I’ve come to realize that mastering the art of breaking goes far beyond learning a few basic moves. One of the most overlooked aspects of breaking, especially among beginners, is the importance of get-downs or drops. These are the moves that transition you from a standing position to the floor, setting up your footwork, freezes, and power moves.

Many novice bboys tend to focus solely on flashy power moves or intricate footwork, neglecting the crucial role that get-downs play in a well-rounded breaking routine. However, if you look at the world’s top bboys, you’ll notice that they place significant emphasis on their get-downs. This focus is what sets them apart, makes them look fresh, and elevates them to world-class status.

The secret to standing out in the breaking world lies in creating unique drops. By developing your own style and variations of get-downs, you can make your entire set more distinctive and memorable. In this blog post, we’ll explore three variations of the most basic drops: the knee drop, sweep, and basic get-down. These variations will help you start your journey towards creating get-downs that are uniquely yours.

The Importance of Get-Downs in Breaking

Before we dive into the specific variations, let’s take a moment to understand why get-downs are so crucial in breaking:

First Impression: Your get-down is often the first move you perform in a set. It sets the tone for your entire routine and can immediately capture the audience’s attention.
Transition: Get-downs serve as smooth transitions between standing position and floor work, allowing you to flow seamlessly into your footwork or power moves.
Style Expression: The way you enter the dance floor speaks volumes about your style. A unique get-down can become your signature move, making you instantly recognizable.
Versatility: Mastering various get-downs gives you more options during battles or freestyle sessions, allowing you to adapt to different music and situations.
Foundation Building: Practicing different get-downs improves your overall body control, balance, and coordination, which are essential skills for all aspects of breaking.

Now that we understand the importance of get-downs, let’s explore three variations that can help you stand out.

Variation 1: Spin to Knee Drop

The first variation we’ll discuss is the Spin to Knee Drop. This move adds a dynamic spin to the basic knee drop, creating a more visually appealing entry to your floor work.

Steps:

Start in a standing position with your right foot forward.
Pull your left knee in towards your chest.
Begin to turn clockwise while keeping your left knee tucked in.
As you complete the spin, launch yourself towards the ground.
Land on your left knee, similar to a regular knee drop.
Finish by placing your left hand on the ground for support.

Tips for Mastering the Spin to Knee Drop:

Gradual Progression: Start with a quarter turn, then progress to a half turn, and finally a full spin as you become more comfortable with the movement.
Knee Positioning: Keep your left knee tucked in throughout the spin to maintain balance and control.
Momentum Control: Use the momentum from the spin to help you drop smoothly to the ground.
Soft Landing: Focus on landing softly on your knee to prevent injury and create a smoother transition to your next move.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Losing balance during the spin
Dropping too hard on the knee
Forgetting to use your hands for support upon landing

Remember, the key to mastering this variation is practice and patience. Start slow and gradually increase your speed and the number of rotations as you become more comfortable with the move.

Variation 2: Sweep to Knee Lock

The second variation we’ll explore is the Sweep to Knee Lock. This move combines the fluidity of a sweep with the stability of a knee lock, creating a unique and stylish entry to your breaking routine.

Steps:

Begin in a standing position.
Initiate a basic sweep motion, but instead of completing a half sweep, aim for a full rotation.
As you complete the full sweep, focus on locking your right ankle behind your left knee.
Land in a kneeling position with your right leg locked behind your left.
Use the momentum from the sweep to push up slightly, adding a dynamic element to the move.

Tips for Mastering the Sweep to Knee Lock:

Ankle Lock: The key to this move is ensuring your right ankle is securely locked behind your left knee. Practice this position separately before incorporating it into the full move.
Smooth Rotation: Focus on making the sweep as smooth as possible. The fluidity of the movement will make the transition to the knee lock more natural.
Body Control: Maintain control throughout the sweep to ensure you can precisely place your legs in the final position.
Push-up Variation: Once you’ve mastered the basic move, try adding a slight push-up at the end for extra flair.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Not completing a full sweep rotation
Failing to lock the ankle securely
Losing balance during the transition to the kneeling position

This variation requires a good understanding of body positioning and control. Take your time to perfect each element of the move before putting it all together.

Variation 3: Scissors Shuffle to Back Sweep

The final variation we’ll discuss is the Scissors Shuffle to Back Sweep. This move combines footwork elements with a classic get-down, creating a dynamic and eye-catching entry to your set.

Steps:

Start in a standing position.
Perform a small jump, lifting both feet slightly off the ground.
As you jump, cross your legs in a scissors motion – right over left.
Land softly with your legs crossed.
Immediately uncross your legs and sweep backwards into a basic back sweep.

Tips for Mastering the Scissors Shuffle to Back Sweep:

Controlled Jump: Keep the initial jump small and controlled. The goal is to create enough space to cross your legs, not to jump high.
Quick Leg Cross: The scissors motion should be quick and precise. Practice the leg crossing motion separately to build muscle memory.
Smooth Transition: Focus on making the transition from the scissors shuffle to the back sweep as smooth as possible.
Back Sweep Technique: Ensure your back sweep technique is solid before attempting this variation. The quality of your back sweep will greatly impact the overall look of the move.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Jumping too high, which can throw off your balance
Exaggerating the leg crossing motion, which can look awkward
Hesitating between the scissors shuffle and the back sweep

For beginners, it might be helpful to break this move down into two parts: practice the scissors shuffle on its own, then work on transitioning directly into a back sweep. As you become more comfortable, you can combine the elements into one fluid motion.

Incorporating These Variations into Your Breaking

Now that we’ve explored these three variations, let’s discuss how to effectively incorporate them into your breaking routine:

Practice Regularly: Dedicate time to practicing these variations alongside your other breaking moves. Consistency is key to mastering new techniques.
Combine with Other Moves: Once you’re comfortable with these variations, try combining them with your existing footwork, freezes, or power moves to create unique combinations.
Adapt to Music: Practice performing these variations to different types of music. This will help you develop the ability to execute them naturally in various breaking contexts.
Personalize: Use these variations as a starting point to create your own unique get-downs. Experiment with different angles, speeds, or additional elements to make them truly your own.
Seek Feedback: Show your new moves to other bboys or your crew. Constructive feedback can help you refine and improve your technique.

Conclusion

Mastering get-downs and creating unique variations is a crucial step in developing your identity as a bboy. The three variations we’ve explored – Spin to Knee Drop, Sweep to Knee Lock, and Scissors Shuffle to Back Sweep – are just the beginning. They serve as a foundation for you to build upon and create your own signature moves.

Remember, what sets world-class bboys apart is their ability to make even the most basic moves look fresh and unique. By focusing on your get-downs and continuously innovating, you’re not just improving a single aspect of your breaking – you’re elevating your entire style.

As you practice these variations, keep in mind that progress takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t nail these moves immediately. Breaking is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. Embrace the process, stay patient, and most importantly, have fun with it.

Now it’s your turn to hit the practice space and start working on these variations. Who knows? The next iconic get-down in the breaking world might be one that you create. Keep pushing your limits, stay creative, and never stop exploring new possibilities in your breaking journey.

Remember, every world-class bboy started with the basics. It’s what you do with those basics that sets you apart. So get out there, practice hard, and show the world your unique style through your get-downs. The floor is yours – make it count!