By Fredrik Otterbech – winner of the Norwegian breakdance championship in 1984 (over-12 class), trained at Balettakademien in Gothenburg and the Norwegian National Ballet School (Statens balletthøgskole), and a dance teacher in Telemark, Norway, since 2010.
Breaking looks impossible the first time you see it. But every b-boy and b-girl started with a few simple steps on the floor. You don't need a studio or a mirror – just a little space, good music and ten minutes a day.
What is breaking?
Breaking (often called breakdance) is one of the original hip hop dances, and it is now even an international competitive sport. It has four building blocks: toprock (standing steps), footwork (moves close to the floor), freezes (holding a stylish pose) and power moves (spins). Beginners should focus on the first three.
Safety first
- Clear at least 2 x 2 metres (6 x 6 ft), ideally on a non-slip mat or rug.
- Dance in sneakers, grippy socks or barefoot – never slippery socks on wood floors.
- Warm up for 3–5 minutes: jumping, arm circles, gentle squats and wrist rolls.
- Skip headspins and other power moves until strength and technique are there.
- If it hurts, stop. It's supposed to be fun.
Week 1: Toprock – find the beat
Play music with a clear beat (around 100–115 BPM). First just step in time. Then try the Indian step: cross your right foot in front of your left, step back, then cross left over right. Let your arms swing. Once the rhythm sits, encourage your child to invent their own version – that's how style is born.
Week 2: Footwork – get down
Try the kick-out: crouch with hands on the floor, kick both legs out and pull them back. Then a simplified six-step – six small steps in a circle while your hands support you. Go slow. Speed comes later.
Week 3: Your first freeze
The baby freeze is the classic: hands on the floor, one knee resting on the elbow, tilt your weight forward until your feet lift. Hold for two seconds. Put a cushion in front of your head the first few times.
Week 4: Put it together
Build a short round: 8 counts of toprock, drop into footwork, finish with a freeze. Film it on day one and at the end of the month – seeing progress is the best motivation.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Short sessions (10–15 minutes) every day beat one long session a week.
- Praise effort and creativity, not just "correct" moves.
- Join in. Kids love it when adults try – and miss.
- Make a cypher (circle) where everyone gets a turn in the middle.
Want a ready-made plan?
I created the 30-day breaking challenge – a simple printable PDF with one small task a day, a checklist and a diploma at the end. For a deeper dive, the Breaking step by step PDF guide explains each move with pictures and practice plans (available in several languages). The PDFs are delivered instantly as downloads, so they work anywhere in the world.
As I told a local newspaper when I was fourteen: I'd keep going as long as it was fun. That's still the best advice I have.