High School Dance Comp

[Corner-Trap]

This was my very first dance competition so I was kinda nervous when I went up. I've only been dancing since around late November or early December of last year, which was like 6 or 7 months ago. I'm just posting my video and the other contestants videos to see what everyone thinks. Please go easy with the criticism :sad:

Here's the video of me, I didn't know I was suppose to bring my own music so I told the DJ to simply play a song I could break to, but I didn't particularly like the song I was given and couldn't really feel the music. Also the song ended earlier than I thought:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4767_o5i3hY

This vid is of my friend Jeremy who I break with occasionally, he got second place. I should have borrowed his iPod and got a track off of it so I could've had a song I liked:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OTjjZIn4uE

This one is of Richard who one the whole competition. I break with him also, but I don't really know him like that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trKJefhDT7s

Here's a video of a B-Girl who was at the comp. I never met her before the comp so I don't have much to say:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiFR6zJz2xM

I'm not even sure what she was doing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hkx4qZKx38

He filmed all these dances and also participated in the comp with a broken ankle, so I have to give him props for that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEzwubGF_nk

I don't know either of these people so I don't have much to say, and their both krumpers and I'm not particularly fond of that dance style(although I do think the guy in the second vid was sick):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJvtVD-FamI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwhsrEMp6d4

[DevilJin 01]

You didn't know to bring your own music? I used to break back in the day and if I was doing something like that I'd have to have my own music. Put in some old school Streets of Rage or Tekken music or something. LOL. I didn't have the sound on so I couldn't hear what music you were dancing to. Not bad though. I wasn't much better than you were back in the day (actually I was clearly worse) and I always wanted to be able to do 1990s and stuff but never had the means or time to practice enough. Your tracks aren't bad either.

[Corner-Trap]

Well a lot of people in my city break and I always needed a hobby that wasn't gaming related, so I do have the means and the time to break. I didn't really want to do power moves because I was scared that I might mess up so I stuck to foot work mostly. On a side note I was doing swipes not flares, although I can do those also.

[DevilJin 01]

Well a lot of people in my city break and I always needed a hobby that wasn't gaming related, so I do have the means and the time to break. I didn't really want to do power moves because I was scared that I might mess up so I stuck to foot work mostly. On a side note I was doing swipes not flares, although I can do those also.

LOL. It's been so long I can't even remember the terms. Yeah...a few flares or other power moves thrown in would have been cool but you got style and that's what really counts. Good to hear that bboying is pretty popular where you are. I would have gotten into it more if there was more than 3 other people at my school who could break (or make a real attempt at it). Never really had anywhere to practice outside of school and we eventually got banned from bboying in the hallways at lunch.

[Corner-Trap]

Well my school is a bit more focused on arts so our principal kinda encourages dancing. I either break at someones house who has roll out mats(their not necessarily mats but its this kind of fake wood you can roll up), and I know three people with those kind of mats, one of them being Richard who is in one of the videos. I also break at the martial arts dojo down the street whenever they have open gym. The dojo master there is cool with me and my friends doing that.

[ulovemikeroch]

If you don't mind I would like to post some hopefully constructive criticism .
I wasn't really feeling your toprock, from all three actually. Maybe I'm biased, or maybe I'm gonna the only one that hates it. Whatever it is, I wasn't too fond of it.

You guys clearly aren't there yet, I'd say at 50% if there was a bboy scale or some shit. Not to sound mean. You guys had some moves down, but even then you guys were messing them up or weren't getting them cleanly. Practice practice practice. I used to have a philosophy that was to never show a move off until you can get it 100% of the time anywhere, anyplace. It's understandable though that you weren't getting them 100 percent. I mean, we're not devoted to breaking 100 percent since we have other things to do in our lives and most of us are armatures. Of course once you have the moves down you gotta start linking them.

Of course, we're not the physicx's, hongten, juniors or Ronnie Ruens of the world, so it's again fine.

I do have some shit I wanna say about the competition and environment. First off, what the fuck, they based your shit off of 1 minute performances? And you guys each went up and showed your shit off once? What the fuck is that, that ain't no competition. Show them how we do brackets and tournaments at Evo.
Also, I fucking hate it when stupid ass motherfuckers in the audience, get all wilded up about a windmill. Especially a single freeze that just turns the crowd on like wildfucking fire. It just makes me mad seeing people get off light shit and not knowing anything about bboying. Sure if they're not into it or anything, but it's not like those people haven't seen a Nike Kick or anything in their lives.

