How to dance popping

Learn How To Pop, or Hit With Your Body! (Popping Dance)

Do you want to learn how to Pop your neck? How to Pop your arms? Your PECTORALS?

Let's learn about the *Pop (sometimes referred to as a Hit), and practice Popping with different parts of your body.

‍*We will be using the terms "Pop" in this article.

What is a Pop, or Hit?

A Pop, or Hit, is the most fundamental move in Popping. In fact, some might even say that it is the only move that really defines Popping.

‍Read about the style here: What Is Popping?

‍Popping is done by flexing specific muscle groups, usually to beats in music.

Dancers Pop continuously to a steady rhythm, while using different poses and pathways in between Pops.

How do you Pop?

The more energy you put into flexing, within a smaller amount of time, the stronger you Pop will look.

Learning how to Pop requires a lot of repetition and drilling, so practice Popping using one body part at a time.

As a result of conditioning, your body will memorize how to Pop certain body parts in different angles and pictures.

How to Pop your chest

Popping with your chest requires you to control your core. Suck in your lower stomach /diaphragm to push your upper chest out.

The faster you do it, the stronger your hit will look. Also, curve your spine in and out to create an even bigger effect.

How to Pop your neck

To practice neck Popping, use the muscles in the front of your neck to control moving your neck forward, back, and side to side.

While, try to keep your chin level, because isolating your neck will make it easier to see how much your head is moving.

“It should feel like something is tapping you on the back of your head.”

– Boogie Frantick

How to Pop your arms

Start with your arms outstretched, straight front of you (parallel to the ground). Loosen your arms by bending your elbows a bit, then flex everything.

If you want to know how to Pop with your hands, then snap downward with your wrists as your knuckles snap upward.

Pretend like you're revving a motorcycle engine really fast.

Afterwards, you can put all these parts together to create a full arm pop.

How to Pop your legs

Sit on a chair and focus all your energy on flexing your left, then right leg. Then stand up and try to execute the Pop with the same control.

Since it's more comfortable to train on a chair, you'll be able to strengthen your thigh and calf muscles before doing it standing.

All these tips are from Boogie Frantick's Beginner Popping Program on STEEZY Studio.

‍You'll learn all the basics, so it's perfect for beginners who don't know how to Pop.

He'll go in-depth with each technique, and give you drills that you can practice anywhere, anytime.

If you want to keep practicing your Pops/Hits, then take Clay's 7 Days of Hits Program on STEEZY Studio.

Each day, you'll practice hitting with a different part of your body, or learn a new concept like textures or timing. Try it now for free!

How To Learn Popping – The Ultimate Popping Training Guide

Want a clear, easy-to-follow guide to learn Popping? This 8-week Popping Training Guide is the perfect way for beginners to cover all the major Popping techniques.

The Popping training guide is divided up like this:

‍Week 1: Hitting, Arm Waves

Week 2: Body Waves, Glides

Week 3: Review, Freestyle

Week 4: Isolation, Animation

Week 5: Fresno, Flexes Week

6: Review, Freestyle Week

7: Walk out / Boogaloo, Twist, Tuts

Week 8: Review, Freestyle

‍Follow this Popping Training Guide to learn and practice all the basic Popping moves you need to know.

You can also download this Popping Training Calendar PDF to custom-plan your schedule:

Download Your 8 Week Training Calendar To Follow Along!

Popping Technique 1: Hitting

Learn how to hit:

Hitting (or popping) is when you flex and release your muscles as quickly and as powerfully as possible. Hitting is done to the beats in music.

‍For more in-depth instruction, read: Learn How To Pop, Or Hit With Your Body!

Drill Popping hits:

Practice by hitting one body part at a time (arms, legs, chest/torso, neck), in different positions.

Play this song:

4 8-counts: Hit with your arms extended straight in front of you, parallel to each other
4 8-counts: Hit with your arms extended straight out, perpendicular to the ground
1 8-count: From this position, hit as your arm rises up in increments until they are straight up above your head, parallel to each other.
1 8-count: Then bring them back down, still hitting on beat. (repeat this up-down motion as many times as you wish)
4 8-counts: Hit with your torso/chest
4 8-counts: Sit in a chair, and hit with your neck
4 8-counts: Stay in the chair, and hit with your legs
2 8-counts: Stand on one leg, and hit with the other leg slightly extended out
2 8 counts: Stand on the other leg, and hit with the other leg slightly extended out

OR,

Just take Clay's 7 Days of Hits Program on STEEZY Studio!

Things to remember:

You want your hits to pack in as much power as possible, in the shortest amount of time possible.

You can hit on the 1 (boom), or the 2 (ka), both, or “ride through” the 1 beat to the 2.

