Overview of freezes in breakdance (Part 1)

Freezes in breakdancing are not just static poses; they are dynamic expressions of strength, balance, and artistic flair that define the essence of this vibrant dance form. From foundational freezes like the baby freeze to more intricate maneuvers such as the hollowback and V-kick, each freeze showcases the dancer’s skill in defying gravity and creating captivating visual compositions. In this series, we delve into the diverse world of freezes in breakdance, exploring their origins, techniques, and significance within the evolving landscape of hip-hop culture. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of these iconic poses that continue to inspire and challenge breakdancers worldwide.

What is a freeze?

A freeze is a position where the dancer holds their body completely still, with no movement at all. This complete stillness is the essence of a freeze, and it’s where the name originates. In a freeze, the dancer attempts to hold their body in a striking, immobile pose. Unlike other elements of breakdancing that involve fluid motion and transitions, freezes are unique because they require absolute stillness.

Typically, freezes are performed in sync with the rhythm of the beat or towards the concluding moments of a breakdance routine. This timing accentuates their visual impact, making them a focal point of the performance.

Freezes are considered one of the core elements of breakdancing, alongside toprocks, footwork, and power moves. These four elements together define the foundation of breakdancing, each contributing to the dancer’s ability to express creativity, skill, and athleticism in a performance.

Freezes in dance battles

Freezes in dance battles are a pivotal aspect of breakdancing culture, where they are frequently employed to enhance performances and influence judges and audiences alike.

One primary use of freezes is to synchronize with the music being played by the DJ during a battle. Dancers often time their freezes to coincide with specific accents in the song, such as a snare hit or a prominent drum beat. This rhythmic alignment not only adds emphasis to the freeze but also elicits enthusiastic reactions from the crowd. In the competitive arena, this ability to harmonize movements with music can significantly impact a dancer’s score and overall performance evaluation.

Moreover, freezes serve as effective punctuation marks, particularly at the conclusion of sequences involving power moves. After executing dynamic rotations or acrobatic maneuvers, dancers can seamlessly transition into a freeze to both accentuate the preceding movements and provide a dramatic conclusion to their performance sequence. This skillful integration of freezes enhances the visual and narrative coherence of a dancer’s routine.

Additionally, freezes are strategically used to conclude a dancer’s round in a breakdance battle. By concluding with a freeze, dancers signify the completion of their set and convey a sense of finality, which is essential in the structured format of competitive breakdancing. This deliberate choice not only rounds off their performance but also communicates confidence and control to both judges and opponents.

In the competitive context, freezes can also be employed as a form of response or challenge. Dancers may mirror or surpass a rival’s freeze, showcasing their versatility and technical prowess. This competitive dynamic adds an element of strategy and rivalry to battles, as dancers seek to assert their skills and artistic flair through well-executed freezes.

Overall, freezes play a multifaceted role in breakdancing battles, serving as rhythmic accents, dramatic conclusions, and strategic responses. Their diversity and creative application underscore their significance as one of the fundamental elements of breakdance culture.

Baby freeze

The baby freeze is a foundational freeze in breakdancing that is widely recognized and commonly practiced among dancers.

In the baby freeze, one arm is positioned with the elbow stabbing into the side abs, supporting the body’s weight on the palm of the hand. Simultaneously, the other arm bends at a 90-degree angle, also using the palm to stabilize against the floor. The head rests on the ground, and both legs are elevated off the ground, creating a dynamic and balanced posture. Often, the knee of the leg resting on the ground is placed on top of the bent arm, utilizing the elbow as a stable surface for support.

This freeze not only showcases the dancer’s strength and control but also emphasizes balance and precision in executing the pose. Due to its accessibility and foundational nature, the baby freeze is frequently one of the first freezes that beginner breakers learn as they develop their skills in breakdancing.

