Newbie's Guide to Breakdancing
Breakdancing, also known as bboying or bgirling (refer to breakdance history), is not only a set of moves and tricks, but also a dance form.
1. Choose a Direction. Pick a direction. Breakdance moves either go clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW). If you don't choose a direction from the start, you'll have to relearn all of your breakdancing moves as you won't be able to combo them. Most move guides will list which direction it is written for. If you go clockwise, and you're reading a counter-clockwise guide, just switch the directions. For instance, if you go CW and you're reading a CCW flare guide, it'll tell you to place your left hand down first. For CW flare, you would place your right hand down first.
2. The Four Elements of Breakdancing. Breakdancing is composed of toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. Toprock is an upright dance that displays your style. It is an integral part of breakdancing and will often precede footwork and power moves in a set/run. There also exists a "power toprock" which is used mainly as a filler before executing power moves/combos when a "power beat" hits. Footwork consists of footsteps done on the floor. Usually, the hands and feet are both on the ground. Freezes involve holding the body in an awkward position. Freezes are often used to end sets, but can also be combined and used independently. Power moves are mainly moves that require momentum to execute. These moves are often physically demanding and include flares, headspins, etc. Many bboys and bgirls look down upon "powerheads" (breakdancers that only do power) as they neglect the rest of the dance.
3. Battles. Breakdancers often engage in battles, competitions usually between two persons or a crew (a team of dancers). The winner depends on the tastes' of a judge. Breakdancers are commonly graded on style, uniqueness, technique, complexity, etc.
4. Develop Your Style. DO NOT BITE (COPY) OTHER DANCERS! Biting is heavily looked down upon in the world of breakdancing. There is style in everything! This includes toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. For instance, the manner in which a power move is executed (i.e. with one leg bent) can be considered style. Learn the foundation (six step, etc.) and build from there, but DO NOT watch another breakdancer and steal his moves, routines, or individual style. Define and express yourself! Do not follow in another's footsteps.
5. Session! Session with others. Practice, practice, practice! Join a crew, get a friend to give you tips, film yourself and go on BBoy Zone Forums to get tips, do whatever it takes to get better!
This article is taken from www.bboyzone.com Breakdancing, also known as bboying or bgirling (refer to breakdance history), is not
only a set of moves and tricks, but also a dance form.
1. Choose a Direction. Pick a direction. Breakdance moves either go clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW). If you don't choose a direction from the start, you'll have to relearn all of your breakdancing moves as you won't be able to combo them. Most move guides will list which direction it is written for. If you go clockwise, and you're reading a counter-clockwise guide, just switch the directions. For instance, if you go CW and you're reading a CCW flare guide, it'll tell you to place your left hand down first. For CW flare, you would place your right hand down first.
2. The Four Elements of Breakdancing. Breakdancing is composed of toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. Toprock is an upright dance that displays your style. It is an integral part of breakdancing and will often precede footwork and power moves in a set/run. There also exists a "power toprock" which is used mainly as a filler before executing power moves/combos when a "power beat" hits. Footwork consists of footsteps done on the floor. Usually, the hands and feet are both on the ground. Freezes involve holding the body in an awkward position. Freezes are often used to end sets, but can also be combined and used independently. Power moves are mainly moves that require momentum to execute. These moves are often physically demanding and include flares, headspins, etc. Many bboys and bgirls look down upon "powerheads" (breakdancers that only do power) as they neglect the rest of the dance.
3. Battles. Breakdancers often engage in battles, competitions usually between two persons or a crew (a team of dancers). The winner depends on the tastes' of a judge. Breakdancers are commonly graded on style, uniqueness, technique, complexity, etc.
4. Develop Your Style. DO NOT BITE (COPY) OTHER DANCERS! Biting is heavily looked down upon in the world of breakdancing. There is style in everything! This includes toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. For instance, the manner in which a power move is executed (i.e. with one leg bent) can be considered style. Learn the foundation (six step, etc.) and build from there, but DO NOT watch another breakdancer and steal his moves, routines, or individual style. Define and express yourself! Do not follow in another's footsteps.
5. Session! Session with others. Practice, practice, practice! Join a crew, get a friend to give you tips, film yourself and go on BBoy Zone Forums to get tips, do whatever it takes to get better!
