How to Breakdance | Crab Walks | M07 (2nd Nature/Fallen Kings)

Breaking, the dynamic and expressive dance form born from hip-hop culture, continues to evolve with innovative moves that push the boundaries of human physicality. Among these moves, the crab walk stands out as a challenging yet impressive technique that showcases a dancer’s strength, control, and coordination. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the intricacies of the crab walk, as taught by M07 (also known as Low Down) from Fallen Kings and 2nd Nature crews.

M07, hailing from Alaska but now based in Sacramento, California, brings his professional expertise to this tutorial. As a dancer for the Sacramento Kings, performing during games and in community events, M07 has honed his skills to a professional level. His insights into the crab walk technique are invaluable for breakers looking to expand their repertoire.

Understanding the Crab Walk

The crab walk is a floor move that requires significant core strength and balance. It involves moving across the floor in a position similar to a crab, hence the name. This move not only looks impressive but also serves as an excellent transition between other breaking techniques.

Key Components of the Crab Walk:

Core strength
Balance
Wrist stability
Coordination

Preparing for the Crab Walk

Before diving into the technique, it’s crucial to prepare your body properly. M07 emphasizes the importance of warm-up and preparation to prevent injury and ensure smooth execution of the move.

Warm-up Routine

Focus on wrist exercises: The crab walk puts significant stress on your wrists, so proper warm-up is essential.
Practice the cat position: This foundational position is key to mastering the crab walk.

Mastering the Cat Position

The cat position forms the basis of the crab walk. Here’s how to get into it:

Place your elbows against your abs
Lean forward, supporting your weight on your hands
Lift your feet off the ground
Hold this position to build strength and stability

M07 recommends practicing holding the cat position for increasing durations to build the necessary strength and endurance for the crab walk.

Breaking Down the Crab Walk Technique

Once you’re comfortable with the cat position, you can start working on the movement aspects of the crab walk. M07 breaks down the technique into several key steps.

Step 1: Weight Distribution

Practice shifting your weight from one arm to the other while in the cat position
Focus on maintaining balance and control throughout the weight transfer

Step 2: Backward Movement

As you lean your weight onto one arm, move the free hand slightly backward
This backward movement of the hand initiates the walking motion

Step 3: Coordinating Hand and Foot Movement

As you move one hand backward, simultaneously move the opposite foot forward
This coordination creates the characteristic “walk” of the crab walk

Step 4: Continuous Motion

Chain these movements together to create a fluid backward motion
Start slowly, focusing on smooth transitions between each step

Common Challenges and Solutions

As with any advanced breaking move, learners may encounter some challenges when practicing the crab walk. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

Challenge: Lack of Core Strength

Solution: Incorporate core-strengthening exercises into your regular workout routine
Practice holding the cat position for longer durations to build specific strength

Challenge: Wrist Pain or Weakness

Solution: Ensure proper warm-up of wrists before practice
Gradually increase the duration and intensity of practice to build wrist strength over time

Challenge: Loss of Balance

Solution: Practice weight shifting exercises while in the cat position
Focus on maintaining a low center of gravity during the movement

Challenge: Lack of Smoothness in Movement

Solution: Start with slow, deliberate movements
Gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable with the technique

Advanced Variations of the Crab Walk

Once you’ve mastered the basic crab walk, you can explore more advanced variations to add flair to your breaking routines.

Forward Crab Walk

Reverse the direction of movement, walking forward instead of backward
This variation requires even more control and coordination

Crab Walk Spins

Incorporate spinning motions into your crab walk
Start with quarter turns and progress to full 360-degree spins

Crab Walk to Freeze Transitions

Practice transitioning from the crab walk directly into various freeze positions
This combination showcases both dynamic movement and static strength

Training Tips from M07

M07 shares some valuable training tips to help breakers progress in their crab walk technique:

Practice patience: The crab walk requires significant core strength, which takes time to develop
Consistent practice: Incorporate crab walk training into your regular breaking practice sessions
Cross-training: Engage in complementary exercises to build overall strength and flexibility
Video analysis: Record your practice sessions to identify areas for improvement

Incorporating the Crab Walk into Your Breaking Routine

The crab walk is not just a standalone move; it’s a versatile technique that can enhance your overall breaking performance. Here are some ways to incorporate it:

Use it as a transition between power moves
Combine it with freezes for dynamic entries and exits
Integrate it into your footwork sequences for added variety

Safety Considerations

As with any physically demanding move, safety should be a top priority when practicing the crab walk.

Always warm up thoroughly before practice
Listen to your body and avoid overexertion
Practice on appropriate surfaces to prevent slipping
If you experience persistent pain, especially in the wrists or lower back, consult a medical professional

Conclusion

Mastering the crab walk is a journey that requires dedication, patience, and consistent practice. By following M07’s expert guidance and incorporating regular training into your breaking routine, you’ll be well on your way to adding this impressive move to your arsenal.

Remember, breaking is not just about individual moves but about expressing yourself through dance. As you work on the crab walk, don’t forget to explore how it fits into your unique style and flow. Keep pushing your limits, stay creative, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning and growing as a breaker.

As M07 demonstrates, with the right technique and persistent practice, even complex moves like the crab walk can become part of your breaking vocabulary. So get out there, start practicing, and soon you’ll be gliding across the floor with the grace and power of a true b-boy or b-girl.

Keep breaking, keep innovating, and never stop pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this incredible dance form. Who knows? With dedication and creativity, you might just develop your own variation of the crab walk that will inspire the next generation of breakers.