What Is Hip Hop Dance?

- Hip Hop Dance is a style of movement characterized by bounces and rocks executed to Hip
Hop music. It has deep historical and social roots in African American culture, having
emerged in Black communities living in 1970s New York. While frequently referred to as a
singular dance style, Hip Hop dance is part of a whole culture of Hip Hop, that includes
Deejaying, Graffiti, Emceeing, and several sub-styles of dance, including Breaking.

The History of Hip-Hop Culture

The Bronx in the 70's was a rough, dangerous place to grow up. The youth were surrounded
by drugs, crime, poverty, gang violence, and overall struggle. Yet they, particularly the African
American and Latino youth (minority groups), were at best neglected by mainstream institutions.
Desperate for a way to escape their everyday struggles, they invented their own art forms.
These art forms, which the youth embodied in the way they dressed, talked, moved, and expressed
themselves, soon became a lifestyle. A way to live. This lifestyle and culture became known as Hip
Hop.
Despite the negativity and tumult in the South Bronx, Hip-Hop heads were able to rise
above their environment and create a positive form of release. Instead of substances and violence,
their energy was redirected to values like originality, creativity, identity, respect, and community.
The same way that our religious, ethnic, familial backgrounds inform our way of being in
the world, Hip- Hop was the way that people could be in a way that felt right to them. Deejaying,
Emceeing, Breaking and Dancing, and Graffiti weren't just hobbies, they were sanctuaries. As much
as the art forms within Hip Hop have evolved over the decades, the core tenants of the culture
remain.

What does "Hip Hop" mean?

- "Hip" = present "Hop"= action.
- Hip Hop is a movement that represents the freedom to learn, grow, and evolve.

Hip Hop Dance Moves

POPPING AND LOCKING

 Popping and locking is a basic staple of hip-hop dancing. This is a largely

improvisational dance by its nature, so you have freedom with it. However, some basics
are as follows:

1. Alternate how you contract and relax your muscles in the arms, legs and torso. Do so
in quick, pop-like motions.
2. Flex the muscles in your arms, legs, or torso (sometimes simultaneously) and grind
your shoulders, then pause and remain in place for a specific amount of time,
thereby "locking" it. For example, you may opt to bend your arms at your elbows,
holding your hands in the air. Lock it.
 3. Count to three (or other designated time) to the music, then pop into another
position, locking it again.

https://cf.ltkcdn.net/dance/files/2825-pop-and-lock.pdf

SOULJA BOY

 The Soulja Boy is both the stage name of a successful young rapper named DeAndre
Cortez Way and the name of a hip-
hop dance that he helped to
popularize.

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/
la-me-ln-soulja-boy-charge-stolen-gun-
huntington-beach-police-20170123-
story.html
DeAndre Cortez Way

1. Relax your limbs and stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Jump and
simultaneously cross your feet. Now, jump back to your starting position with your
feet shoulder width apart.
2. Kick your left foot back as you bend your knee. As you do this, touch the bottom of
your foot.
3. Twist your hips from side to side.
4. Now, adjust your weight and sit back into your right hip, with your left knee slightly
bent. Keep your toe on the ground. Loosen up your arms and hold them just lower
than shoulder height. Next, move your arms back and forth as you twist. Lower your
arms and snap your fingers as you lean back.
5. Bend your knee slightly, then move your right foot and touch your toe diagonally to
the left. Move your left foot and touch your toe in line with your right shoulder. Bend
your knee as you lift your right leg and touch your knee with your hand.
 6. Turn to the left with your entire body. Bring your hands together, palm to palm, and
hold your hands together at chest level, pointing out.
7. Push off with your hands, swinging your arms to opposite sides. Lean forward while
lifting your right leg with bended knee. This step is meant to mimic flight.
8. Keep your feet shoulder width apart, then jump to the left three times before
jumping to the right three times. Repeat. As you move to the right, your arms should
swing to the left and vice versa.
9. Repeat these steps on the other side.

THE MOONWALK

 The moonwalk is probably most closely associated with Michael Jackson's beloved,
iconic performance of it during his performance of Billie Jean on the Motown 25th
Anniversary Special in 1983. You know a dance move made an impact when it's still
being discussed decades later. The moonwalk is still popular, and it's a fun dance move
where you appear to be walking forward when you're actually moving backwards. It
looks complicated, but the steps are actually very simple.

https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=XXfz_0JbRpg

Michael Jackson
1. Lift your left heel and leave only your toes touching the ground. Simultaneously,
slide the right foot back.
2. Smoothly shift the weight and repeat with the opposite side.
3. Repeat this several times in succession to complete the move.

https://cf.ltkcdn.net/dance/files/2824-moonwalk.pdf
THE RUNNING MAN

 The running man just may be among the most beloved hip hop dance moves. You'll
likely have a lot of fun with this one.

