How to Breakdance 101: Unleash Your Inner B-Boy 72 Comments

Written by Tim Ferriss Topics: Dance


An impromptu b-boying lesson at home after some Bulleit bourbon. Don’t drink and dance.

Breakin’ 2 did it. It was 1984 and I was convinced I would be a professional breakdancer. Alas, I was seven years old, and I looked exactly like this reader who left a comment on my tango instructional post:

Tim,

I’m pretty impressed by your achievements in tango, but what about tips on your first love?

B-boying is a sport I’ve watched and attempted for years. Sadly, the minute I go from uprock to six-step I look like a two-year-old trying to find spilled jelly-beans.

I don’t know what to do. Can you offer any tips on learning how to storm floors?

PS: Nice freeze on the Jones Soda. I don’t know much about tango, but I do know how hard b-boying is. I’m from Seattle and I’m damn proud.

I didn’t rediscover breakdancing (aka b-boying, not to be confused with popping or locking a la Michael Jackson) until 1997 when I found a few scattered videos of breakdancing online. I download horrible written instructions, crappy 10-second video clips, and resolved to learn how to do my favorite move–windmills–before college graduation. Death or windmills.

Months of bruised hips and humiliation later, I was able to do them. It was almost all guess work and took far too long. I’ve since found better methods for building on basics in a logical progression.

In this post, I will teach you the basics of footwork. If you’ve ever dreamed of breakdancing (and who hasn’t?), this is enough to let you check it off the list…

- Six-step and six-step variations
- Basic flourishes that take 2-10 minutes to learn
- How to enter and exit footwork without looking like an idiot

First, a brief demonstration of what is possible with a mediocre build for breaking.

I am not a good breakdancer, and I’ve never claimed to be one, but I can do enough to use it for dramatic effect around untrained eyes. Assuming you have semi-healthy joints, you can learn how to do the following in 1-2 weeks, and I’ll teach you most of it in the next 10 minutes. This was on-the-spot, in dress shoes, at a conference after months of no practice, which goes to show how simple the moves really are:

Onward to How to Breakdance 101. I cut off my head, as the feet are more important:


This is enough to make an impression around non-b-boys.

Keep in mind that I now b-boy perhaps three times a year, and only for a few minutes at a time. These moves are not hard on the joints and will stay with you. Some other rules of thumb:

1) Thou shalt not break drunk or buzzed. Joints don’t like it.
2) Thou shalt not break on surfaces that might have spilled drinks. Ditto for joints and foreheads.
3) Thou shalt bring a second t-shirt if they plan on not being a sweaty bastard around others.
4) Thou shalt not break in public until reviewing video of themselves. Self-monitoring while breaking is not accurate. Mediocre breakdancing is more of a liability than no breakdancing. Take a few days to get the basics down before showcasing.

Have fun! It’s a great and unusual world to explore.

Here’s how the pros do it–take the time to watch this one:

Posted on October 25th, 2009

Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That's how we're gonna be -- cool. Critical is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration)

72 Responses to “How to Breakdance 101: Unleash Your Inner B-Boy”

  • Kevin Kane
    October 25th, 2009
    6:01 pm

    Pretty “fly” old school breakdance moves there Tim! You’ve got that natural flow!

  • David Turnbull
    October 25th, 2009
    6:07 pm

    Sweet. Always wondered when you were going to cover breakdancing. You seemed to have discussed everything mentioned in 4HWW apart from this. :)

  • Cameron Hurd
    October 25th, 2009
    6:10 pm

    Tim,

    Stellar choice for an article. This caught me pleasantly off guard, as most things here do, and I love getting a little insight into this, because you’re right. Who *hasn’t* thought of trying this before?

    - Cam

  • Mario
    October 25th, 2009
    6:13 pm

    Ha! What those guys do in the competition is insane! It’s a bit tricky I guess but I’ll start with the basics in your videos!

    Excellent stuff as always Tim, keep up the great work!

  • David Walsh
    October 25th, 2009
    6:16 pm

    Tim this post is so money. I started toying with break last year in the same way – poor vids & step-by-steps. Bruised hips and humiliation? Check, check. Windmills were the holy grail and every hint of progress felt like a lifetime achievement. Classic line.. “Mediocre breakdancing is more of a liability than no breakdancing.”

    Sometimes it’s fun (albeit a bit dick) to go to clubs and covertly orchestrate a break circle, then watch everyone look around until they realize there’s no actual b-boys in the room.

  • Michael
    October 25th, 2009
    6:41 pm

    Nice moves Tim.

    Always wondered when you’d cover the topic of break dancing since it was mentioned in 4 hour work week. Nice videos too, except… where’s the big boom-box hiding?

