Floor steps around the hands
Ready when: A first toprock (b2) done; wrists and neck warmed up.
What you are learning
Simple floor footwork: from a crouch with the hands on the floor, the feet take small steps around the hands, bottom off the floor and core firm. It joins to toprock with a go-down, so the dance moves from standing to the floor and back.
Words on this card 8 counts, Toprock, Go-down, 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.
- Go-down
- Moving from standing to the floor with control.
- 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; slow music.
Weather: any weather indoors
Show it first for the one teaching
- Crouch with both hands flat on the floor in front, bottom off the floor.
- Take 4 small steps round to one side, the hands staying where they are.
- Take 4 steps back to where you started.
- Count to 8 aloud as you go.
Your part while they practise
Count the eight aloud; watch from the side.
Step by step
- Crouch with both hands on the floor.
- 4 small steps round one way, 4 back, bottom off the floor.
- Then the six-step from Six-step footwork (b3) at half speed.
- Walk each through slowly without music, then on the beat.
How much: 4 rounds of 8 counts each 8 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: Up, down, up
Toprock 8 counts, go down to the hands, floor steps 8 counts, stand up on the next 1.
Who plays: 1 or more dancers; you count.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- 8 counts of toprock
- Go down to the hands on the next 1
- 8 counts of floor steps
- Stand up on the next 1. 5 tries
- Fair play
- A younger child dances it without music first.
- Points
- 1 point for each part done on the beat: toprock, go-down, floor steps, stand-up. Up to 4 a try.
- Fouls
- No point for that part
- Losing the count
- The bottom on the floor
- A hand slips
- Winning
- Beat your best total.
- 10 points for 1 star
- 15 points for 2 stars
- 20 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Half speed, no music.
Join the floor steps and the six-step without a stop.
What you will see, and what to say
- the hands slip
Press the floor flat
Fingers spread, the whole hand pushing. - the count is lost
Count out loud to 8
Say each number as you step. - the bottom sits on the floor
Stay up on hands and feet
Lift the hips; the tummy works.
Self-check
2 rounds of 8 counts in a row on the beat 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, rhythm.
awiseathlete.com/sports/breaking/breaking-b5