HOW TO BREAKDANCE: SUICIDE (DEADMAN)

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August 1, 2024 In Break Dance

Breaking, also known as breakdancing, is a dynamic and expressive form of street dance that has captivated audiences worldwide. Among its many impressive moves, the Suicide (also known as Deadman) stands out as a visually striking and deceptively simple technique. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the Suicide move, provide step-by-step instructions, and offer valuable tips to help you master this iconic breakdancing move.

What is the Suicide (Deadman) Move?

The Suicide, or Deadman, is a breaking move that combines elements of power moves with a dramatic finish. Despite its intimidating name, it’s actually a relatively safe and accessible move when executed correctly. The Suicide involves initiating a windmill-like motion and then abruptly stopping the rotation to land flat on your back, creating the illusion of a sudden collapse or “suicide.”

Why Learn the Suicide Move?

  • Visual Impact: The Suicide creates a dramatic effect that can surprise and impress audiences.
  • Versatility: It can be used as a standalone move or as a transition between other techniques.
  • Accessibility: It’s easier to learn than many power moves, making it great for beginners.
  • Skill Development: Learning the Suicide helps develop body control and spatial awareness.

Prerequisites

Before attempting to learn the Suicide, it’s helpful to have some foundational breaking skills:

  1. Turtle Freeze: The starting position for the Suicide.
  2. Basic Windmill: Understanding the windmill motion will help, but it’s not absolutely necessary.
  3. Back Spin: Familiarity with back spins will make the landing more comfortable.

While having these skills is beneficial, it’s worth noting that the Suicide can often be learned before mastering a full windmill. In fact, it can serve as a stepping stone towards more complex power moves.

Safety Considerations

Before we dive into the technique, let’s address some important safety considerations:

  • Practice Surface: Always practice on a proper breaking surface, such as a smooth, clean floor or a breaking mat.
  • Warm-up: Thoroughly warm up your body, especially your back and core muscles.
  • Spotting: When first learning, have a spotter or experienced breaker watch and guide you.
  • Progression: Start with slower, controlled movements before attempting the full-speed move.
  • Listen to Your Body: If you feel pain or discomfort, stop and rest.

Breaking Down the Suicide Move

Let’s break the Suicide move into its component parts:

Step 1: Starting Position

  1. Begin in a turtle freeze position.
  2. Your hands should be flat on the ground, shoulder-width apart.
  3. Your head should be tucked, with your chin close to your chest.
  4. Your knees should be tucked in towards your chest.
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Step 2: Initiate the Windmill Motion

  1. From the turtle position, start to roll onto your back.
  2. As you roll, open your legs slightly, keeping them crossed at the ankles.
  3. Your arms should be ready to assist in the twisting motion.

Step 3: The Kick and Twist

  1. As you land on your upper back, kick both feet up into the air.
  2. Simultaneously, twist your body hard in the direction of the windmill.
  3. Use your head to guide the rotation, looking in the direction you’re twisting.

Step 4: The “Suicide” Landing

  1. Just as you would continue rotating in a windmill, instead, you’ll abort the rotation.
  2. Open your body completely, spreading your arms and legs.
  3. Land flat on your back, creating the “deadman” effect.

Key Techniques and Tips

Momentum Control

The key to a smooth Suicide is controlling your momentum. You need enough force to initiate the twist, but not so much that you can’t stop the rotation for the landing.

Body Positioning

  • Keep your core engaged throughout the move.
  • Use your arms to help control the rotation and landing.
  • Keep your chin tucked to protect your head during the landing.

The Twist

The twisting motion is crucial for the Suicide. Practice the twist separately, focusing on using your entire body to generate the rotation.

The Abort

Learning when and how to abort the rotation is the essence of the Suicide move. Practice stopping your rotation at different points to get a feel for the control required.

The Landing

A clean, flat landing is what sells the “deadman” effect. Practice landing softly and evenly across your back.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Insufficient Twist

Problem: Not generating enough rotation, resulting in an awkward or incomplete move. Solution: Focus on using your entire body, especially your core and hips, to create a powerful twist.

Over-rotation

Problem: Rotating too far, making it difficult to land flat on your back. Solution: Practice aborting the rotation at different points until you find the sweet spot.

Uneven Landing

Problem: Landing on one side of your back instead of flat. Solution: Keep your body straight and your arms spread wide as you land.

Head Impact

Problem: Hitting your head on the ground during the landing. Solution: Keep your chin tucked and use your arms to control the landing.

