I'll not write a prolonged article about each moves here. I'll just put put in some sarcastic facts about the apparent difficulty of famous breakdancing powermoves I've gathered (and experienced (some of 'em (yeah))).
#7 Backspin
Description: Spinning your body with your back on the ground as the pivot.
..so it's basically easy to do, isn't it? Wrong. Getting the momentum to supply the spinning force for the move is already something hard, especially for beginners. Keeping it spinning is tricky too. Simply lying down on the floor with your back will not suffice, but actually the only part of your body that should touch the floor is your upper back. You'll stop spinning as soon as your ass touches the floor.
#6 Swipe
Description: The breaker leans back, whips his arms to one side to touch the ground, and his legs follow closely behind, twisting 360 degrees to land on the ground once again.
Arm movements are critical in doing the swipes. In fact, you'll never be able to do swipes without first mastered switching your weight-supporting arm in order to rotate your body, and doing so is HARD.
#5 Windmill
Description: The breaker rolls his torso continuously in a circular path on the floor, across the upper chest/shoulders/back, while twirling his legs in a V-shape through the air.
Even the reputation for being the most "basic" and fundamental powermove in breakdance doesn't make windmill easier to do. Unfortunately, it's that "rolling your torso while twirling your legs in the air" thing which made it difficult. Most people had difficulties getting back up on a stabbing arm after each windmills.
#4 Headspin
Description: A continuous spin done while balancing only on the head.
It looked awfully simple to do. Well, it's not simple. Most breakers found themselves in an added amount of respect for the natural physics force in learning to do headspins. That pain in the top of your head while doing this move is not something dismissable; you'll have to bear with it, unless you used a helmet. Oh and especially if you watched Meet the Spartans before, in the Stomp The Yard parody part, you'll want to be careful in doing this move. Otherwise, you'll got served.
#3 1990
Description: A rapid spinning one-handed handstand.
Handstanding skill is essential. Handstanding with ONE hand only is hard. What do I have to say about SPINNING in that position? A smooth surface is good for practicing, given that you don't accidentally slipped and fall yourself.
#2 Flare
Description: The breaker supports his body with his arms, swings his legs around his stationary torso in continuous circles, and never allows his legs to touch the ground.
If at first the move gave the impressions that strong upper body muscles is needed, you're not half wrong. Fact is, a strong abdominal and arm muscles will really help in doing the move. But the correct technique is also important; how to start lifting your legs up in the air and keeping your hips spinning. It is cool, so it's supposed to be hard.
#1 Air track/Air flare
Description: An advanced powermove in which the breaker basically do a flare (windmill for air tracks) in the air, with only your hands touching the floor while the rest of your lower body and legs moving in the air.
The peak of the powermove food pyramid. It's the hardest powermove. It's so hard that breakers spent their time disputing over its name before they learn it. Simply strong muscles will not help you with this big baby. You'll need to have a focused and routine training, preferably supervised by a more experienced breaker, in order to master this technique.
..so it's basically easy to do, isn't it? Wrong. Getting the momentum to supply the spinning force for the move is already something hard, especially for beginners. Keeping it spinning is tricky too. Simply lying down on the floor with your back will not suffice, but actually the only part of your body that should touch the floor is your upper back. You'll stop spinning as soon as your ass touches the floor.
#6 Swipe
Description: The breaker leans back, whips his arms to one side to touch the ground, and his legs follow closely behind, twisting 360 degrees to land on the ground once again.
Arm movements are critical in doing the swipes. In fact, you'll never be able to do swipes without first mastered switching your weight-supporting arm in order to rotate your body, and doing so is HARD.
#5 WindmillDescription: The breaker rolls his torso continuously in a circular path on the floor, across the upper chest/shoulders/back, while twirling his legs in a V-shape through the air.
Even the reputation for being the most "basic" and fundamental powermove in breakdance doesn't make windmill easier to do. Unfortunately, it's that "rolling your torso while twirling your legs in the air" thing which made it difficult. Most people had difficulties getting back up on a stabbing arm after each windmills.
#4 HeadspinDescription: A continuous spin done while balancing only on the head.
It looked awfully simple to do. Well, it's not simple. Most breakers found themselves in an added amount of respect for the natural physics force in learning to do headspins. That pain in the top of your head while doing this move is not something dismissable; you'll have to bear with it, unless you used a helmet. Oh and especially if you watched Meet the Spartans before, in the Stomp The Yard parody part, you'll want to be careful in doing this move. Otherwise, you'll got served.
#3 1990Description: A rapid spinning one-handed handstand.
Handstanding skill is essential. Handstanding with ONE hand only is hard. What do I have to say about SPINNING in that position? A smooth surface is good for practicing, given that you don't accidentally slipped and fall yourself.
#2 FlareDescription: The breaker supports his body with his arms, swings his legs around his stationary torso in continuous circles, and never allows his legs to touch the ground.
If at first the move gave the impressions that strong upper body muscles is needed, you're not half wrong. Fact is, a strong abdominal and arm muscles will really help in doing the move. But the correct technique is also important; how to start lifting your legs up in the air and keeping your hips spinning. It is cool, so it's supposed to be hard.
#1 Air track/Air flareDescription: An advanced powermove in which the breaker basically do a flare (windmill for air tracks) in the air, with only your hands touching the floor while the rest of your lower body and legs moving in the air.
The peak of the powermove food pyramid. It's the hardest powermove. It's so hard that breakers spent their time disputing over its name before they learn it. Simply strong muscles will not help you with this big baby. You'll need to have a focused and routine training, preferably supervised by a more experienced breaker, in order to master this technique.