Its popularity stems from its versatility and aesthetic appeal, making it a staple move in both casual sessions and competitive breakdance battles. As dancers progress in their training, mastering the baby freeze serves as an essential building block for mastering more complex freezes and sequences within the breakdancing repertoire.

Chair freeze

The chair freeze, named for its resemblance to sitting in a chair, is a distinctive pose in breakdancing that requires a combination of strength, balance, and flexibility.

To execute the chair freeze, dancers begin from a bridge position with their head and feet firmly planted on the ground for stability, while keeping their back off the ground’s surface. Support is then established by leveraging the elbow of one arm against the back, adding stability to the posture.

Initially, dancers typically learn to perform the chair freeze with both feet planted on the ground. As they advance in skill and strength, they can elevate one leg, positioning it in a figure-four configuration over the other leg. This variation adds complexity and visual interest to the freeze, showcasing the dancer’s ability to manipulate their body into intricate positions while maintaining balance and control.

The chair freeze holds a prominent place in breakdancing battles due to its aesthetic appeal and technical challenge. Its structured form and dynamic presentation make it a favored move among both performers and spectators alike. As dancers refine their technique and repertoire, mastering the chair freeze becomes a foundational achievement, demonstrating proficiency in foundational freezes and paving the way for more intricate maneuvers in breakdancing routines and competitions.

Airchair

The airchair represents an evolution of the chair freeze, distinguished by its dynamic and elevated posture that adds an extra layer of challenge and visual flair to breakdancing routines.

In the airchair, dancers elevate their head off the ground, suspending it in the air, while simultaneously lifting both legs off the ground as well. This creates a striking pose where the knees are brought closer to the chest, resembling the shape of a real-life chair. The upper body acts as the supportive back of the chair, while the legs extend outward, mimicking the seat.

Renowned for its aesthetic appeal and technical difficulty, the airchair is among the most popular freezes in breakdancing. Its versatility allows for numerous variations and combinations, such as the airchair spin, airchair flares, and airchair hops, each showcasing the dancer’s creativity and agility in manipulating this challenging position.

When executed fluidly and with precision, the airchair captivates audiences with its seamless integration into choreography and freestyle performances. Its prominence in breakdancing battles highlights its status as a cornerstone move, emblematic of the athleticism and artistic expression that define the discipline. As dancers master the airchair and its variations, they elevate their skills, contributing to the evolution and innovation within the vibrant culture of breakdancing.

Handstand

The handstand, originating from circus performances and gymnastics, has become an integral part of breakdancing through adaptation and innovation.

In a handstand, the dancer achieves a vertical position with the body supported by the hands, palms, and fingers, while the legs extend upward into the air. The posture is characterized by straight arms and legs, with the body held in a rigid alignment. Typically, the hands are spaced approximately shoulder-width apart, providing a stable base, while the legs remain together to maintain balance and form.

Within the realm of breakdancing, the handstand undergoes numerous variations and interpretations. Dancers explore different configurations and shapes with their legs, adding creative flair and complexity to the basic stance. Variations may involve positioning the legs in distinct forms or shapes, and handstands can be executed using either one hand or both hands, each requiring a unique blend of strength, control, and coordination.

The handstand’s versatility makes it a versatile element in breakdancing routines and battles, showcasing a dancer’s athleticism and technical skill. Whether incorporated as a foundational move or elaborated upon through innovative combinations and transitions, the handstand remains a symbol of agility and prowess within the dynamic art form of breakdancing.

Elbow freeze

The elbow freeze represents a distinctive variation derived from the handstand, with roots extending into disciplines like yoga and gymnastics.

In the elbow freeze, the dancer supports their body weight on the forearm of one arm, leveraging the palm of the hand on the ground for stability, while both legs extend upward into the air. This contrasts with the traditional handstand, where balance is primarily maintained through both palms with arms fully extended. The elbow freeze emphasizes support through the forearm, specifically the elbow joint, which serves as the main pivot point and anchor for the pose.