    Mike

  • Joe
    October 25th, 2009
    6:57 pm

    …still waiting for that windmill. Pretty aggressive! I’m still trying to master the moonwalk.

  • Todd
    October 25th, 2009
    7:22 pm

    Man I suck at breakdancing :(

  • Greg
    October 25th, 2009
    7:41 pm

    My kids were mortified to learn I had done this when I was just a tad bit older than they are today. My wife, too, for that matter… Nice videos!

  • Christian
    October 25th, 2009
    7:45 pm

    That is so cool! This is why I read blogs…

    Rock on!

  • King
    October 25th, 2009
    8:14 pm

    nice, Tim.

    Are you in japan? im digging the minimalist room with the wood accents. Thanks for keeping the posts fresh and informative. To me, you and Seth Godin are irreplaceable in that aspect. Take care!

    King

  • Tim
    October 25th, 2009
    8:52 pm

    Finally! Been waiting for this for awhile. We share similar interests here and I’ve always wanted to see your take. Way to flow bro.

  • Carl Nelson
    October 25th, 2009
    9:40 pm

    As a dancer I think it’s great that you introduce this aspect to more people.

    I remember that tango article and always appreciate it when someone is willing to go out there and share their interest in dance to so many people.

    Also, a nice break down of the six-step basic. I hadn’t heard the tip about the palm vs. the finger bend and will work with that a bit to see how it feels.

  • JimBob
    October 25th, 2009
    10:17 pm

    Wow, thoroughly enjoyed watching Lilou. Amazing talent. Thanks for showing me that.

  • Stephen Wise
    October 25th, 2009
    10:42 pm

    If I ever wanted to hit up a football game and get free tickets, I’d throw down a cardboard box on the sidewalk, cause a hurricane from my windmills, and make mad tip money. Hell, they may even throw me a couple cold ones, to loosen me up a little.

  • Ebun Omoni
    October 26th, 2009
    12:16 am

    Nice post! I’ve been breaking for a while and enjoy learning about other people’s experience and exposure to it

    Also, I’m glad you included those 4 rules of thumbs to keep in mind. Anyone who breaks for long enough would have figured it out sooner or later but it’s always nice to learn from other people’s experience.

  • cheapshot
    October 26th, 2009
    1:50 am

    wahaha, brilliant. I’ll get right on it! Gotta show off how Mickey Mouse can breakdance at this Friday’s Halloween party!!

  • heuristic
    October 26th, 2009
    2:09 am

    That is some of the funniest video I’ve seen in quite some time, particlarly the “locking” one. Why not just go to clown school?

  • Jonny
    October 26th, 2009
    2:14 am

    Right I now need a new hip.

  • Rick A. Griffith
    October 26th, 2009
    2:37 am

    That breaking competition was filthy. Nice tutorial too. I’ve messed around with this before myself but always found it hard to look cool coming in and out of the 6 step, good info.

  • Michael
    October 26th, 2009
    2:55 am

    Tim, you should stick with ballroom dancing :-)

    Nice post. Helping people to expand their lifestyle horizons. I like it.

  • Charlie
    October 26th, 2009
    4:54 am

    Awesome Tim, I was waiting for this, my windmills haven’t connected yet and I’ve been performing bboying for two years haha

    I may or may not be overcompensating on style lol

    I’ve used the principles in your book to travel to France, where I’m currently at (on month 3 of a 4 month trip) and I’m currently practicing at Lilou’s stomping grounds (outside the opera at hotel de ville in Lyon)

    Couldn’t ask for a better role model (you), especially as an adrenaline junkie

    I’ve also used the principles in your book to get laser eye surgery to help me compete and to get rid of so much time consuming trash so that I can have days like yesterday where I bboy for 3 hours and take a break to skateboard for 4 hours.

    Now, what I fear most: Muse creation

    Cheers

  • Schmidty
    October 26th, 2009
    5:26 am

    Awesome Tim. Great to see another how to post like this. Thanks.

  • Keith
    October 26th, 2009
    6:05 am

    Nice work Tim!

    3 tips to take to you to the next level.

    1. Keep your all your steps small, esp. your toprocking, it will make everything look neater and faster.

    2. Stay on your toes the whole time, toprocking and footwork. esp for your “flourishes” at the front, don’t extend your weight too far, keep it right under your hips.

    3. Have somewhere for your hands to go when they leave the ground when you do footwork, so they don’t flail in the air. touching your hip or head are good places to start

    Great tip on the hands, some people use there fingetips if they lack the flexibility but it it’s risky. and you sped up jumping six step is called a three step.

