Toprock & Downrock

There are four basic elements that form the foundation of Breakdancing. These are toprock, down rock (also known as footwork), freezes, and power moves. The most basic moves are Toprocks and Downrocks. Toprock refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position, relying upon a mixture of coordination, flexibility, style, and rhythm. It is usually the first and foremost opening display of style, and it serves as a warm-up for transitions into more acrobatic maneuvers. This is the entry dance that B-boys and B-girls use to start their set. These steps are done before you do a power set or before you go down to the floor. This is the breaker's chance to show how well he or she can rock the beat and/or make gestures to intimidate their opponent. The object is to make a connection with the song either by gesturing on a horn or rhythm section while your feet usually step on the "snare" of the drum/beat section. Its style is obvious to anyone watching, because it is incredibly unorthodox looking. Breakdancer take pride in having unique toprock that still stays within the definition of what toprock actually is. Downrock includes all footwork performed on the floor as in the 6-step, a six step combination of different, repeating moves. The foundational move of downrock is the 6-step. Downrock is normally performed with the hands and feet on the floor. In downrock, the breakdancer displays his or her proficiency with foot speed and control by performing fairly complex footwork combinations. These combinations then usually transition into more athletic moves known as power moves, which are actions that require momentum and physical power to execute. The rest of the dance is founded around these two elements. Dancers usually begin by toprocking, and then continue by going down to the floor and performing a 6-step or 4-step.