able to do the coffee grinder at a fast pace.
You should also switch directions on occasion, spinning with your left leg instead., As freeze moves are important to breakdancing, you should learn a basic freeze when starting out.
The baby freeze is a common breakdancing freeze you can incorporate into any routine.
This freeze involves elevating your body off the ground slightly.
To start, get on your hands and knees.
Press your right elbow against your right hip, bending your arm at a 90 degree angle.
Reach your left hand out in front of you.Lean forward and kick your legs up, transferring your weight to your hands and shoulders.
Hold for a few seconds.It can take awhile to get the baby freeze right, especially if you lack upper body strength.
Do not worry if it takes you a few tries before you balance successfully.
You may also have to work on building your upper body strength before you can do a baby freeze. , A six step is a variation on the three step.
Once you've mastered the three step, try incorporating a six step into your routine.
You start off the six step somewhat similar to how you began the coffee grinder.
Get into a crouching position.
Take your right leg and loop it around your body, stopping when your right leg touches your left foot.
Then, lean back with your right side and catch your weight with your right hand.Now, stretch your left leg back diagonally.
As you do this, place your hands forward, transferring your weight to your hands.
You'll be in a position similar to the position you'd get in to do a push-up.
However, your right leg would be turned inward slightly, weight resting on your knees.
Stretch your right foot out at a diagonal angle, so you're in a normal push-up position.Bring your left foot to where your right hand is on the ground.
Raise your right hand in the air, moving your left hip into the air.
Then, bring your right foot behind your knee.
You should now be crouching, with your left hand on the ground and your legs crossed.To complete the move, uncross your legs and return to the original starting position. -
Step 3: Learn the coffee grinder.
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Step 4: Practice the baby freeze.
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Step 5: Do a six step.
Detailed Guide
A breakdance routine is compiled of three basic types of moves: top rocks, footwork, and freezes.
Learn the basic terminology, and how these moves fit into your typical breakdance routine.Top rocks incorporate the top half of your body.
You would use your arms, hands, elbows, and chest when performing top rocks moves.
Top rocks are used as an introduction to a breakdancing routine.
You would start off your routine by engaging in some top rocks before moving on to more advanced moves.Footwork involves moving with the lower half of your body.
This involves using your feet, legs, and hips to dance.
Footwork usually looks far more complex than top rocks, so you would transition into footwork later in a dance routine.Freezes are an important aspect of a breakdancing routine.
If you think of breakdancing as a work of prose, freezes are the periods at the end of each sentence.
When you finish one move in breakdancing, you should do a freeze.
This means temporarily stopping movement before moving on to a second move.
One of the easiest form of footwork in breakdancing is a three step.
You can use a three step to transition into many more complex moves down the road.
If you're starting out as a breakdancer, learn the three step first.
Start off in a crab walk position.
This means you place your arms behind you and your legs in front of you, bending your legs at the knees.
Lift your body slightly off the ground.Move one foot forward, keeping the other leg down and supporting your body.
Pull the leg that's down inside your body, using this leg to change your position.
You should be standing on all fours, with your hands and feet on the ground.
This is similar to the position you would be in to do a push-up, but your body is raised higher off the ground.Now, you can begin your three steps.
Take your left leg and kick it out to your side, so you're supporting your weight with your right leg and arms.
This is step one.
Then, switch which leg is stretched out.
Pull your left leg back up to the knee and kick out your right leg.
This is step two.
Then, move your right leg back under your body, returning to the push-up position you were in earlier., A coffee grinder is another basic footwork move.
It's also known as the helicopter or propeller.
In this move, you'll spin around while crouching near the ground.
The coffee grinder is a very common move in breakdancing routines.
To start, crouch near the ground.
If you've ever done crunches as part of a workout routine, this is the position you would be in at the bottom of a crunch.
Then, swing your right leg out to your side, stretching your leg as far as you comfortably can.Then, swing your right leg around to the front of your body.
Keep your hands on the ground to keep movement steady, bringing your right hand up briefly to let your right leg through.
Keep swinging your right leg until it's on the left side of your body.
You will also have to bring your left hand up and down to let your right leg through.Then, hop slightly with your left foot and pass your right leg under your left foot.
Return to the original crunch position.
You can repeat this spinning process until you feel comfortable with it.
Try to increase your speed as people will be impressed if you're able to do the coffee grinder at a fast pace.
You should also switch directions on occasion, spinning with your left leg instead., As freeze moves are important to breakdancing, you should learn a basic freeze when starting out.
The baby freeze is a common breakdancing freeze you can incorporate into any routine.
This freeze involves elevating your body off the ground slightly.
To start, get on your hands and knees.
Press your right elbow against your right hip, bending your arm at a 90 degree angle.
Reach your left hand out in front of you.Lean forward and kick your legs up, transferring your weight to your hands and shoulders.
Hold for a few seconds.It can take awhile to get the baby freeze right, especially if you lack upper body strength.
Do not worry if it takes you a few tries before you balance successfully.
You may also have to work on building your upper body strength before you can do a baby freeze. , A six step is a variation on the three step.
Once you've mastered the three step, try incorporating a six step into your routine.
You start off the six step somewhat similar to how you began the coffee grinder.
Get into a crouching position.
Take your right leg and loop it around your body, stopping when your right leg touches your left foot.
Then, lean back with your right side and catch your weight with your right hand.Now, stretch your left leg back diagonally.
As you do this, place your hands forward, transferring your weight to your hands.
You'll be in a position similar to the position you'd get in to do a push-up.
However, your right leg would be turned inward slightly, weight resting on your knees.
Stretch your right foot out at a diagonal angle, so you're in a normal push-up position.Bring your left foot to where your right hand is on the ground.
Raise your right hand in the air, moving your left hip into the air.
Then, bring your right foot behind your knee.
You should now be crouching, with your left hand on the ground and your legs crossed.To complete the move, uncross your legs and return to the original starting position.
About the Author
Emma Brown
With a background in education and learning, Emma Brown brings 12 years of hands-on experience to every article. Emma believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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