    All the best, nice work!!

    Kool Keith

  • Noah F
    October 26th, 2009
    7:13 am

    What a killer post.

    I’m going to dedicate my entire day to this.

    Just awesome.

  • Noah F
    October 26th, 2009
    7:17 am

    I just wanted to add.

    Tim, you’ve got some killer moves.

  • Adrian
    October 26th, 2009
    7:26 am

    Consider it done.

  • baahar
    October 26th, 2009
    8:31 am

    I most probably will not try this at home :) , but I appreciate your efforts to make the videos. The second video is a little dark though.

  • David
    October 26th, 2009
    8:45 am

    When are you guys going to do another episode of random?

  • Anna McMahon
    October 26th, 2009
    8:54 am

    I love breakdancing. I should say I love to watch people break dance. I have tried myself but I just cannot do it. It is probably because I’m a girl since most the people you see breakdancing are guys.

  • Alberto
    October 26th, 2009
    9:05 am

    Brings me waaaaay back! Good stuff with the uprocking! Now you have to do a windmill tutorial. Make sure you include the different variations-nutcrakers, napoleans, eggbeaters etc. Lol! Tim, what’s the name and artist of the song playing in the background?

  • Chris Mower
    October 26th, 2009
    9:05 am

    I used to dance quite a bit, but it’s been 8 or so years since I’ve really put on the shoes. Not sure if b-boying is my style, but it sure is fun to watch. Thanks for posting.

  • Joe
    October 26th, 2009
    9:05 am

    Are these videos on vimeo?

    I’m in China now, and as I’m sure you know, China doesn’t like YouTube.

    If they’re not on vimeo, any tips on bypassing the great firewall? Nothing seems to work very well these days.

  • Oleg Mokhov
    October 26th, 2009
    9:52 am

    “Music has just as much to do with movement and body as it does soul and intellect.” -Esa-Pekka Salonen

    Hey Tim,

    If you can walk, you can dance.

    Music isn’t a separate object but the juice that energizes and flows through our body. Sitting motionless while music is playing is like only listening to movies without watching. You only get half the effect.

    Like you, I’ve always been infatuated with b-boying. I have a few amateur-looking moves under my belt, and bust them out occasionally in public for some mood-lifting. These videos are awesome and exactly what I need: quick and effective methods to improve my moves without dedicating many hours to become a pro or something.

    Thanks as always for your amazing 80-20-style resources,
    Oleg

  • Leigh
    October 26th, 2009
    10:50 am

    Thanks for the excellent diversion. Your blog is always so much better than answering emails and reading the news! Now I am in the mood to play some “New Edition” or perhaps even watch “Flashdance.” (Remember, she throws in some breakdance moves at the big ballet audition!)

  • Darya
    October 26th, 2009
    10:51 am

    Wait a minute, you recommend trying this WITHOUT alcohol? Seems like it would require at least one shot of tequila.

    Awesome videos. Those dudes got mad skillz.

  • Tony
    October 26th, 2009
    12:12 pm

    Tim,

    Great videos! I’ve been hoping you’d do a post on this.

    Any advice on doing the windmill? It is one of my life goals and I want to have it by the end of the year. The best video I found so far is here: http://www.5min.com/Video/How-To-do-a-breakdance-windmill-5255

    My problem is that my wrist keeps hurting from supporting my whole body weight. Also, do you recommend practicing this one on carpet or tile?

    Thanks

  • Dynasty
    October 26th, 2009
    1:52 pm

    lol, I saw a bit of your dancing at the BizTech Conference. The B-Boy side of you was surfacing off stage :-) .

    I’ll send a Flicker/Facebook link later on, so you’ll see photos from the BizTech Conference.

    Here’s an awesome link, I saw weeks ago on a toddler break dancing, freak’n amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiNUkDnDMFA

    Am in SF for the rest of the week for the Plug & Play Expo and SNAP Summit. Good times….

  • a.m.
    October 26th, 2009
    4:02 pm

    It’s always enjoyable when you talk about yourself.

  • Curtis
    October 26th, 2009
    4:28 pm

    That was a SICK DEMO at Nielsen.

    No, it was “fresh”. :)

  • Mike
    October 26th, 2009
    7:57 pm

    Personally I think break dancing is a little dorky,
    but hey, I give you props for showing more ways to ‘live’
    the lifestyle that one chooses!

  • David Turnbull
    October 26th, 2009
    8:58 pm

    Should’ve asked this in my original comment (more chance of you actually seeing it), but I noticed you seem to be wearing regular sneakers. Is that for any reason in particular, or do you only wear your Five Fingers on occasion?

