A must-see for street dance beginners: A roundup of basic steps for each genre.
Even when we say “street dance,” there are many genres—breakdance, hip-hop, house, locking, and more.
Each genre also has many different basic steps, so beginners might be unsure which steps to learn first.
In this article, we’ll introduce the essential basic steps beginners should learn, organized by dance genre.
We’ll share lesson videos as well, so be sure to practice a lot and aim to improve!
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Breakdance (1–10)
Toprock
I think many people want to start breakdancing.
However, many beginners tend to jump straight into practicing power moves.
Of course, practicing power moves is important, but beginners should first work on basic steps.
The step I especially recommend for beginners is the toprock.
It’s a step used frequently in breakdancing, so it’s an essential skill no matter what style of dancer you aim to become.
It also helps you develop a sense of rhythm, so it’s recommended even for those who want to be breakdancers who focus on freezes.
Lock dance (1–10)
Skeeter Rabbit
The Skeeter Rabbit is a step frequently used in dance genres that emphasize dynamic movement, such as Lockin’ and what’s often called rock dance.
It’s a move commonly seen in old-school styles, centered on the motion of kicking the front foot forward and then pulling it back.
As with other steps, keeping your center of gravity too low makes it hard to bring your foot forward, so beginners should focus more on bouncing properly than on reaching the foot forward.
There are many choreographies that build off this step, so if you’re learning Lockin’, starting with this step might be a great idea.
Scooby-Doo
The basic step of locking called the “Scooby Doo.” This step is very familiar in Japan, and idols from the Johnny’s scene often use it.
In particular, Yuya Tegoshi, a former member of NEWS, used this step frequently when showing improvised dance.
The way this step is danced varies from dancer to dancer.
Every variation is appealing, but adding a movement where you turn your toes outward when you open your feet makes it look even cooler—highly recommended.
scuba
The step called the Scuba—also known as the Scuba Pop—is striking for its pendulum-like, wide leg swings.
As you can see in videos, this step centers on very intense movement.
Because of that, it can be extremely tiring, and many people may find repeated practice tough.
In those moments, try imagining an axis running through your chest.
A pendulum always has a central axis.
For the Scuba, the ideal central axis is around the chest.
If you picture that chest axis while kicking your legs out wide to the side, it will look more elegant and also help conserve your energy.
Pop Dance (1–10)
Stop-and-go
From a movement where you raise both arms and stop sharply, drop into a down position, lower one foot, shift your weight backward from the hips, and hit a pose—the stop-and-go.
It’s often used in locking and popping, and crisp, well-defined movement is key to this step.
Because it calls for both dynamic and delicate control, focus on engaging your core.
In the “go” moment when your body turns sideways, develop an image of running by driving your hips and adding an arm-pumping motion.
Be sure to learn this step that incorporates cool, stylish moves.
walkout
A walkout where you shift your weight to your lower body, step one foot forward, open the foot outward, twist your torso, and correct your posture.
Because it’s crucial to keep your center of gravity stable, use the foot that doesn’t step forward to maintain balance.
By aligning your body with the direction your toes are pointing, you can preserve a beautiful silhouette.
Focus on moving in four steps and gradually increase your speed.
If you “Fresno” by releasing your feet at the moment you twist your body, you can deliver a cohesive movement.
Try practicing this step, which can be considered a fundamental of street dance.
turn
When it comes to basic steps you can use in any genre of street dance, the turn is essential.
Imagine a compass with a pencil and a needle as you move your left and right feet.
Keep your posture upright and avoid bending the supporting leg.
Instead of spinning a full 360 degrees from the start, expand gradually—90 degrees, then 180 degrees—to move more smoothly.
Also, be mindful not to let your toes or body drift toward other directions.
Be sure to master this movement—it’s a great addition even to technical dance styles!
In conclusion
We’ve compiled a roundup of steps that street dance beginners will want to learn.
Since we’ve organized them by dance genre, it might be a good idea to practice by first learning one basic step from each genre.
There are tons of lesson videos uploaded online, so use plenty of them as references and practice a lot to improve!