![R16 cypher](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/R16_cypher.jpg)
Power moves are dance moves which are loosely defined as moves relying on speed, momentum, and acrobatic elements for performance. They are prominent in
B-boying
Breakdancing, also called breaking or b-boying/b-girling, is an athletic style of street dance originating from the African American and Puerto Rican communities in the United States. While diverse in the amount of variation available in ...
, often the centerpieces of routines featuring the other elements (
toprock In breakdancing, toprock is foot movement performed while standing, serving as the opening display of style, and as a warm-up for transitions into the more acrobatic maneuvers of downrock. It allows the dancer to demonstrate coordination, flexibilit ...
,
downrock In dance, floorwork refers to movements performed on the floor. Floorwork is used extensively in modern dance, particularly Graham technique and Hawkins technique, as well as in vernacular breakdancing. Some dance training practices, notably Floo ...
, and
freezes
Freezing is a phase transition where a liquid turns into a solid when its temperature is lowered below its freezing point. In accordance with the internationally established definition, freezing means the solidification phase change of a liquid o ...
) that make up breaking. Power moves are closer to gymnastics than dancing. B-boys who focus heavily on power moves and execute them as a main part of their routines are often called "power heads".
Origin
B-boy Powerful PEX and the
New York City Breakers
The New York City Breakers are an original B-boy group in early 1980s that was established in the Bronx borough of New York City. The group originally consisted of members from Wildstyle and "Floor Master Crew"
History
The New York City Breake ...
were credited in 1983 for the B-boy style of combining 2 or 3 difficult moves together. This includes
float
Float may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music Albums
* ''Float'' (Aesop Rock album), 2000
* ''Float'' (Flogging Molly album), 2008
* ''Float'' (Styles P album), 2013
Songs
* "Float" (Tim and the Glory Boys song), 2022
* "Float", by Bush ...
s, Headmills aka Power
windmills
A windmill is a structure that converts wind power into rotational energy using vanes called sails or blades, specifically to mill grain (gristmills), but the term is also extended to windpumps, wind turbines, and other applications, in some par ...
, and
flare
A flare, also sometimes called a fusée, fusee, or bengala in some Latin-speaking countries, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a bright light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for distress signaling, illumination, ...
s
suicides. In the 1990s the
B-boys shortened the phrase "powerful moves" down to "power moves" in the 1990s to make it sound more flashy. New generations of
B-boys are executing more acrobatics, which is taking moves to the next level.
Types
Spins
*Back spin: One of the first and most famous spinning power moves, the dancer is balled up and spinning on his or her back. In some variations, the dancer may choose to hop while spinning.
*Shoulder spin
*Air chair spin
*Zulu spin
*The
headspin
A headspin is an athletic move in which a person balances on their head while rotating along the vertical axis of their body, usually without any other form of support. The move is commonly employed in the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeira an ...
is an athletic move in which a person spins on their head from a headstand position. These may be done continuously through hand-tapping and proper balance.
Handstand moves
*The 1990 is a breakdance move which resembles a rapidly spinning one-handed handstand. Created Spinner of the Dynamic Rockers referred to as a "Hand Spin"*
2000s
File:2000s decade montage3.png, From top left, clockwise: The World Trade Center on fire and the Statue of Liberty during the 9/11 attacks in 2001; the euro enters into European currency in 2002; a statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled during th ...
are similar to 1990s, but with both hands.
*
Airflare
The airflare (or air-flare) refers to an acrobatic movement in which the performer rotates the torso around the vertical axis of their body (extending from the head down vertically) whilst simultaneously traveling in a circular path along a plane p ...
is a breakdance move that requires the dancer to revolve hand to hand while keeping their legs in the air in a V-Formation.
Floats
Floats were one of the first power moves in the 1980s. The body is usually in a fixed position while the arms move.
*Crickets and variants: Hydro, Jackhammer, Lotus Jackhammer, Super Jackhammer, Darkhammer, Hopping Turtles/Scratching Turtles, etc.
*UFO, Boomerangs, Inside Boomerangs, Gorillas, Gremlin Spins/Buddha spins etc
Swipes
Swipes are one of the most recognizable power moves. The b-boy or b-girl leans back, whips his or her arms to one side to touch the ground, and his or her legs follow closely behind, twisting 360 degrees to land on the ground once again.
*A variant is the ''master swipe'', also known as a superman swipe or one-footed swipe
Shadow Swipes is a variation of the swipe that incorporates the chair freeze to start the swipe. Created by Bboy Kid Shade of Hong Kong, it is one of his signature moves.
Windmills
The ''headmill'' is a
windmill
A windmill is a structure that converts wind power into rotational energy using vanes called sails or blades, specifically to mill grain (gristmills), but the term is also extended to windpumps, wind turbines, and other applications, in some ...
variant performed without the use of hands for stability, rotating with the head and shoulders as the pivot point. As headmills free the hands, there are many further variations defined by the positioning of the hands.
Major windmill variants:
*Mummies/Coffin
*Nutcrackers
*Eggbeaters
*HandCuffs
*Bellymills/superman
*Confusions
*Barrels/headmills
*Forearms
*Airplane/Highrisers/Highrises
*Munchmills/Babymills
*Tombstone
Flares
Flares are a widely recognized power move borrowed from gymnastics.
Major variants:
*King Flares/Hopping Flare
*Crossed-legged Flare
*Chair Flare
*Double Chair Flare
*Sandwich Flare
*Lotus Flare
*Thread Flare
*One-legged Flare
*Virgin/Double Leg Circles - flares done with closed, straight legs
*Tomas Flare
References
See also
{{DEFAULTSORT:Power Move
Breakdance moves