A glossary of hip-hop dance terms

B-BOY OR B-GIRL A male or female break dancer.

EIGHT-COUNT A counting pattern representing the number of beats in two measures of music.

DOWNROCK All the footwork and break-dance moves performed on the ground.

Freeze Maintaining a held pose. Usually performed on one or two hands with lower body in the air.

Locking Quick arm movements that suddenly freeze to a locked position based on rhythm and beat. Legs are relaxed and follow in sync.

Popping Contracting and releasing of muscles in your chest, arms, legs and shoulders to create a jerking motion to the beat.

Toprock A series of steps, shuffles and turns in break-dance to transi- tion into ground or power moves.

Tutting Sharp, controlled arm and hand movements usually held in a right-angle position. The Robot dance is a form of tutting.

Power moves Any challenging or acrobatic break-dance move. Commonly used moves include:

Flare With both hands supporting the body, the breaker swings legs in circular motions without touching the ground. This move is also done on a pommel horse in gymnastics.

Headspin When a breaker forms a headstand and spins.

Swipe With both hands on the floor, the upper body turns to one side while one or both legs follow spinning 360 degrees. Done until a full circle has been formed.

Windmill When a breaker rolls his/her torso on the floor while the legs twirl in a V-formation.