  • Triston
    October 26th, 2009
    10:25 pm

    Tim,

    Was reviewing the ustream video and noticed it was longer than the time I remembered so I skipped forward and the stream included you filming a portion of this video. With that being said how much time does a typical blog take to finish especially with video content.

    Enjoyed the video stream a lot of great questions! Hope you do it again bring Kevin Rose along you guys crack me up !

    Triston aka TDBRPH

  • shannon
    October 26th, 2009
    10:41 pm

    wow! i am so happy i bookmarked your website after reading your book! i couldnt fall asleep tonight and this was probably the best randomness i could have ever stumbled upon before crashing. thanks for sharing! crazy moves!

  • Rohan
    October 27th, 2009
    12:45 am

    By reading this point, I was instantly transported back to being a kid and how I was absolutely mesmerized the first time I saw Turbo do the ‘Broom’ Dance in Breakin’ (reminisce here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVrWDPi12zE). For truly mind blowing skills, spend some time checking out B Boy Junior from France, words can’t begin to explain what this man does (here’s a little something to get you started….http://dancejam.com/videos/1054584402-bboy-junior)

  • YouTube Tuesday: Breakdancing Edition - Geeky100
    October 27th, 2009
    2:02 am

    [...] How to Breakdance 101: Unleash Your Inner B-Boy [...]

  • Steve L
    October 27th, 2009
    3:40 pm

    Tim, love this post.
    My inspiration for breakdancing came from Eddie in the Tekken videogame series. Out of all the martial artists he had by far the coolest moves. However, after a short stint in high-school meant to prove that white people can-in fact- dance my b-boy career has been put on hold.
    Best.

  • Elijah
    October 27th, 2009
    10:48 pm

    oh mann, I’ve been reading your blogs on and off all day.
    information overloadddd…..!

    bahaa. This one made me smile.
    Didn’t breakdancing start with Nazi soldiers??

  • Norman Dacanay
    October 28th, 2009
    3:06 am

    you 4 commandments of breakdancing are epic

  • Norman Dacanay
    October 28th, 2009
    3:25 am

    Hey I just realized that in the Redbull BC One video, it’s Ronnie from Supercrew, America’s Best Dance Crew season 2 winners

  • John
    October 28th, 2009
    6:04 am

    Did you or anyone on this blog get tickets to the BC One in NY City this year?? I completely forgot about it and the show is SOLD OUT!

  • Pete Freans
    October 28th, 2009
    10:01 am

    “If you’ve ever dreamed of breakdancing (and who hasn’t?)…”

    I had a thought about breakdancing approximately 15-20 years ago but I never dreamed of it.

  • Bounes
    October 28th, 2009
    1:24 pm

    Hello Tim

    I am 31 and have been labor work 9-5 for all my live and the other day i came across your book at the library it was intersting so i took it home.
    thinking about the universty students experiment where you told to to cantact at least three celebarty and have them answar 3 questions.
    i decided why not contact Tim himself about this idea that was Burning me.
    it’s about selling informational product, internet or tv. and i bleive it’s a great idea. i know you’re a busy man but would approciate if you would help me or mentore me on this one.
    thanks
    Bounes

  • Allen
    October 29th, 2009
    6:53 am

    Last video is insane. You can’t do that when you’re sitting in a cube all day, and in front of one all night.

  • Alex T.
    October 29th, 2009
    8:23 am

    Very good way to break down the six / three step. I would LOVE to see a how to video on your mills. What I found with successful b-boying is start strong and end strong for your set and make SURE it is clean. If it fizzles at the end, you fumble over a move, or don’t stick a freeze it will totally disappoint.

    I love your take on movement analysis and deconstructing, you really should do short videos on the different power moves with b-boying. It would probably make it a lot safer for those of us who just huck it and hope all goes well.
    You should take a look at different interviews and videos on b-boy Krazy Kujo, he is incredible at deconstructing power moves and learning safer ways of executing power moves and flips. (After a failed attempt to land in the plank position from a front flip, he slammed his face on the ground so hard it caused him to lose his eyesight for a day… pretty commited)

  • Rose Jeudi
    October 30th, 2009
    8:26 am

    Oh my, this is the most entertaining thing I’ve seen all week. You’re actually really good! To quote the venerable Paris Hilton, “That’s hot!”

  • Rose Jeudi
    October 30th, 2009
    8:51 am

    BTW, Tim, in the 3rd video you move like a Capoeirista? Did you ever give that a go?

