6-step
Encyclopedia
The 6-step is the basic sequence of b-boying
footwork. The b-boy uses his arms to support his body above the floor while his legs walk around in a circle.
and builds momentum
while imparting body control. The breaker stays low and in contact with the ground, which places him in perfect position for performing other moves. Each of the six distinct steps puts the body in a different position which can be used as starting points for other moves. Steps 1/2 and 3/4 (described below) are most often used for launching other moves. Conversely, any move which ends on the ground can be transitioned smoothly back into the 6-step.
The body position after step (2) and step (4) are mirror images of each other. Six step often involves looking straight ahead constantly and placing the feet in the same place for each rotation, but can be done with your body facing a different direction for each rotation.
While the basic 6-step resembles walking in a circle on the ground, there are many variations of footwork or "techs" that can reverse the direction of rotation, interlock limbs, incorporate minor flips, twists, kicks, shuffles, tweaks, and much more.
As the name implies, there are a total of six steps in one rotation of the 6-step. A standard version begins in the push-up
position with feet spread apart.
are relatively unrelated to the 6-step even though they have similar nomenclature.
B-boying
B-boying, often called "breakdancing", is a popular style of street dance that was created and developed as part of hip-hop culture among African Americans and Latino youths in New York City. The dance consists of four primary elements: toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes...
footwork. The b-boy uses his arms to support his body above the floor while his legs walk around in a circle.
Description
The 6-step is foundational to b-boying not only because it is the first footwork sequence breakers often learn, but also because it remains the move around which many sets are structured. Many break moves can begin from the 6-step. The move sets up the direction of rotationRotation around a fixed axis
Rotation around a fixed axis is a special case of rotational motion. The fixed axis hypothesis exclude the possibility of a moving axis, and cannot describe such phenomena as wobbling or precession. According to Euler's rotation theorem, simultaneous rotation around more than one axis at the same...
and builds momentum
Momentum
In classical mechanics, linear momentum or translational momentum is the product of the mass and velocity of an object...
while imparting body control. The breaker stays low and in contact with the ground, which places him in perfect position for performing other moves. Each of the six distinct steps puts the body in a different position which can be used as starting points for other moves. Steps 1/2 and 3/4 (described below) are most often used for launching other moves. Conversely, any move which ends on the ground can be transitioned smoothly back into the 6-step.
The body position after step (2) and step (4) are mirror images of each other. Six step often involves looking straight ahead constantly and placing the feet in the same place for each rotation, but can be done with your body facing a different direction for each rotation.
While the basic 6-step resembles walking in a circle on the ground, there are many variations of footwork or "techs" that can reverse the direction of rotation, interlock limbs, incorporate minor flips, twists, kicks, shuffles, tweaks, and much more.
Step-by-step
-
- This description is for clockwise rotation.
As the name implies, there are a total of six steps in one rotation of the 6-step. A standard version begins in the push-up
Press up
For the 2004 single by Freestylers, see Push UpA push-up, or in British English a press-up, is a common calisthenics exercise performed in a prone position by raising and lowering the body using the arms...
position with feet spread apart.
- The left hand lifts, and the right foot is placed where that hand used to be.
- As weight shifts onto the right hand and foot, the left leg is moved up into the crook of the right knee.
- The right leg swings around in front of the right hand and comes down so that the bboy's legs are in a crab position. Meanwhile, he switches hands so that the left hand returns to the ground and the right hand flies up.
- The left leg now swings around in a wide arc and wraps around the right.
- The right leg moves back into its original push-up spot.
- Lastly, the left leg pulls back while the right hand comes down to complete the push-up position. The breaker is now back in the starting position and may continue with step 1.
Variants
Out of the many 6-step variations, a few have a defined, repeatable pattern like the 6-step itself and therefore are recognized as footwork sequences in their own right. The most widely recognized ones are listed below. Experimenting breakers commonly invent their own footwork sequences and casually refer to them as "their 9-step" or some similar term, but these sequences are not widely recognized. Moreover, some moves like the 2-step2-step (breakdance move)
The 2-step or Baby Swipe is a footwork sequence in breakdance. It is launched from the third step of the basic 6-step and involves the breaker hopping with the crouched leg while swinging the other straightened leg around, then rotating his body over the swinging leg with a quick, low, airborne...
are relatively unrelated to the 6-step even though they have similar nomenclature.