About the Six Step Break Dancing Move

The six step is the most fundamental floor move to learn as a breakdancer. It is the center of all floor moves and is important to master as it opens up the possibilities for countless other footwork and transitions. It is performed rythmically and is the starting point for advanced power moves such as the windmill and the flare.

Considerations

When leaning to do a “six step” it is important to remember that you must you’re your weight evenly distributed at all times and to master it slowly and gradually build up your speed. The “six step” is a started, depending solely on personal preference from one of two positions. These are, either crouched all the way down with all of your weight on the front of your feet and hands off of the ground, or with your hands planted flat on the ground in front of you, your legs fully extended shoulder length apart, and toes flat on the ground. Regardless of which position you start from, in one full six step, your body will be in both positions. 

Positions and Routine

The six step consists of 3 positions, mirrored on either side of an imaginary circle on the ground. Assuming your first position is to start with your hands off of the ground and are traveling counter-clockwise, the first step is to kick your right leg out and wrap it around the other while simultaneously placing your right hand flat on the ground to maintain your balance. This is position two. Next, you step back to fully extend your left leg with your toes flat on the ground while simultaneously putting your left hand flat on the ground, shoulder width apart from your right hand. Next, step back with your right leg to mirror your left and you will end up in the alternate starting position or position three. From here, you simply need to get back to position one, by mirroring what you did on the left side, onto your right. Pick up your left leg and bring it across your body, just as you did on the opposite side to extend your legs. If your weight is evenly distributed you should now be able to lift up your right hand to be in position four. Position five is easy to reach from here, as you only need to bring your right foot up behind your left knee. Position six is the same as position one, so next you can unwrap your left leg from around your right, and lift your left hand putting all of your weight back onto your feet and allowing your to lift your hand.

Advanced Dancing

Once you get more comfortable doing the six step, you can increase your speed and eventually transition into and out of other floor work moves such as the “CC” which will allow your to change the direction of your six step, or the “12 step”. Be sure to practice slowly and make sure you master the six step, as learning it properly makes every other floor move easier to do, and allows your breakdancing to have a bit of your own personal style.