How to do basic power tricks in breakdancing

Power tricks are some of the most spectacular and physically demanding elements of breakdancing, also known as breaking. These moves emphasize strength, speed, momentum, and acrobatic control—and they often draw the most attention during performances and battles. Power tricks are an integral part of power moves, a key component of breakdancing that involves continuous, rotational, or airborne movements. For beginners, mastering the basic power tricks is essential before progressing to more advanced and complex combinations.

This article delves into the basic power tricks of breaking, exploring their techniques, training requirements, and their importance in developing a solid foundation in the world of power moves.

Backspin

The backspin is one of the most fundamental and essential power tricks in breakdancing. It involves spinning on your back in a continuous motion, driven by the initial momentum created from the legs and hips. Although relatively simple compared to more advanced moves, the backspin teaches essential concepts of balance, momentum, and rotational control.

Technique

• Starting Position: Begin by lying on your back, with your knees bent and feet close to your body.
• Kick and Rotation: Using your legs, kick one leg out while pulling the other in to generate rotational momentum. As the body spins, pull both legs close to the torso to increase the spin speed.
• Arm Tuck: Tuck the arms close to your sides to reduce friction and allow for faster spins.
• Ending: You can either slow down the rotation to exit smoothly or combine the backspin with other moves for more complex sequences.

The backspin teaches essential concepts such as spin management and core control. Once this basic trick is mastered, it can be combined with other moves like windmills or freezes to create dynamic routines.

Windmill

The windmill is one of the most iconic and fundamental power moves in breakdancing. It involves a continuous spinning motion where the breaker rotates on their shoulders with their legs spread in a V-shape, mimicking the blades of a windmill. This move requires both upper-body strength and momentum control, making it a critical building block for more advanced power tricks.

Technique

• Starting from a Freeze: The windmill typically begins from a turtle freeze or a similar hand-on-ground position. The breaker pushes off the ground with their hands to generate initial momentum.
• Leg Kicks and Rotation: As the body begins to rotate, the legs should be kicked upward in a wide V-shape to maintain momentum. The goal is to rotate continuously on the shoulders while allowing the legs to whip around, driving the rotation.
• Shoulder Roll: The movement between shoulders is crucial. Breakers must learn to smoothly roll from one shoulder to the other without losing speed or balance.
• Repetitions: With practice, breakers can increase the number of rotations or add variations like transitioning into headspins or other power moves.

Windmills are the foundation for many variations, such as halo, babymills, and airplanes, making them a critical move for any breaker aiming to master power tricks.

Swipe

The swipe is a highly energetic and visually dynamic power trick. It involves a combination of strength and rotation, where the breaker kicks their legs in the air while rotating on their hands. This move creates the illusion of flying or gliding across the floor in large sweeping motions.

Technique

• Hand Placement: Start by placing both hands on the ground while keeping your body elevated.
• Leg Kick: Simultaneously kick both legs into the air in an arcing motion, creating momentum for the rotation.
• Rotation: As the legs rise, the breaker should twist their body and switch hands in a continuous motion, allowing for rotation while maintaining hand contact with the floor.
• Continuous Flow: The swipe is meant to be repeated multiple times, with each leg kick and hand switch propelling the body further around in a circle.

The swipe is a visually impressive trick that also serves as a foundation for other rotational power moves. It is an ideal move for beginners looking to build strength and coordination in power tricks.

1990

The 1990 is one of the most recognized and admired power tricks in breakdancing, involving a one-handed spin in a handstand position. It requires exceptional balance, wrist strength, and rotational control. As a one-handed power trick, the 1990 is both a feat of strength and an impressive display of rotational acrobatics.

Technique

• Handstand Entry: The breaker begins by kicking into a handstand, ensuring that the weight is centered on one hand. A solid and balanced handstand is crucial for initiating the 1990.
• Leg Kick for Momentum: Once in the handstand, the legs are kicked in a circular motion to initiate the spin. Keeping the legs straight and slightly apart helps maintain balance and rotation.
• Wrist and Core Control: As the body rotates, the wrist and core muscles must work together to keep the body stable and aligned. Any slight deviation in posture can cause the move to collapse.
• Spins: With practice, breakers can perform multiple spins before exiting the move. Controlling the number of rotations is key to mastering the 1990.

The 1990 is one of the ultimate displays of strength and technique in breakdancing, and it often serves as the highlight of a breaker’s power move sequence.

Headspin

The headspin is another foundational power trick, where the breaker spins on their head while maintaining a vertical or near-vertical body position. Like the 1990, it requires balance and rotational control but places the emphasis on head and neck stability.

Technique

• Starting Position: Begin by placing the head on the ground with both hands supporting the body. The breaker can either enter the headspin from a freeze or by pushing up from the floor.
• Leg Kick for Spin: Once in a stable headstand, the breaker kicks the legs to initiate rotation. Keeping the legs in a straight or V-position helps maintain balance.
• Hand Release: As the breaker gains control of the spin, they can release the hands from the floor to perform a true headspin, balancing entirely on the head.
• Increasing Speed: By tucking the legs closer to the body or spreading them wider, the breaker can adjust their spin speed. The faster the rotation, the more visually impressive the move becomes.

Headspins can be combined with other tricks, such as transitioning into windmills or airflares, making them a versatile and essential power trick for any breaker.

Turtle Freeze (and Spins)

The turtle freeze is a basic power freeze that serves as the starting point for many advanced power tricks. It involves balancing the body on bent arms, with elbows supporting the torso. The turtle freeze can also be spun, transitioning into a turtle spin, which combines strength and control.

Technique

• Arm Placement: The breaker begins by placing their forearms on the ground and bringing the knees in close to the chest. The elbows should rest under the body to support the weight.
• Body Lift: Using core strength, the breaker lifts the body off the ground, balancing on their arms while keeping the head lifted.
• Spin Variations: To initiate the turtle spin, the breaker uses their feet to kick and rotate, pushing off the floor to generate spin. Hand and wrist adjustments help maintain balance during the rotation.

The turtle freeze and spin are excellent foundational moves that teach balance, control, and arm strength, essential for many other power tricks.

Hand Glide

The hand glide is a spinning move where the breaker rotates on one hand while keeping the body lifted off the ground. It is a precursor to more advanced tricks like the airflare, as it combines spinning and balance on a single hand.

Technique

• Starting from a Freeze: The hand glide begins from a turtle or baby freeze position.
• Body Lift and Spin: The breaker uses one arm to support the body while the other hand helps initiate the spin by pushing off the ground. The legs should be kicked outward to create momentum for the spin.
• Rotation Control: Core strength is essential for maintaining balance while spinning. As with other spins, tucking the legs can increase speed, while extending them helps control the spin.

The hand glide helps develop the strength and coordination necessary for more advanced power tricks and teaches critical body positioning for one-handed spins.

Conclusion

Mastering the basic power tricks of breakdancing is crucial for any breaker aiming to progress to more advanced moves. Power tricks like the backspin, windmill, swipe, 1990, and headspin serve as the foundation for countless combinations and variations in breaking. These moves not only showcase a breaker’s physical capabilities but also provide the basis for creative expression and style in both battles and performances.

Each power trick requires a combination of strength, control, and dedication. Breakers must focus on building the necessary muscle groups—especially in the arms, core, and shoulders—while honing their sense of balance and rhythm. Through consistent practice, these foundational power tricks become stepping stones to mastering the more complex, gravity-defying moves that define the art of breakdancing.