A first toprock
Ready when: Find the beat (b1) done.
What you are learning
Toprock, the standing-up part of breaking, danced on the beat. The Indian step is a classic first toprock: one foot crosses in front with a small kick, then steps back to the middle, while the arms open and close. Then you add your own touch.
Words on this card Hip-hop posture, 8 counts, Toprock, Indian step, Freeze
- Hip-hop posture
- Feet apart, knees slightly bent, leaning a little forward.
- 8 counts
- Counting the music "1 to 8" and starting again; every move is danced on these counts.
- Toprock
- The standing-up part of breaking, danced on the beat.
- Indian step
- A classic toprock: one foot crosses in front with a small kick, then steps back, then the other.
- Freeze
- A still pose held for a moment, ending a move.
Show it first for the one teaching
- Stand in the hip-hop posture.
- On count 1, cross the right foot in front of the left with a small kick; on 2, step back to the middle.
- On 3 and 4, the same with the left foot. The arms open as the foot crosses and close as it comes back.
- Side step: step out to the side and back on each count.
Your part while they practise
Dance beside the child and copy their version, not the other way round.
Step by step
- The Indian step for 8 counts, 6 times.
- The side step for 8 counts, 6 times.
- Add the arms opening and closing.
How much: each step for 8 counts, 6 times 5 min a session 4 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Copy me
Each person leads 8 counts and the others copy, then each adds one touch of their own.
Who plays: 2 or more, taking turns to lead.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The leader dances 8 counts of toprock
- The others copy it on the next 8 counts
- Everyone dances it again, each adding one change of their own: a turn, a shoulder move, a clap
- Next leader. Everyone leads 3 times
- Fair play
- A younger dancer may copy at half speed.
- Points
- 1 point for copying on the beat; 1 point for adding your own change; the leader scores 1 point if everyone could copy.
- Fouls
- No point
- Losing the beat
- Stopping in the middle
- No change of your own in the third 8
- Winning
- The most points after everyone has led 3 times.
- 4 points for 1 star
- 6 points for 2 stars
- 9 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Half time.
Add a turn on count 8.
What you will see, and what to say
- the child looks at the floor
Chin up
Look out at the room, like dancing for someone. - they freeze when thinking
Keep going, make it yours
Any step on the beat is better than stopping.
Self-check
32 counts of toprock in time without stopping.
Stop and get a coach when
Pain in the knee or ankle.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains upright rhythm, confidence, personal style.
awiseathlete.com/sports/breaking/breaking-b2