[Reveal]

True Ulovemikeroch, but at least they had a chance to show off what they got. I never had anything like that at my high school. Not a dance competition anyway, it was more of a talent show.

And yeah, maybe they didn't have the cleanest top rock or footwork or whatever. I don't think it's a reason NOT to go out there and do your thing though. That's how you get better.

But yeah, I do agree with you on the audience... you just gotta know who's watching. If you know you can make the crowd go crazy by doing some easy move like a hand glide or some easy freeze, then why not?

[maxx]

it looks less of u feeling the music but u being super nervous and going through the motions. got some skills and can be a good bboy if you keep it up.

[nGuman]

Good footwork, your choregraphy felt like you were somewhat nervous, but at the end you did some nice stuff.

[Corner-Trap]

Thanks for the criticism, I maybe new to dancing but I really love bboying and I'm really trying to get better. As far as my toprockin goes, yeah I knew it kinda sucked when I was doin it, I just couldn't catch on to the beat. I'm honestly a lot smoother than that and I do have the ability to pull off moves 100% of the time, but I guess my nerves kinda got to me, it's also the reason why I didn't go for power moves because I wasn't confident enough to pull them off. As stated before none of us are professionals so we aren't going to bust out any big power combos, the crowd just wanted to get hype. It would be mad borin if the crowd was quite the whole time simply because we aren't Hong 10 quality. As for the comp not being run professionally, it's a school battle what did you expect? Although I am trying to join RUSH next year so I can help coordinate things better.

[Yeah Dood 120%]

:wonder: Was that at 71st High School? I went there years ago... dood.

[Corner-Trap]

:wonder: Was that at 71st High School? I went there years ago... dood.

Yeah it is, you told me before that you went to 71st.

[Yeah Dood 120%]

:wonder: Word up Corner-Trap, I knew that stage looked familiar. Wow, they haven't changed it in almost 9 years. Nice work on your breakin'. Stinks that your song got cut short, looks like you were ready to get down too. It reminds me of when there was a talent show that my brother was in, he did a piano jam with Alicia Keys' Butterflyz (http://youtube.com/watch?v=uDDbJPzEFpM), Stevie Wonders' Isn't She Lovely (http://youtube.com/watch?v=b2WzocbSd2w), some classical song that I can't remember and going to end it with Piano Bar (http://youtube.com/watch?v=6rDHy3XFrqA) from Cowboy Bebop but they cut him short before he could jam to the bebop track. Anyways, keep it up, you seem to be really good at it. :rofl: You should go to FFF one day and serve some of the kids that play that dancing game... dood.

[Corner-Trap]

Do people even still go to FFF? I've been there a couple times and it's always dead. Does everyone go to the new FFF in Hope Mills? Cause I've never been there yet.

[maxx]

corner trap...ok so always come correct on the beat....just cause u dont have alot of big power moves doesnt mean shit. if you come correct with hitting the beats it dont matter. im not a big power person..i have power but not in the traditional sense..since mine comes from martial arts and capoeira. but i come correct about being on beat...if you saw me last year compared to this year..you wouldnt think i was the same bboy. when i get on the floor i hit the beat like i was ducky. my tops i hit hard and on point..my floorwork needs work, but as long as i understand that its about the beat its ok.

remember bboying employs 4 main parts..toprock/downrock ie floorwork/freezes and power.

you can lack in one area but make it up in the others...if you got all power..ya that will impress the ignorant but it wont fly wit real dancers or bboys. you do got madd potential and im excited to see u post more...i have a bboy thread on srk. so if u wanna discuss bboying more me,chidori, and a few others will be glad to.

[Corner-Trap]

Actually I'm more of a power mover than a style head, it's just that I wasn't confident in my abilities to do my power moves on stage since it was my first time performing in front of an audience. I was concentrating more on executing my moves and keeping everything clean then trying to be flashy, but even then I still messed up a few times. Usually my toprock is much better than that but I couldn't catch the beat for shit, but I started to get on track once I got to my footwork. I don't necessarily lack in any area since I strive to be well rounded, but my friend who I break with the most is a pure power mover so I kinda lean more towards that style. And I didn't even know there was a Bboy thread here.