Considered a derivative of the handstand, the elbow freeze showcases a nuanced adaptation within the realm of breakdancing. Its execution demands a unique blend of strength, balance, and control, requiring dancers to master the intricacies of weight distribution and body alignment in a vertical position.

This freeze not only highlights the dancer’s technical proficiency but also offers opportunities for creative expression and variation. Dancers may explore different leg positions or transitions, adding complexity and visual interest to their performances. In the competitive context of breakdancing battles, the elbow freeze exemplifies the innovation and adaptability inherent in the evolution of foundational moves, contributing to the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the art form.

Turtle freeze

The turtle freeze, a fundamental pose in breakdancing, shares similarities with other foundational freezes like the baby freeze and side freeze, while also serving as the basis for advanced power moves known as “turtles”.

To perform the turtle freeze, the dancer begins by placing one elbow into the abdominal area at the front of the belly, with the palm of the hand firmly on the ground for support, while both legs remain in contact with the ground. The stabbed elbow serves as the pivotal balance point for this freeze. Subsequently, the dancer shifts their weight forward and raises both legs off the floor, relying on the palm of the free hand to maintain equilibrium.

As one of the initial freezes taught in breakdancing, mastering the turtle freeze lays a solid foundation for learning more intricate freezes and dynamic movements. Its emphasis on balance, core strength, and body control provides essential skills that are transferrable to other elements of breakdancing. Moreover, the turtle freeze’s accessibility and role in developing fundamental techniques make it a crucial component of a breakdancer’s training journey.

Beyond its foundational significance, the turtle freeze also facilitates the progression into advanced techniques and combinations, such as incorporating it into sequences of power moves known as turtles. This evolution underscores the versatility and evolutionary nature of breakdancing, where foundational freezes like the turtle freeze serve as both starting points and building blocks for creative expression and technical mastery.

Shoulder freeze

The shoulder freeze is a foundational freeze in breakdancing that requires the dancer to support their body on the surface of their upper arm, while simultaneously elevating both legs into the air. In this position, the side of the dancer’s head rests in a straight line with their shoulder on the ground. Crucially, the back must remain off the ground, with balance maintained solely by the support of the arm.

This freeze serves as a crucial building block for executing advanced power moves such as the shoulder spin and the shoulder halo. These maneuvers build upon the stability and core strength developed through mastering the shoulder freeze. As dancers progress in their training, they often explore variations and combinations that incorporate the shoulder freeze into fluid transitions and sequences, showcasing both technical prowess and creative expression in their performances.

Beyond its role in foundational freezes, the shoulder freeze exemplifies the dynamic nature of breakdancing, where fundamental poses evolve into complex movements and routines. Its integration into power moves underscores its importance as a fundamental skill that contributes to the athleticism and artistry of breakdancing performances and competitions.

Frog freeze

The frog freeze is a distinctive freeze in breakdancing, named for its resemblance to the posture of a sitting frog. To execute this freeze, dancers begin in a squatting position with knees positioned wide apart. They then lower their arms towards the ground, placing their hands firmly on the floor. The critical movement involves positioning the elbows inside the creases of the knees, creating a stable base of support. Leaning forward is essential to lift both legs off the ground, achieving balance in this challenging pose.

Spider freeze

The spider freeze is a visually striking freeze in breakdancing, named for its resemblance to the posture of a spider. To execute this move, dancers begin by sitting on the floor with their back straight and legs extended on the ground. The next step involves lifting both legs simultaneously off the ground while positioning the upper arms beneath the creases of the knees. By lifting their buttocks off the floor, dancers establish a balance point using their upper arms to support the legs. The key to maintaining this freeze is through careful control and adjustment of body weight, using the hands as pivotal points of pressure and balance on the floor.

Historically, the spider freeze enjoyed significant popularity in breakdancing circles, though its frequency in performances has diminished in recent times. This move is particularly favored among dancers who possess a high degree of flexibility, as it demands a level of agility and control over body positioning while suspended in mid-air. As breakdancing evolves, the spider freeze continues to showcase the athleticism and artistic expression that define the sport, serving as a testament to the creativity and physical prowess of its practitioners.