Lack of Commitment

Problem: Hesitating or holding back due to fear of falling. Solution: Start with slower, controlled practice and gradually build up speed and confidence.

Progressing Your Suicide

Once you’ve mastered the basic Suicide, you can start exploring variations and combinations:

1. Suicide from Standing

Start the move from a standing position, dropping into the turtle freeze before initiating the Suicide.

2. Continuous Suicides

Practice linking multiple Suicides together, alternating the direction of your twist.

3. Suicide to Freeze

Instead of remaining “dead” after landing, transition into a freeze like the baby freeze or chair freeze.

4. Suicide as a Transition

Use the Suicide as a transition between other power moves or top rock sequences.

Incorporating the Suicide into Your Sets

The Suicide can be a powerful addition to your breaking repertoire. Here are some ways to incorporate it into your sets:

  • As a Surprise Ending: Use it to abruptly end a sequence of power moves.
  • To Break Patterns: Throw it in unexpectedly to keep your audience guessing.
  • In Battles: Use it as a punctuation mark after a particularly impressive sequence.
  • For Comedy: The dramatic “deadman” effect can be played for laughs in the right context.
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Building Strength and Flexibility for the Suicide

While the Suicide doesn’t require as much raw strength as some power moves, building certain muscle groups can help improve your execution:

Core Strength

A strong core is essential for controlling the twist and maintaining body position. Incorporate exercises like planks, Russian twists, and bicycle crunches into your training.

Back Flexibility

Increased back flexibility will make the landing more comfortable and reduce the risk of injury. Practice back bridges and cat-cow stretches regularly.

Shoulder Mobility

Good shoulder mobility helps with the arm positioning during the twist and landing. Include arm circles and shoulder stretches in your warm-up routine.

Mental Preparation and Overcoming Fear

The Suicide can be intimidating, especially for beginners. Here are some tips for overcoming the mental barriers:

  • Visualization: Mentally rehearse the move before attempting it physically.
  • Gradual Progression: Start with partial movements and slowly work up to the full move.
  • Positive Self-talk: Remind yourself that you’re capable and prepared.
  • Learn from Falls: Don’t be discouraged by falls or mishaps. They’re part of the learning process.

The Importance of Practice and Patience

Mastering the Suicide, like any breaking move, takes time and consistent practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t nail it right away. Remember:

  • Regular Practice: Set aside time for focused practice sessions.
  • Quality over Quantity: It’s better to do a few controlled, quality attempts than many sloppy ones.
  • Record Yourself: Video your practice sessions to analyze your technique and track progress.
  • Seek Feedback: Ask experienced breakers for critiques and advice.

Integrating the Suicide into Your Breaking Style

As you become more comfortable with the Suicide, think about how it fits into your overall breaking style:

  • Signature Variations: Develop your own unique way of entering or exiting the move.
  • Musicality: Practice timing the Suicide with different beats and rhythms.
  • Combinations: Experiment with moves that flow well into and out of the Suicide.
  • Character: Use the dramatic nature of the move to express your personality on the dance floor.

Safety Reminders

As you practice and perform the Suicide, always keep safety in mind:

  • Never attempt the move on hard or uneven surfaces.
  • Always warm up properly before practice or performance.
  • Listen to your body and rest if you feel pain or excessive fatigue.
  • Don’t attempt the move in crowded spaces where you might collide with others.

Conclusion

The Suicide, or Deadman, is a visually striking and surprisingly accessible breaking move that can add a dramatic flair to your sets. While it may seem intimidating at first, with proper technique, consistent practice, and patience, you can master this impressive technique.

Remember that breaking is not just about mastering individual moves; it’s about self-expression, creativity, and being part of a vibrant community. The Suicide is just one tool in your breaking toolkit. Use it to enhance your style, surprise your audience, and express yourself on the dance floor.

As you continue to work on your Suicide, don’t hesitate to seek feedback from more experienced breakers or join practice sessions with others. Learning alongside peers can be both motivating and fun, and you’ll often pick up valuable tips and insights from others in the breaking community.

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Keep pushing your limits, stay passionate about your craft, and most importantly, have fun as you explore the world of breaking. With dedication and practice, you’ll be hitting clean Suicides and impressing crowds in no time!

Remember, the journey of a breaker is ongoing. Even as you master the Suicide, there will always be new moves to learn, combinations to create, and ways to innovate. Embrace the process, celebrate your progress, and keep dancing!

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