How To Six Step...
Let's Break It Down!

The six step is one of the original break dancing moves and it's great for filling in fancier footwork.

Once again, making it look effortless and hitting it on beat are the main objective when practicing this move.

As with almost every other move (more so for footwork moves), it's best to start off doing the six step in slow motion and then pick your speed gradually as you get more comfortable with the movements.

STARTING POSITION

The starting position is the push-up position (with your legs spread wider than your shoulders).

This means that you're on your hands and toes with your chest facing the ground. Your arms should be about shoulder width apart and ready to shift your weight to one side.

From this position you will be alternating legs to step with (left, right, left, right, left, right... or right, left, right, left, right, left).

This first step is a step where you will plant the heel of your foot on the ground once you've shifted your weight.

You will shift your weight onto one arm and and bring the opposite one up in the air for balance.

The stepping leg (the one that's on the opposite side of your arm in the air) will go under the supporting leg to plant out to the front/side.

You should have both legs straight (or close) and off the ground (only your 2 feet and 1 arm are supporting your weight).

Holding this position for a long time can be tough, but it's a good workout for improving your footwork and core strength.

This second step is a planting step and it's done on your toes.

The step is small but must be well placed. The back leg (it's also the top one) will step under your body so that you can comfortably sit down on your heel.

The other leg should still be out and relatively straight.

This step may seem awkward at first, but modify the placement of your foot so it feels comfortable and balanced.

All your weight should now be on the foot that you're sitting on and the opposite side hand on the ground for balance.

Remember that everybody does the same steps, but nobody does it exactly the same way.

The third step is also done on your toes.

The leg that is still out and pointing to the front/side will now step under your body (to mirror the other leg).

You should be able to get up and stand from here if wanted to.

Your feet should be close to shoulder width apart with knees fully bent and that same hand still on the ground (beside your newly planted foot).

The fourth step has a sweeping motion before step (ke step 1 with the opposite leg and strating from a different position).

As you sweep your leg (the one you sat on first) out in front of your body, you want to shift your body weight to the opposite arm by leaning to the other side.

The sweep should be done towards your supporting foot (so that you would trip it).

Once you've swept across and your leg can't sweep farther without tripping yourself, plant your heel (or the outside of your foot).

Keep this planted leg slightly bent so that putting your ready to shift your weight onto it.

The fifth of six steps is done with the leg that is still under your body.

It's the exact opposite of step 2.

Shift your weight onto the foot that just swept and the hand that is on the ground.

The foot that is under your body can now step out and to the back (about 45 degrees).

Both your legs should be straight... with one arm in the air for balance.

The ending position after this step will be the exact opposite of the position after step 1.

The final step will return you to the legs spread push-up position.

Take your leg that was swept across in step 4 and bring it under the top leg to return to the original position.

The arm that is in the air can simultaneously return to push-up position (shoulder-width apart).

Start over.

You just did the six step...

1. The six step gets easy faster if you start slow then build up speed.

2. Look for ways change it up (i.e. having the free hand on the hip)

3. Feel the flow of the moves and have fun.

MAKE IT LOOK EASY...THEN MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

Go from How to Six Step to Easy Break Dancing Moves

Go from How to Six Step to the Home Page