Basic dance moves in breaking you should know (Part 1)

Breakdancing has become a global phenomenon, with communities of breakers and enthusiasts around the world showing off both their mastery of basic dance moves and other unexpected skills. In recent years, breakdancing has gained recognition as a competitive sport, with events such as the Red Bull BC One World Finals and the Olympics featuring breakdancing as a competitive discipline.

What is breakdancing? Breakdancing is a type of dance that involves doing moves where you twist and turn your body in tricky ways. It has evolved over the years, with dancers incorporating elements from other dance styles such as martial arts, gymnastics, and urban dance. Some of these moves might look really complicated and even a bit risky.

Learning how to do them isn’t usually easy. That’s one reason why lots of folks find breakdancing interesting. It’s like a puzzle to figure out how to do the moves just right.

But if you’re just getting started, don’t worry! There are actually plenty of breakdance moves that are pretty easy and won’t put you in danger. You can try them out and practice as you get better at breakdancing. It’s like climbing a ladder of skills, starting with the simpler moves and working your way up to the more challenging ones!

Basic dance moves in breaking

When you’re just starting out with breakdancing, the basic moves might not seem as fancy as the ones you see the pros doing. But here’s the thing: if you want to get really good at breakdancing and do those flashy advanced moves someday, you’ve got to nail down the basics first.

And here’s another secret: even though basic breakdance moves might seem simple, if you put them together in the right way, they can still make for an awesome dance routine! So, don’t underestimate the power of those basic moves – they’re the building blocks of an exciting breakdance routine!

What are elements of breakdancing? Several elements of breakdancing includes: Top Rock, Footwork, Power Moves, Freezes, Go Downs (Drop), Transitions, Tricks, Flips. Each contributes to the dynamic and creative expression of the dance form. But, it’s essential for all breakers to practice its basic elements like top rock, footwork, power move, and freezes.

And for this blog, today we will discover only the first two basic elements: Top Rock and Footwork. And don’t miss out the next blog, which we will reveal the other elements all at once! Now, let’s begin the breaking journey!

Top Rock – One of the basic dance moves

General information

Top Rock is like the ABCs of breakdancing. It’s the first thing many people learn when they step into the world of breaking. Teachers often start with these moves because they’re perfect for beginners. You might hear it called different names, like “uprock” or “tops” or “rocking on top.” But no matter what you call it, the idea is the same: you’re dancing while standing up straight.

When a breakdancer starts a performance, they often kick things off with some Top Rock. It’s like showing off their style right from the get-go. That’s why serious breakdancers spend a lot of time perfecting their Top Rock. It’s like their signature move, something they take pride in.

But Top Rock isn’t just for show. It’s also a great way to warm up for more advanced moves, like Downrock. It’s like getting your body ready for the real action! There are many different Top Rock techniques that you can use to ornate your routine. Here are a few foundational and easiest ones.

Variations

Indian Step: It’s a move in breakdancing that comes from two famous breakers named Pow Wow and Sundance. They first called it “Cross Overs” but later changed it to “Indian Step.” Some people also call it the “Outlaw Step” or the “Front Step.” Basically, you cross one leg in front of the other, easy to master in just a day or two.
Hip Twist: It’s like the Indian Step, but with an extra twist – literally! You still cross your legs, but you also add a twisting motion with your hips. This move is also called the “crossover Indian step” and the “original Indian step.”
Side Step: This one involves kicking out to the side while taking a step. Some people say it’s inspired by salsa dancing, so they call it the “Salsa Rock” or the “Latin Rock.” It’s another cool move to add to your breakdancing repertoire!

And if you want a more detailed tutorial for the basic dance moves of Top Rock, just check out this YOUTUBE video right below!

Footwork – One of the basic dance moves

General information

Footwork is like the beating heart of breakdancing. It’s one of the most recognizable and essential parts of this dance style. When you imagine a breakdancing routine, you likely picture dancers showing off their skills with intricate moves on the ground. These moves often involve getting down close to the floor. Breakers use their hands to support themselves while their legs do all the fancy footwork.

Now, you might think that doing footwork sounds pretty scary if you’re just starting out. But here’s the thing: there are plenty of basic moves that you can learn and master in just a few days of practice. With a bit of dedication and effort, you’ll be pulling off those moves like a pro in no time!

Variations

Helicopter: Basically, you squat down and swing one leg in a big circle. Then, you do a little jump over that swinging leg. People started doing this move back in the 60s and 70s. The Helicopter goes by a few different names, like the “Front Sweep,” the “Coffee Grinder,” and the “One Step.”
2-Step: You can tell where this move gets its name – it involves two steps. First, you do a half-turn sweep, then you sweep back to a squatting position. This move was invented by someone named Lil Julio in the 70s. The 2-Step is also sometimes called the “Baby Swipe.”
3-Step: It’s a lot like the 2-Step, but with an extra sweep added in. This makes it look a bit slower and more controlled compared to the 2-Step. People started doing this move around the same time as the 2-Step, back in the 70s. It’s credited to someone named Batch.
6-Step: This one involves a series of small sweeps while you spin around on one arm. You switch arms halfway through the sequence. The 6 Step was invented by someone called Shorty Rock, also in the 70s.
12-Step: Also known as the “Scramble.” With this move, you’re spinning in a circle while your legs go over and under each other. Your hips twist back and forth as you do it. This move took inspiration from salsa dancing, so it’s sometimes called “Floor Salsa.”

Aside from those step moves, there are also many cool variations for the footwork moves such as:

Lego Le: In this move, you sweep one leg inward and hook it around the back of your other leg’s knee. You keep one arm behind your back to support the move. It was created by a breakdancer named Lego in 1994. This move is kind of like a fancier version of another move called the “Blender.”
Blender: It’s a move where you do a bunch of inside sweeps with your legs while shifting your weight between your two arms. It looks a bit like a move you might see in gymnastics called the “Scissor.” The Blender got popular in the mid-80s after the London All Stars did it in a performance.
Knee Rock: This move involves spinning your upper body while one or both of your knees touch the ground. You switch which arm supports you as you spin. It started getting attention after a breakdancer named Wizard Wiz added it to his routine in the 70s.
Shuffle: It’s a basic move where both your arms are on the ground, and your legs drag and switch places with each other quickly at the back. Lots of breakdancers have put their own twist on the Shuffle since the 70s.
Sweep: This move is pretty simple – one leg makes a wide circle sweep. It started showing up in the breakdancing world in the mid-70s, around the same time as the Helicopter. Some people think it was inspired by old kung-fu movies, just like the Helicopter.