How To Do A Basic Head Swipe | Beginning Breaking

The head swipe is a foundational move in breaking that not only looks impressive but also serves a practical purpose. It’s an excellent technique for recovering from falling onto your back, making it a valuable addition to any breaker’s repertoire. Today, we’ll be exploring the beginner’s version of the head swipe, breaking it down into manageable steps to help new dancers progress towards more advanced moves.

Prerequisites

Before attempting the basic head swipe, it’s important to have a few skills under your belt:

Pilot Freeze or Chair Freeze: These freezes form the endpoint of your head swipe, so being comfortable with them is crucial.
Turtle Freeze: While not absolutely necessary, familiarity with the turtle position can greatly aid in learning the head swipe.

If you’re not yet comfortable with these moves, it’s recommended to practice them first before proceeding with the head swipe.

Essential Equipment

To make the learning process more comfortable and safe, you’ll need one key piece of equipment:

Beanie: A beanie or similar soft headwear will protect your head and make the sliding motion smoother.

The Basic Head Swipe: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Starting Position

Begin by lying on your back on the floor.
Ensure you’re wearing your beanie for protection and smooth movement.

Step 2: The Head Bridge

From the lying position, lift your head off the ground.
Create a “head bridge” by supporting your weight on the back of your head.
This position might feel strange at first, but it’s crucial to get comfortable with it.

Step 3: The Roll

From the head bridge position, start to rotate your body.
Use your legs as “training wheels” by keeping them on the ground for support.
Reach over with your arms to guide your rotation.

Step 4: Transitioning to Turtle Position

As you roll, move into the turtle position.
Your head should still be in contact with the ground.
Use your arms and legs to control the movement.

Step 5: Completing the Swipe

From the turtle position, continue your rotation.
Reach over with your arms to guide yourself into the chair freeze or pilot position.
Use your legs to help push yourself up if needed.

Practice Drills

To master the basic head swipe, try these practice drills:

Drill 1: Head Bridge Hold

Start on your back.
Lift into the head bridge position.
Hold for 10-30 seconds, gradually increasing duration as you get stronger.

Drill 2: Slow Motion Swipe

Perform the head swipe movement as slowly as possible.
Focus on each phase of the movement.
This helps build strength and body awareness.

Drill 3: Directional Practice

Practice the head swipe rolling towards your right.
Then practice rolling towards your left.
Being able to swipe in both directions will greatly enhance your breaking versatility.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Rushing the Movement: Take your time to perfect each phase of the swipe before trying to do it quickly.
Neglecting the Head Bridge: Spend time getting comfortable with the head bridge position. It’s the foundation of a good head swipe.
Relying Too Much on Legs: While it’s okay to use your legs as “training wheels” initially, gradually try to rely more on your upper body strength.
Incorrect Head Placement: Ensure your head is properly positioned throughout the move to avoid strain or injury.
Forgetting to Breathe: It’s common to hold your breath during challenging moves. Remember to breathe steadily throughout the swipe.

Progressing Your Head Swipe

As you become more comfortable with the basic head swipe, you can start to progress the move:

Reduce Leg Usage: Try to perform the swipe with minimal leg contact with the ground.
Increase Speed: Gradually perform the swipe faster, aiming for one smooth motion.
Combine with Other Moves: Try entering the head swipe from different positions or transitioning out of it into other moves.
Practice Without the Beanie: Once you’re very comfortable, try practicing without the beanie (but be careful!).

The Importance of the Head Swipe in Breaking

The head swipe is more than just a flashy move. It serves several important functions in breaking:

Recovery Tool: It’s an excellent way to recover gracefully if you fall onto your back during other moves.
Transition Move: The head swipe can serve as a smooth transition between floor work and freezes.
Foundation for Advanced Moves: Mastering the basic head swipe sets you up to learn more advanced variations and related power moves.
Flow Enhancement: Incorporating head swipes into your breaking can greatly enhance the flow and continuity of your sets.

Safety Considerations

While the head swipe is a relatively safe move when performed correctly, it’s important to keep these safety tips in mind:

Warm Up: Always warm up your neck, shoulders, and core before practicing head swipes.
Use Protection: Continue using the beanie until you’re very comfortable with the move.
Proper Surface: Practice on a suitable breaking surface. Avoid hard or slippery floors.
Listen to Your Body: If you feel any pain or discomfort, especially in your neck, stop immediately and rest.
Gradual Progression: Don’t rush to perform the move quickly. Build up speed gradually as you perfect your form.

Incorporating the Head Swipe into Your Breaking

Once you’ve mastered the basic head swipe, you can start incorporating it into your breaking routines. Here are some ideas:

As a Transition: Use the head swipe to transition between floor work and freezes.
In Combinations: Combine the head swipe with other moves like leg sweeps or freezes.
For Recovery: Practice using the head swipe as a recovery move when you deliberately fall onto your back.
Flow Building: Use repeated head swipes to build momentum and flow in your sets.

The Journey Beyond the Basic Head Swipe

The basic head swipe you’ve learned here is just the beginning. As you progress in your breaking journey, you’ll encounter more advanced versions of the head swipe, such as:

No-Handed Head Swipe: Performing the swipe without using your hands.
Continuous Head Swipes: Chaining multiple swipes together.
Head Swipe Variations: Incorporating leg movements or different freeze positions.
Head Swipe Entries and Exits: Learning to enter the swipe from different positions or exit into various moves.

Remember, these advanced techniques build upon the foundation you’re laying now with the basic head swipe. Master the basics, and you’ll be well-prepared for these future challenges.

Conclusion

The basic head swipe is an excellent move for beginners to add to their breaking arsenal. It teaches important principles of momentum, body control, and flow that are crucial in more advanced breaking techniques. Remember to practice regularly, prioritize proper form over speed, and always keep safety in mind.

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t nail it right away – breaking is a journey, and every practice session brings you one step closer to mastery. Keep at it, stay patient, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning and growing as a breaker. Before you know it, you’ll be flowing through head swipes with ease and style!