    • Tim Ferriss
      October 30th, 2009
      10:47 am

      Ah, you spotted it! Yes, but poorly and a loooong time ago :)

      Tim

  • Luis Merino
    October 30th, 2009
    11:28 am

    I’ve been around 30 min of practice now and I still find somewhat difficult to transition from step 4 to 5 and from 5 to 6, I end up somewhat off. So Tim, any tips? :)

  • Michael
    October 30th, 2009
    8:10 pm

    At one minute into this video you can see Shaq break dancing – all 7′1″ and 320 lbs. :-)

    http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/10/30/20091030_legends_2000_shaq.nba/

  • Rab
    October 31st, 2009
    9:19 pm

    While dancing, do you reflexively come up in a guard position? See “101 part 2″ at around 1:30 for one example, if I’m not misinterpreting your movement. That habit will pay dividends the next time ninjas attack while you’re break dancing ;)

    I also thought of Capoeira while watching your demonstration. Also at moments Bagua and perhaps another Chinese/Indonesian art during (what looked like) some nice triangle steps. But sometimes it’s hard to tell where a cross-influence exists and where the human form is just the human form, and so it tends toward certain patterns of movement.

  • tom reid
    November 1st, 2009
    1:34 pm

    Dude, my daughter wrote on the cover of your book 4 hr “(home)” work week. Got some serious inspiration for her to pursue this. Care to connnect w me on a muy GRANDE thought that it lead me to?

  • tom reid
    November 1st, 2009
    1:39 pm

    ademas, su concepto es totalmente intementable en la profesion de segurancia, pero a crecer pasado mi nivel presente nesasita mas T (tiempo)?!

  • Leon Terra
    November 1st, 2009
    6:57 pm

    I must say Tim, your two instructional videos had more logic in it than most of the DVD’s I bought and the barrage of questions to the local breakers in the beginning years of me trying to be a professional bboy and compete in one of the “Battle of the Year’s” in Germany. But that was almost 10 years ago. My skills have, fumbled a little since my journey.

    Now, stalls and power moves have taken over, as well as Korea coming up representing bboys worldwide.

    I love the fact that you still continue dancing for passion’s sake and that helps to shake things up on my end too.

    One DVD that might help people that I got a while ago was “Breakdance Step-By-Step.” I watched that the most, other than both “Breakin’” movies and “Beatstreet.” Talk about old-school.

    Cheers!

  • WiggityWiggityWack
    November 3rd, 2009
    1:36 pm

    I want to know what your favorite b-boy music is…

  • Allsun
    November 4th, 2009
    1:04 pm

    Tim, I love you (seriously, let’s make babies) but what the hell is up with those bell bottom jeans?!

  • Chad
    November 9th, 2009
    12:55 am

    Those popping and locking videos are freakin’ incredible! The first track on that locking video is pretty sick too. Wow.

  • Barry Rabkin
    November 10th, 2009
    1:23 pm

    My co-worker was reading your blog and emailed this to me last night. I’d bet money you are the best breakdancer to grace the new york times best seller list, and the best one at the nielsen conference as well. I’ve been breaking since 2003 and I’m inspired to see a respected authority proudly repping their bboy style.

    I saw your videos, they were a great jumping off point and I enjoyed them. Tim with your permission I also wanted to offer your readers further breakin’ education our site as a resource. We have plenty of free video previews to learn from even if you aren’t interested in buying any dvds.

    You can specifically learn how to Break here;
    http://www.cypherstyles.com/category/100_street_dance_videos.break_dancing_videos.how_to_break_dance_videos/

    You can learn other styles, like Popping, Rave dance, or Club dance here:
    http://www.cypherstyles.com/category/100_street_dance_videos/

    Hope the free videos previews help you guys take it to the next level. I say we form a new crew, “BBoy Bloggers United”, anyone want in? We’ll dominate at the next wordpress convention :)

  • Walker Campbell
    November 11th, 2009
    10:35 am

    Good stuff.

    The b-boys in the video at the end reminded me of how much I still love Hip Hop. Even when (mainstream) rappers are struggling to say something new, b-boys are doing their thing the world over.

    Thanks for the ill post, Tim.

  • Curtis Chambers
    November 13th, 2009
    1:53 pm

    Fascinating post. I am not a fan of anything, though, that can cause injury to the brain. You have seen the recent publicity on football head injuries. I would just think holding your breath that long would have to be hard on the brain. It almost reminds of the choking game that kids play.

    I am very impressed with David Blaine, I love his magic tricks, his early TV specials were incredible, and I have lamented the fact he has put so much of his energy into these feats of body endurance in recent years. Freezing himself in ice for days, etc.

    Remember Houdini died after letting himself be repeatedly hit in the stomach.

  • MattyG
    November 16th, 2009
    8:30 am

    No posts for half a month Tim? Something must be in the works…

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