Side freeze

The side freeze is a fundamental pose in breakdancing, sharing similarities with the baby freeze while introducing distinct variations that emphasize balance and flexibility.

To perform the side freeze, dancers begin by placing one elbow into the abdominal area, similar to the baby freeze. However, in the side freeze, the elbow is positioned more towards the side of the abdomen, allowing for a wider opening of the hips. The side of the head typically rests on the ground, although some variations may involve positioning without the hand touching the ground. Both legs are lifted off the ground, contributing to the pose’s dynamic and visually engaging appearance.

This freeze is often regarded as a variation of the baby freeze, showcasing the evolution and adaptation of foundational poses in breakdancing. Its incorporation of a wider hip stance and potential for hand-free variations highlight the dancer’s ability to explore and innovate within established techniques. The side freeze’s versatility makes it a valuable component of breakdancing routines, offering opportunities for creative expression and technical proficiency.

As breakdancers refine their skills, mastering the side freeze enhances their repertoire, enabling them to seamlessly integrate it into performances alongside other freezes and dynamic movements. Its presence in competitions and showcases underscores its importance as a foundational skill that contributes to the athleticism and artistry of breakdancing culture.

Headstand freeze

The headstand freeze is a classic pose in breakdancing where the dancer supports their body on the surface of their head, while simultaneously lifting both body and legs into the air. This intricate maneuver requires establishing stability through the use of hand palms and arms, positioned in a 90-degree angle shoulder-width apart just below the head. The dancer maintains balance by leveraging the hand palms and fingertips, while the legs are extended in a V-shape above the head.

Beyond its static form, the headstand serves as the foundational move for the headspin, a renowned power move in breakdancing. The headspin involves rotating the body while maintaining the headstand position, showcasing the dancer’s control, strength, and agility. This progression from static balance to dynamic movement highlights the versatility and technical depth of breakdancing techniques.

Mastering the headstand not only demonstrates a dancer’s physical prowess and mastery of body mechanics but also underscores their ability to innovate and integrate foundational freezes into complex routines and performances. As one of breakdancing’s iconic poses, the headstand continues to inspire creativity and push the boundaries of what is possible in this dynamic and expressive art form.

V-kick

The V-kick, also known as the Applejack, is a dynamic freeze in breakdancing that begins from a squat position, distinguishing itself through its demanding technique and striking visual appeal.

To execute the V-kick, the dancer initiates from a squat, then swiftly transitions by placing both arms on the floor slightly behind the body, gripping the surface with the palms and fingertips for stability. At the same time, the dancer elevates both legs into the air, aiming to achieve a distinct V-shape with their legs suspended. This is accomplished by forcefully throwing one leg towards the left shoulder and the other towards the right shoulder.

The V-kick, though once more prevalent in earlier eras of breakdancing, remains a celebrated move for its athleticism and aesthetic impact. Its execution demands a combination of strength, agility, and precise body control to achieve and maintain the desired V-shaped pose in mid-air.

While its frequency in contemporary breakdancing may have diminished, the V-kick continues to embody the creativity and technical proficiency that define the art form. As breakdancers explore new styles and maneuvers, the V-kick serves as a testament to the enduring appeal and innovation within breakdancing culture, captivating audiences with its dynamic expression and physical prowess.

Summary

The world of breakdancing freezes encompasses a range of poses that highlight the athleticism and creativity of dancers. From foundational moves like the baby freeze and shoulder freeze to advanced techniques such as the hollowback and V-kick, each freeze requires precision, strength, and often flexibility. These freezes not only serve as impressive displays of physical ability but also contribute to the narrative and rhythm of breakdance battles and performances. As we explore these freezes, we uncover their origins, variations, and the artistic interpretations that make them integral to the dynamic and evolving culture of breakdancing.