Learn How To Critical | OG Fresh (LA Breakers)

Breaking, also known as b-boying or b-girling, is a dynamic and expressive dance form that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. As breakers constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible, new moves and techniques emerge, challenging dancers to elevate their skills. One such move that has gained prominence in the breaking community is the Critical. In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll dive deep into the intricacies of this advanced move, guided by none other than OG Fresh from LA Breakers, one of the pioneers who helped develop and popularize the Critical.

Introduction to the Critical

The Critical is a complex and visually stunning power move that combines elements of footwork, freezes, and acrobatics. It’s a move that requires a high level of body control, strength, and spatial awareness. While it may seem intimidating at first, with proper guidance and consistent practice, intermediate breakers can work their way up to mastering this impressive technique.

Before we delve into the step-by-step breakdown of the Critical, it’s important to note that this is an advanced move. Aspiring breakers should have a solid foundation in basic breaking techniques and be comfortable with various power moves before attempting the Critical. Safety should always be a top priority, so make sure to warm up properly and practice in a suitable environment.

Who is OG Fresh?

OG Fresh, a respected member of the LA Breakers crew, is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the Critical. His contributions to the development and popularization of this move have solidified his place in breaking history. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the move’s mechanics, OG Fresh is the perfect instructor to guide us through the intricacies of the Critical.

Breaking Down the Critical: Step-by-Step

Let’s break down the Critical into its core components and explore each step in detail. Remember, this is a complex move that requires patience and dedication to master.

Step 1: The Setup

Start in a squatting position with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart
Keep your back straight and your core engaged
Place your hands on the ground in front of you, shoulder-width apart

Step 2: The Spin Initiation

Push off with your legs and begin to rotate your body
As you spin, lift your hips and legs off the ground
Keep your arms straight and use them as a pivot point

Step 3: The Leg Sweep

As your body rotates, extend one leg out to the side
Sweep this leg in a circular motion, parallel to the ground
Use the momentum of this sweep to help continue your rotation

Step 4: The Stab

As your sweeping leg completes its circular motion, quickly bring it back towards your body
At the same time, extend your other leg straight out, “stabbing” it towards the ground
This stab helps to redirect your momentum and set up for the next phase of the move

Step 5: The Freeze

As your stabbing leg makes contact with the ground, shift your weight onto your arms
Quickly tuck your legs in close to your body
Hold this position momentarily, creating a dynamic freeze

Step 6: The Spin-Out

Push off with your stabbing leg and arms simultaneously
Use this force to propel your body into another spin
As you spin, extend both legs out, creating a wide, circular motion

Step 7: The Landing

As you complete the spin-out, begin to lower your body back towards the ground
Bend your knees to absorb the impact
Land softly on your feet, returning to the initial squatting position

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

As with any complex breaking move, there are several common mistakes that beginners often make when learning the Critical. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you avoid them and progress more quickly:

Lack of momentum: The Critical relies heavily on generating and maintaining momentum throughout the move. Make sure you’re pushing off with enough force in the initial spin and using the leg sweep effectively to keep your rotation going.
Poor arm positioning: Your arms play a crucial role in stabilizing your body during the Critical. Keep them strong and straight during the initial spin, and be mindful of their placement during the freeze and spin-out phases.
Insufficient leg control: The leg movements in the Critical need to be precise and controlled. Practice the leg sweep and stab individually before incorporating them into the full move.
Rushing the freeze: The freeze is a key component of the Critical, adding style and demonstrating control. Don’t rush through this part – hold the position long enough to make it distinct.
Uncontrolled landing: A smooth, controlled landing is essential for both style and safety. Focus on absorbing the impact with bent knees and avoid landing too hard.

Progression Exercises

Mastering the Critical takes time and patience. Here are some progression exercises to help you build the necessary strength, control, and technique:

Windmills: This classic power move helps develop the core strength and rotational awareness needed for the Critical.
Leg sweeps: Practice sweeping your leg in a circular motion while balancing on your hands to improve control and flexibility.
Freezes: Work on various freeze positions to build the strength and balance required for the Critical’s freeze component.
Spin-to-freeze drills: Practice transitioning from a spinning motion into a static freeze to improve your control and timing.
Stab practice: Focus on the quick, precise movement of extending your leg during the stab phase of the Critical.

Tips from OG Fresh

As one of the pioneers of the Critical, OG Fresh offers valuable insights for those looking to master this move:

Start slow: Don’t try to rush through the entire move at once. Break it down into its component parts and practice each section individually.
Focus on technique: Clean execution is more important than speed. Perfect your form before trying to increase your speed.
Build strength: The Critical requires significant upper body and core strength. Incorporate strength training exercises into your practice routine.
Stay relaxed: Tension in your body can hinder your ability to flow through the move smoothly. Practice staying relaxed, even during the most challenging parts of the Critical.
Visualize success: Mental preparation is just as important as physical practice. Visualize yourself successfully completing the Critical to build confidence and muscle memory.

Incorporating the Critical into Your Sets

Once you’ve developed a solid foundation with the Critical, you’ll want to start incorporating it into your breaking sets. Here are some ideas for seamlessly integrating this power move:

Use it as a transition: The Critical can be an excellent way to transition between different elements of your set, such as moving from footwork to power moves.
Combine it with other power moves: Try linking the Critical with other power moves like windmills or flares for an impressive combo.
Add variations: As you become more comfortable with the basic Critical, experiment with variations like changing the freeze position or adding extra rotations.
Use it as a finisher: The dynamic nature of the Critical makes it an excellent move to end your set with a bang.

Safety Considerations

As with any advanced breaking move, safety should be a top priority when practicing the Critical. Here are some important safety considerations to keep in mind:

Proper warm-up: Always warm up thoroughly before attempting the Critical or any other power moves.
Use appropriate surfaces: Practice on suitable surfaces like professional dance mats or sprung floors to reduce the risk of injury.
Spot properly: When first learning the move, have an experienced spotter to help guide you through the motion and prevent falls.
Listen to your body: If you feel pain or discomfort, stop immediately and rest. Pushing through pain can lead to serious injuries.
Gradual progression: Don’t rush into attempting the full move. Take your time to master each component before putting it all together.

The Importance of Originality in Breaking

While learning established moves like the Critical is crucial for developing your breaking skills, it’s equally important to remember the value of originality in this dance form. Breaking has always been about pushing boundaries, expressing individuality, and creating something new.

As you work on mastering the Critical, also take time to explore your own unique style and variations. How can you put your personal spin on this move? What combinations can you create that haven’t been seen before? This balance between learning established techniques and developing your own innovations is what keeps breaking exciting and ever-evolving.

How to do the 6 step? — The Importance of Originality in Breaking

Conclusion

The Critical is a challenging yet rewarding move that can take your breaking to the next level. With guidance from pioneers like OG Fresh and dedicated practice, intermediate breakers can work their way up to mastering this impressive technique. Remember to focus on proper technique, prioritize safety, and most importantly, have fun with the learning process.

As you continue your breaking journey, keep pushing yourself to learn new moves and techniques, but also don’t forget to develop your own unique style. Breaking is as much about self-expression as it is about technical skill.

Lastly, if you’re in the Los Angeles area, don’t miss the opportunity to see some of the best breakers in action at the LA Breakers 35th Anniversary event on August 5th and 6th. Events like these are not only entertaining but also provide invaluable learning opportunities as you observe top-tier breakers showcasing their skills.