Breaking
Dance
The 8 basic elements of breaking every beginner should know
From Top Rock and Go Downs to Footwork, Freezes and Power Moves – here’s a breakdown of the essential elements every breaker needs to know.
Breaking – the dance style often known as Breakdance – is a dynamic combination of moves that b-boys and b-girls mix together in a creative, rhythmic flow. But, just like any other physical discipline, breaking has a handful of fundamental elements that make up the dance form. Every breaker learns these basics before putting them together to 'throw down' in a cypher or battle.
This is what it looks like in action, as seen at the Red Bull BC One World Final 2025:
Red Bull BC One World Final Japan
Feel the energy of Tokyo as the world’s greatest b-boys and b-girls battle for the ultimate title.
Here’s a rundown of the basic elements a breaker might use when throwing down.
01
Top Rock
Ken Swift teaches Top Rocks
© Balazs Palfi/Red Bull Content Pool
Top Rock is when a breaker dances while standing, and it’s how most breakers start a throw down before hitting the floor. There’s no set amount of time a breaker is expected to Top Rock for, but a b-boy or b-girl will usually dance on top for at least one or two eight-counts of the music. Using a variety of Top Rock steps, complemented by hand and arm gestures, breakers can showcase their rhythm, personality and ability to play with the music while still standing.
Examples of Top Rock steps include the Indian Step and the Cross Step.
02
Go Downs
B-Boy RA1ON with a classic Knee Drop
© Jason Halayko/Red Bull Content Pool
A Go Down is the move a breaker uses to get from their Top Rock down to the floor. Ideally, this happens as a seamless transition that grows out of the flow of the breaker’s Top Rock, taking them to the floor without breaking the rhythm of their dance.
Examples of basic Go Downs include the Knee Drop, Spin Down and Hook Drop.
A breaker can also go down from their Top Rock straight into a freeze, power move or trick.
03
Footwork
B-Girl Kimie shows off her footwork
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
Footwork in breaking is when a b-boy or b-girl is down on the floor, using their hands for support as they move their legs through a variety of breaking footwork steps.
Examples of basic breaking footwork steps include the Six Step, Three Step, shuffles, kick outs and CCs.
Breaking Footwork is mostly performed through rhythmic, circular and rotational movements using the legs and hips. It can also travel in straight or diagonal lines across the floor, or form much more complex patterns.
04
Freezes
Lee holds a freeze
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
A Freeze is when a b-boy or b-girl hits and holds a solid shape with their body for a few seconds. This is usually done to hit a prominent sound in the music, creating a full-stop ending to a combination of movements. A Freeze will often signal the end of that particular sequence.
Examples of basic breaking Freezes include the Baby Freeze, Chair Freeze and Elbow Freeze.
If you want to see breaking at the highest level of competition, check out the international 1-on-1 championship Red Bull BC One.
Red Bull BC One World Final Brazil
The world's top b-boys and b-girls do battle in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
05
Transitions
B-Girl Jazzy uses threads as a transition between moves
© Jason Halayko/Red Bull Content Pool
Transitions are the movements breakers use to get in and out of their moves, or to connect the Footwork, Freezes, tricks and Power Moves they want to combine.
When done well, transitions are barely noticeable because they’re so seamless. They allow a b-boy or b-girl to maintain a dynamic, smooth flow while breaking, connecting one move to the next without interrupting the rhythm.
Examples of transitions include sweeps, pretzels and spins.
06
Power Moves
B-Girl Riko does a head spin
© Jason Halayko/Red Bull Content Pool
Power Moves are some of the most dynamic elements of breaking. While any movement in breaking can be performed with power, a 'Power Move' generally refers to a move where a b-boy or b-girl propels their whole body into a continuous spinning or rotational motion, balancing on their hands, elbows, head, back or shoulders. A breaker might repeat one Power Move through a sequence before ending in a Freeze, or combine different Power Moves, flowing from one into another.
Examples of breaking Power Moves include Head spins, Flares, Air Flares, Windmills and 1990s.
07
Tricks
Uzee Rock pulling off the Uzee Spin against Victor
© Dean Treml/Red Bull Content Pool
A Trick in breaking is when a b-boy or b-girl takes a conventional breaking step, Freeze or Power Move and adds an unconventional dimension or twist to it. Examples include hopping Air Chairs, handstand walking between Air Flares, or leg threading while performing hand hops.
08
Flips
Hong 10 does a flip
© Little Shao/Red Bull Content Pool
Breaking is an acrobatic dance form, and breakers also use a range of flips and somersaults to add another dynamic to their throw downs. It’s common to see a breaker flip between, or directly into, Power Moves, Tricks or Freezes.
And those are the eight basic elements of a throw down. A b-boy or b-girl will usually use at least three or more of these elements when throwing down. The more highly skilled a breaker becomes, the better they are at executing each element, as well as combining them in fresh, original, seamless and surprising ways that fit and play with the music.
You can see some of the basic elements of breaking in action in the ABC of… Breaking:
18 minuta
ABC of… Breaking
Take a journey through breaking to dive into the dopest moves, hip hop culture and how the dance was born.
