Six-step footwork
Ready when: A first toprock (b2) done; wrists warmed up.
What you are learning
Footwork means steps done on the floor with the weight on the hands. The six-step is the classic first footwork: the feet walk a full circle around the hands in six steps and end where they started. It builds wrist strength and balance.
Words on this card 8 counts, Toprock, Footwork, Six-step
- 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.
- Footwork
- Steps done on the floor with the weight on the hands.
- Six-step
- A classic first footwork: the feet walk a full circle around the hands in six steps.
Set up
A smooth, even floor or a mat; the music at a slow pace.
Weather: any weather indoors
Show it first for the one teaching
- Crouch with both hands flat on the floor in front of you, bottom up off the floor, tummy firm.
- Walk the feet in a full circle around the hands in six small steps, lifting one hand at a time to let a leg pass.
- Finish back in the crouch where you started, counting "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6" aloud.
- If you are not sure of the exact steps, ask a breaking teacher to show them first.
Your part while they practise
Watch from the side; count the six steps aloud.
Step by step
- Crouch, hands flat, core firm.
- Walk through the six steps very slowly, with no music.
- Then do them on the beat.
- A teacher should check the pattern.
How much: 4 rounds of 8 counts 6 min a session 3 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Floor drawing
Mark where the feet land with chalk, then dance the six-step on the marks.
Who plays: 1 dancer, with you checking the marks.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Do the six-step very slowly while you chalk (or tape) where each foot lands
- Number the marks 1 to 6
- Dance the six-step stepping on the marks in order, counting aloud
- 5 tries
- Fair play
- A younger child goes at half speed.
- Points
- 1 point for each step landed on the right mark: up to 6 a try.
- Fouls
- No point for that step
- The bottom touches the floor
- A hand slips
- The wrong order
- Winning
- Beat your best total.
- 15 points for 1 star
- 22 points for 2 stars
- 28 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Half speed.
Double speed, or combine with the toprock.
What you will see, and what to say
- the hands slip
Press the floor flat
The whole hand, fingers spread, pushes into the floor. - the steps lose the count
Say 1-2-3-4-5-6 out loud
One number for each step.
Self-check
The six-step 4 times in a row at slow tempo without stopping.
Stop and get a coach when
Wrist or shoulder pain after the drill; stop for the day.
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 footwork, balance, wrist strength.
awiseathlete.com/sports/breaking/breaking-b3