1. Turn to your side. Start with your feet together and arms hanging loosely at your
sides.
2. Lift your left leg up high as you bend your knee, forming a 90-degree angle. As you
do so, also lift your arms and bend them as you would if you were actually going to
run. Close your hands into fists.
3. Push down and back simultaneously with your left leg. Now, lift your right leg up as
high as you did with your left leg. Bend your knee at the same time, forming a 90-
degree angle. Push your arms down with more relaxed fists.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 several times in succession, and you will find yourself
mastering the running man.

https://edu.glogster.com/glog/running-man/2l1hph0jkqh

THE SPONGEBOB
 The spongebob dance first rose to popularity in Baltimore, Maryland, clubs in the
1990's. It's a fun dance move that's easy to do. Despite a popular misconception, the
spongebob dance is not related to the character SpongeBob SquarePants. Once you get
started with this dance move, you'll realize that, the more you try it, the easier it
becomes.

1. Start by standing straight with your legs shoulder width apart and your arms
straight by your sides. Kick your right foot behind your left knee for one count. Your
legs should be making the shape of a figure 4.
2. Kick out to the right and simultaneously hop to the left a few inches with your left
foot.
3. Place the right foot firmly on the ground and lift up your left foot. Kick your left foot
behind your right knee for a single count, once again making the shape of a figure 4,
but with the legs in the opposite place as before.
4. Kick to the left. At the same time, hop to the right a few inches with your right foot.
5. Repeat the above steps several times in succession. Do this until you can pick up the
pace while maintaining your balance. It will eventually be hard for people to see
precisely what you're doing with your feet.

BREAK DANCING
  Breakdancing or breaking is a form of street dance that incorporates intricate body
movements, coordination, style, and aesthetics. The people who perform this style of
dance are known as b-boys or b-girls. They're sometimes called breakers.

 Popular breakdance moves are: Six step, Toprock, Air Flares, Headspins, Dizzy run,
Applejack, Windmills, Swipe, Suicides, Handglide, and Footwork.

HOW TO DO SOME BREAK DANCE MOVES

PERFORMING A SIX STEP
1. Squat. Footwork techniques such as the six step add variety to toprocks. The six step looks
intimidating but isn’t as hard as it seems. Start off by lowering yourself to the ground. If this
is painful, practice squatting as low as you can to build more strength in your calves.

 Once you can squat a little, you can also practice shifting your weight. Lean backwards
to the right and catch yourself by planting your right hand on the ground. Raise up and
repeat with your left side.

2. Wrap your right foot over your left. Sweep your right foot outwards. Bring it all the way
around and under your left knee. Wrap it as far back as you can and use your right hand to
brace yourself against the ground.

3. Move your left foot back. You’ll

have to rise a little to do this. Bring both hands forward and plant them on the ground as
you move your left foot backwards and away from you. Your left foot should go diagonally
to the left rather than straight back.
4. Move your right foot back. Bring your right foot back and away from you. It should also
move diagonally, except to the right. You will be in a flat position like you’re about to do a
pushup. Keep your back lowered, though, and your head and torso raised. Try to get your
feet past the width of your shoulders.

5. Bring your left foot to your right hand. Bend your knees a little before you do this to
avoid putting pressure on them. While keeping your foot close to the ground, bring your left
foot directly to your right hand. To get it across your body, you’ll have to raise up a little.
Keep your left hand planted. Bring your right hand to your right hip.

6. Bring your right foot behind your left knee. While supporting yourself against the
ground with your right hand, move your right foot forward. Keep it pointed straight out,
away from your body. Now your left leg will be wrapped under your right knee.
 7. Unhook your legs. Bring your right leg back to a neutral starting position. Plant it on the
ground and you’ll find yourself in the squat position again, completing the six step. Practice
it to get faster. Also try the six step while starting on the opposite leg.

BOOGALOO
 This is a movement using mostly the hips and legs. It is a very loose movement that
gives the illusion that the dancer has no bones from the waist down.

When it comes to Boogaloo dancing basics, it’s all in the hips and legs:
1. Start by bending your knees.
2. Now you’ll be “rolling” your legs around. The rolling, circular motion is
important.
3. After rolling one direction a few times, reverse and roll in the other direction.
4. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can use that bent-leg and rolling motion to
actually step from side to side.

Remember:
1. Legs bent.
2. “Rolling” motion (kind of like hula-hooping, but more in the legs).
3. Balance on
your tip-toes,
not your heels.
Reference:
https://dance.lovetoknow.com/Hip_Hop_Dance_Moves
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Some-Break-Dance-Moves
https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-breakdancing-2857231
https://www.howcast.com/guides/how-boogaloo-dance

Submitted by:
SHALIMAR R. BRIVA
12- St. Raphael de Archangel
FIVE HAND MOVEMENTS AND POSITIONS IN CHEER
DANCE
by: Shalimar R. Briva
12-St. Raphael de Archangel

1. CLEAN

 Execution:
Arms straight down at sides.

2. CLASP

 Execution:
 Hands together and wrapped around each other.

3. CLAP

 Execution:
Arms bent with hands meeting together in front of the chest.

4. LOW V
  Execution:
Arms straight down reaching diagonal under shoulders in the shape of a large v.
Shoulders relaxed.

5. BROKEN T

 Execution:
T motion except elbows are bent inward with hands placed in front of shoulders.