[maxx]

Actually I'm more of a power mover than a style head, it's just that I wasn't confident in my abilities to do my power moves on stage since it was my first time performing in front of an audience. I was concentrating more on executing my moves and keeping everything clean then trying to be flashy, but even then I still messed up a few times. Usually my toprock is much better than that but I couldn't catch the beat for shit, but I started to get on track once I got to my footwork. I don't necessarily lack in any area since I strive to be well rounded, but my friend who I break with the most is a pure power mover so I kinda lean more towards that style. And I didn't even know there was a Bboy thread here.

u contradicted urself..u said ur a powerhead and then said ur an all around bboy. im confused.

[Corner-Trap]

What I meant is that I strive to be an well rounded bboy but I lean more towards power because my friend who I break with the most is a pure power head. I didn't mean to be confusing.

[amandainnswooo]

I love youtube! and I commented and rated a few, nice moves, the guy who won was good! Try out for So you think you can dance!

[maxx]

w/e u do....strive to be the best. no settle for half assness. if u cant figure sumtin out find an alternative way to do it.

i cant do traditional powermoves right now..so i supplement them wit flips and martial arts tricks..as well as i doubled my effort wit footwork and top rocking.

[Corner-Trap]

I love youtube! and I commented and rated a few, nice moves, the guy who won was good! Try out for So you think you can dance!

You're about the 1000th person to suggest that to me. Also I'm surprised that Richard won, I was certain Jeremy would take it.

w/e u do....strive to be the best. no settle for half assness. if u cant figure sumtin out find an alternative way to do it.

i cant do traditional powermoves right now..so i supplement them wit flips and martial arts tricks..as well as i doubled my effort wit footwork and top rocking.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who can't do flips. All I got is a sloppy back hand spring which isn't that impressive. Also what did you think of my footwork? I feel like it's the only thing I really did well.

[maxx]

You're about the 1000th person to suggest that to me. Also I'm surprised that Richard won, I was certain Jeremy would take it.



Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who can't do flips. All I got is a sloppy back hand spring which isn't that impressive. Also what did you think of my footwork? I feel like it's the only thing I really did well.

if your not strong in area, dont throw it in a bboy battle. throw ur tricks clean....never throw sumtin half assed or sloppy. because if ur opponent can do it better u can lose the round. flips take alot of time and dedication..it took me 2 years to aerial so dont think ur the only one...some people take to it quicker than others..dont worry about it.

ur footwork was clean, u looked nervous so it lacked a bit but once u build confidence more u will be good. u have alot of potential..just keep at it.

[Corner-Trap]

Well my friend just got a new camera and me and my crew plan on filming more of our dances soon, so watch out for those. Doing the whole comp helped me get over my nervousness when performing in front of a crowd, next time I'll be a bit more comfortable.

[amandainnswooo]

Well my friend just got a new camera and me and my crew plan on filming more of our dances soon, so watch out for those. Doing the whole comp helped me get over my nervousness when performing in front of a crowd, next time I'll be a bit more comfortable.

I love so you think you can dance, I will subscribe to see what else you ad! good luck!

[Corner-Trap]

Actually thats someone else profile who filmed the dances for us, I'll be making my own youtube account to put videos on.

[Vynce]

I liked your dancing. In fact, I enjoyed it more than the winner's. It's worth noting that I know nothing about breakin'. But, as a white boy, I think it's the coolest. Keep at it!

[Kyokuji]

That shit is all mad basic, but nothing embarrassing at least like some "dancers" I've seen. You guys just need to speed your shit up. It all looked far too careful and deliberate except for some of the last guy's stuff. You're all in high school though, so you're not bad at all for how long I assume you've been doing it.
DJ fucked you over on your bit though. That song was wayyyy too slow for breaking -- too slow for popping even.

First place guy deserved his win, though, even if that airchair was kinda weak.