This article is taken from www.bboyzone.com Breakdancing, also known as bboying or bgirling (refer to breakdance history), is not
only a set of moves and tricks, but also a dance form.
1. Choose a Direction. Pick a direction. Breakdance moves either go clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW). If you don't choose a direction from the start, you'll have to relearn all of your breakdancing moves as you won't be able to combo them. Most move guides will list which direction it is written for. If you go clockwise, and you're reading a counter-clockwise guide, just switch the directions. For instance, if you go CW and you're reading a CCW flare guide, it'll tell you to place your left hand down first. For CW flare, you would place your right hand down first.
2. The Four Elements of Breakdancing. Breakdancing is composed of toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. Toprock is an upright dance that displays your style. It is an integral part of breakdancing and will often precede footwork and power moves in a set/run. There also exists a "power toprock" which is used mainly as a filler before executing power moves/combos when a "power beat" hits. Footwork consists of footsteps done on the floor. Usually, the hands and feet are both on the ground. Freezes involve holding the body in an awkward position. Freezes are often used to end sets, but can also be combined and used independently. Power moves are mainly moves that require momentum to execute. These moves are often physically demanding and include flares, headspins, etc. Many bboys and bgirls look down upon "powerheads" (breakdancers that only do power) as they neglect the rest of the dance.
3. Battles. Breakdancers often engage in battles, competitions usually between two persons or a crew (a team of dancers). The winner depends on the tastes' of a judge. Breakdancers are commonly graded on style, uniqueness, technique, complexity, etc.
4. Develop Your Style. DO NOT BITE (COPY) OTHER DANCERS! Biting is heavily looked down upon in the world of breakdancing. There is style in everything! This includes toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. For instance, the manner in which a power move is executed (i.e. with one leg bent) can be considered style. Learn the foundation (six step, etc.) and build from there, but DO NOT watch another breakdancer and steal his moves, routines, or individual style. Define and express yourself! Do not follow in another's footsteps.
5. Session! Session with others. Practice, practice, practice! Join a crew, get a friend to give you tips, film yourself and go on BBoy Zone Forums to get tips, do whatever it takes to get better!
This article is taken from www.bboyzone.com Breakdancing, also known as bboying or bgirling (refer to breakdance history), is not
only a set of moves and tricks, but also a dance form.
1. Choose a Direction. Pick a direction. Breakdance moves either go clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW). If you don't choose a direction from the start, you'll have to relearn all of your breakdancing moves as you won't be able to combo them. Most move guides will list which direction it is written for. If you go clockwise, and you're reading a counter-clockwise guide, just switch the directions. For instance, if you go CW and you're reading a CCW flare guide, it'll tell you to place your left hand down first. For CW flare, you would place your right hand down first.
2. The Four Elements of Breakdancing. Breakdancing is composed of toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. Toprock is an upright dance that displays your style. It is an integral part of breakdancing and will often precede footwork and power moves in a set/run. There also exists a "power toprock" which is used mainly as a filler before executing power moves/combos when a "power beat" hits. Footwork consists of footsteps done on the floor. Usually, the hands and feet are both on the ground. Freezes involve holding the body in an awkward position. Freezes are often used to end sets, but can also be combined and used independently. Power moves are mainly moves that require momentum to execute. These moves are often physically demanding and include flares, headspins, etc. Many bboys and bgirls look down upon "powerheads" (breakdancers that only do power) as they neglect the rest of the dance.
3. Battles. Breakdancers often engage in battles, competitions usually between two persons or a crew (a team of dancers). The winner depends on the tastes' of a judge. Breakdancers are commonly graded on style, uniqueness, technique, complexity, etc.
4. Develop Your Style. DO NOT BITE (COPY) OTHER DANCERS! Biting is heavily looked down upon in the world of breakdancing. There is style in everything! This includes toprock, footwork, freezes, and power moves. For instance, the manner in which a power move is executed (i.e. with one leg bent) can be considered style. Learn the foundation (six step, etc.) and build from there, but DO NOT watch another breakdancer and steal his moves, routines, or individual style. Define and express yourself! Do not follow in another's footsteps.
5. Session! Session with others. Practice, practice, practice! Join a crew, get a friend to give you tips, film yourself and go on BBoy Zone Forums to get tips, do whatever it takes to get better!
This article is taken from www.bboyzone.com
Written by Administrator
12 February 2009