Breakdance is one of the most challenging dance forms to learn and it is also the most exciting. No other dance can proclaim to turn heads as much as breakdancing does. It is an art to some, a sport to many and a way of life for others. The dance proclaims independence, aggression, and individuality. It originated as a street dance in the Afro-American ghettoes, where it was mostly used as a method for settling gang wars. Gradually, it evolved into a pop cultural phenomenon because of its innovative and complex combination of moves which are held on a rhythmic base. Perhaps the most famous ‘breaker’ of all was Michael Jackson, who moonwalked this dance into popular consciousness, when he performed the particular step. No wonder, moonwalking is the most recognized dance step in the world. Breakdancing, however, is not hard to learn, if you have the passion and the stamina. Go through the article below to learn all out breakdancing moves.
Step By Step Breakdance Moves
Top Rock
- It is a combination of steps done while standing up.
- This move is done as a prelude to other moves.
- Top rock is the chance to show how well one can rock to the beat and make gestures to intimidate the opponent.
- It makes connection with the song by gesturing to the rhythm section, with the feet stepping on the drum section.
Floor Rocks
- This move is performed while the hips and/or shoulders are touching the floor.
- It also includes flowing or spinning movements.
- This move is generally used in between footwork or as transition moves.
Body Rock
- Here, the dancer lies flat on the back and torques, with only the hips and legs.
- It is done with the shoulders and upper-back touching the ground.
Scissors
- The dancer lies straight on the side and then bends the body, to touch the toes in a scissor motion.
- The dancer then unbends and becomes straight again and then turns in the opposite side to repeat it again.
Belly Swim
- Here, you have to lie on the back and splay the arms out.
- Turn on the belly and sweep the arms out in front of you, to return to the back in a continuous swimming motion.
Body Glide
- Here the legs and arms are splayed as the belly is turned over, like in belly swim.
- The legs are used to glide the momentum for turning.
Side Slide
- The body is spinned on the hip axis by lying on the side and kicking the legs forward and backward like a scissor.
- The rotations are short.
- Sometimes, the arms are folded.
Freezes
- It is a technique that involves halting all the body motion in a balance-intensive position.
Platform
- Some parts of the body touch the ground, holding the rest of the body in position.
- It can have multiple platforms, like two hands and a head.
Stab
- The elbow is stabbed into the abs, hip, side, or back.
- The hands are placed on the floor, holding the body horizontally off the ground.
- The entire body is balanced on the elbow.
Bridge
- Lie down on the back and using your hands over the head and feet on the ground, push the hips until you form an arc-like bridge.
Baby Freeze
- This is a tripod position, where one hand is stabbed and the head and the other hand are used for balance.
- The legs are held in the air and the knee opposite to the balancing arm is placed on it.
Airbaby
- In this type of freeze, one knee is placed on the corresponding elbow, with both the legs in the air.
- The knee resting on the elbow is bent.
Airchair
- The dancer stabs the elbow into the back and balances on it, keeping the legs in the air.
- Another airchair freeze is to hold the body at the waist, with either one or two hands, balancing on the elbows, with the feet and legs in the air.
Side Chair
- The legs and head are lifted off the ground, by stabbing one elbow on the side.
Chair Freeze
- Here, the head is on the ground and the body is balanced with the elbow stabbed on the side.
- The foot is then placed on the ground and the other leg is crossed over it.
Elbow Chair
- The head and supporting elbow touch the ground, while the body is balanced on the head holding on the side.
- Then one foot is placed on the ground and the other leg crosses over it.
Handglide Freeze
- One free arm is used for support, while the other arm is stabbed for balance.
Planche
- Both hands are kept straight and on the ground, while the rest of the body is kept above the ground, horizontally.
Dead Freeze
- This freeze is performed lying flat on the back or stomach, with the legs or arms holding the body up.
- It typically resembles a corpse in a coffin.
Air Anchor
- The ball of the foot is used to support the weight of the body.
- The hand is latched on the ankle, while the elbow is stabbed on the back.
Elbow Nike
- The elbow is supported by keeping it on the ground, along with the other arm.
Shoulder Freeze
- The body is held up using one shoulder, one hand, and the side of the head.
- The other arm is not used to balance and is kept behind.