You actually have better form on your footwork than the other two guys because the rest of them don't swing enough at the front.
You just gotta step a little quicker and get off your palms and on to the bottom of your fingers. That'll give you more height and control, and it'll take the strain off your knees. I'm not a fan of those mini-swipe style 2-steps though. It's hard to make it look good unless you do it really fast and your body is stretched out enough like Moy.

Also, you should never have both hands on the ground during footwork except during certain techs, briefly at the back during the last part of the six step and briefly when you turn over during a 3/4-step. Lean your body over when you switch arms, so you stay level.

[Corner-Trap]

As I said before I kept it simple to avoid messing up, I didn't want my first dance comp to be embarrassing, and I've only been dancing for around 6 months.

I never thought about simply being on my fingertips while doing footwork, I'll give it a try if it helps me look cleaner. Thanks for the other tips also.

[maxx]

As I said before I kept it simple to avoid messing up, I didn't want my first dance comp to be embarrassing, and I've only been dancing for around 6 months.

I never thought about simply being on my fingertips while doing footwork, I'll give it a try if it helps me look cleaner.

6 months? madd good for 6 months...definetly 10x better than my first 6 months.

[Kyokuji]

I feel you. First battle I ever entered, everything was a mess because I had so much adrenaline pumping through me. I was going at like 300 MPH, my shit looked sloppy, and I burnt myself out early.

Watch some videos of top bboys, though, they all do it on their finger tips. If you're flat on your palms, your body is lower, and it's harder to go fast or lean, which is why people on flat palms tend to have to use both arms more.

Footwork is the number one thing I see people teach wrong and then other people pass that bad form on, so it's frustrating.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=it1-uJVpzSw - Here's a good guide from Gamblers. Don't worry so much about what he's saying. Just watch what he's doing.

It'll hurt at first being on your fingertips, but you'll develop callouses after a while, and you won't feel anything. Just start slow.
It's not "completely" on your finger tips; the bottom of your fingers at like the other end of your knuckles still touch.

Notice how he switches arms and leans to the side when he swings at the front instead of putting both arms down.
The secret to good form is not to let your ass sink too low when you're doing footwork of any kind (which is why being flat on your hand is bad).
Swipes work the same way, but your ass has to be up really high for those. Your's were actually decently high. You should consider trying one-legged ones.

[Corner-Trap]

Well theres a shit ton of Bboys where I live and lots of places to practice so I kinda had the edge when it came to learning. I beat I would be a whole lot worse if I didn't have such a lively dance community.

[VRViperII]

pretty good for 6 months :tup:

some tips:
1) speed up
2) put more energy into your footwork and feel the music more with your toprock

but yea, the song was really hard to break to...

[majeh]

not bad. keep at it. lemme ask, how long have you been bboyin?

[maxx]

not bad. keep at it. lemme ask, how long have you been bboyin?

6 months.

[Corner-Trap]

pretty good for 6 months :tup:

some tips:
1) speed up
2) put more energy into your footwork and feel the music more with your toprock

but yea, the song was really hard to break to...

Well it was kinda hard to speed up to a slow song.

not bad. keep at it. lemme ask, how long have you been bboyin?

......I guess no one likes reading. Six months.

[Corner-Trap]

Main thing I hate about GD is how quickly threads get bumped far back. So here's a shameless bump to my thread.

[majeh]

i didnt read lol.. my bad. for six months and being able to do the bare minimum to a song like that isnt bad. for 6 months this is actually really good. the only thing i see wrong is that you rushed a little bit to hit those beats which can certainly be excused by the fact that you didnt know the song well enough.

when you kept gettin really high on those swipes, i expected some airlflares to be thrown in there or something. youre physical abilities are just fine i think

[Kyokuji]

Well it was kinda hard to speed up to a slow song.

If somebody puts on a really slow ass rap song or something, I just add more steps in between beats. Tap dancers do that a lot and toprocking has a lot of foundation in tap.
Or you could just do really wide power tops to lengthen your steps and make you look more active.

[Corner-Trap]

I can actually do a ghetto air flare out of a swipe, and I have several friends who know how to do an air flare and they're currently trying to teach me to do it the traditional way. As for the slow beat, it kinda messed me up but I definitely prefer a fast song. What really got me was the fact that I didn't know what to expect from the DJ, he just gave me a random track and I wasn't prepared.