Breaking (breakdance) fits surprisingly well into a PE lesson. It needs no equipment apart from music and floor space, every pupil can take part at their own level, and it combines coordination, strength, rhythm and creativity. This page gives PE teachers a simple structure for teaching breaking – even if you have never danced yourself.
A simple structure for a 45-minute lesson
A lesson that works well with most groups has four parts:
- Warm-up – light movement to music, then simple toprock (standing steps) on the beat. Count out loud: 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Basics – one or two new elements, for example a go-down and a first footwork step, or an easy freeze. Demonstrate, let pupils try in pairs, then repeat.
- Cypher – pupils stand in a circle and take turns entering the middle to show a few moves. Everyone claps on the beat. Nobody is forced in; joining in with a single step counts.
- Cool-down – calm movement and stretching, and a short reflection: what did you learn today?
Safety rules to agree on first
- Enough space between pupils; mats or a non-slip floor for floor work.
- Warm up every time before floor moves and freezes.
- Freezes are learned gradually; no one is pushed into a position.
- Power moves (spins, head moves) are not part of a beginner lesson.
- Stop if something hurts.
Progression over several lessons
Start with toprock and rhythm, then move to the floor: go-down, footwork and six-step, then freezes. In the last lessons pupils combine moves into short sequences of their own and show them in the cypher. That gives every pupil a clear goal and something to be proud of.
Respect and inclusion
Breaking culture is built on respect: dancers take turns, support each other and celebrate each other's moves. Make that a rule from the first lesson. Pupils who are shy can start by keeping the beat or choosing the music.
Ready-made material for teachers
Kulturspiren's teacher pack «Breaking in the gym» is made for teachers, after-school programmes and youth clubs. It includes the guide «Breaking steg for steg» (PDF) plus a separate PDF with 4 sessions of 45 minutes (warm-up, basics, cypher, cool-down), with goals for each session and safety rules. Page references lead straight to the guide, so you do not need to be able to dance yourself. Available in 11 languages, including English. The licence covers one school or one club and allows internal copying.
For a single family or a pupil practising at home, the illustrated PDF guide «Breaking steg for steg» (A4, 49 pages, with an 8-week plan) is enough.
About the author
The material is written by Fredrik Otterbech, who started breakdancing in the 1980s, took part in competitions, later trained in classical ballet at Statens balletthøgskole, and has worked as a dance instructor and choreographer for children and young people.