Popping Technique 2: Arm Waves

Learn how to do the Arm Wave:

The 12-point arm wave can be broken down like this

Drill Popping Arm Waves:

Practice the 12-Point Arm Wave with Boogie Frantick

More practice:

Practice the 12-point arm wave with your arms straight out, reversing directions each 8 count. Do this 4 8 counts slowly, 4 8 counts tempo.
Then, do it with one arm only for 4 8 counts.
Switch arms, repeat for 4 8 counts.
Wave both arms inward towards your chest for 4 8 counts, then reverse it out toward your fingertips for 4 8 counts
Wave any or both arms in any direction for 4 8 counts. Get creative! You want your arms to “memorize” the pathway of the wave in as many positions as possible.

Things to remember:

It’s important to break down each point of the 12-point wave before blending it all together to create a smooth movement.

This builds your arm’s muscle memory. Keep your hands loose and fluid, and rotate your elbows to create a smoother wave.

Practice facing a mirror; how the wave looks from your POV might not be how it looks to someone watching!

You can practice waving your arms in any / all positions, not just the angles given.

Popping Technique 3: Body Waves

Learn how to body wave:

The 8-point body wave: move in one direction, starting with your head, shoulders, hip, knee, other knee, back to your hip, shoulders, up to your head.

The wave should move down one side of your body, then back up the other.

Drill Popping body waves:

Wave down one side of your body for 4 counts, then back up for 4 counts.

Do this for this entire song:

Things to remember:

It’s important to start and complete your full body waves.

Drill how to isolate the different parts of the wave, but incorporate it into your grooves.

You can start the full body wave from different body parts (like from the ground-up).

Technique 4: Glides

Learn how to Glide:

Do the step-glide by stepping out with one foot, then sliding it back.

Do the over-under/under-over glide by lifting the heel of one foot, and sliding the other foot in front of it. Take that same foot, and slide it behind the other foot.

Drill Popping glides:

Practice the Step Glide with Boogie Frantick with this free YouTube drill:

More practice:

Do the over-under/under-over glide 4 times in one direction, then 4 times in the opposite direction

Things to remember:

Footwork doesn’t mean your upper body isn’t doing anything! Add your own flavor with grooves or head looks, etc.

Gliding is all about shifting your weight on your feet. Pay attention to which foot and where (heel/toe) your weight is.

Review: Hitting, Arm Waves, Body Waves, Glides

Re-visit the techniques from weeks 1 and 2. Combine all the techniques that you learned in a guided freestyle.

Play this song:

2 8-counts: Hit with your arms in any position
2 8-counts: Wave both arms in any angle
2 8-counts: Do the body wave
2 8-counts: Do the step-glide in any direction
2 8-counts: Hit with your chest
1 8-count: Wave only 1 arm, in our out
1 8-counts: Wave with the other arm, in our out
2 8-counts: Body wave as you step out with your feet
2 8-counts: Do the over-under glide
Remainder of the song: Combine any of the techniques in your own freestyle

Popping Technique 5: Isolations / Fixed Points

Learn how to do isolations and fixed points:

Isolate one body part and move it while the rest of your body stays still, or

Keep one body part at a fixed point as the rest of your body moves around it.

Drill Popping isolations and fixed points:

Play this song:

4 8-counts: Isolate your head by moving it front and back
4 8-counts: Isolate your head by moving it side to side
4 8-counts: Isolate your head by moving it in a circular motion, like you’re making a letter “O”
4 8-counts: Extend your arms straight in front of you, and create circles with your hands
4 8-counts: Keep the same position, then start bending/moving at your wrists and elbows
4 8-counts: Isolate your legs by doing an “in-place” glide – keeping one leg planted while the other glides in front of it and back
8 8-counts: Fix point different things, like putting your hand on a “wall” and dancing around it, or holding a “ball” and only moving the ball

Things to remember:

Isolations and fixed points are great tools to create concepts, imagery, and stories. Solid balance is key when fix pointing your leg(s) and moving your upper body.

Popping Technique 6: Animation

Learn Popping animation:

Ticking is when you snap into a position with your joints.

Strobing is a faster pace of dime stops; it creates this illusion of leaving a trail of movement (like you’re dancing under a strobe light).

Poppers often strobe in pedestrian movements like walking.

Botting is when you create a “Robot” effect with your whole body using parts of these techniques. It makes your body/movements look “fake.”

Drill Popping animation:

Start this mixtape:

Tick through the entire 12-point arm wave for 5 minutes straight
Do the 4-point tick walk: stepping forward with one foot, and ticking the other leg in 4 points as you complete the step
Strobe as you arm wave, walk, and complete other pedestrian movements (cooking, brushing your teeth)

Things to remember:

Keep your core nice and firm when you’re ticking your limbs and make your dime stops as clean as possible when you strobe.

Popping Technique 7: Fresno

Learn how to do the Fresno:

The Fresno is a part of Popping / Boogaloo technique. Shift your weight from side to side as you hit with each leg and arm.

Drill the Popping Fresno:

Play this mixtape:

4 8-counts: Do the Fresno (1 hit makes you move, the 2nd makes you stop)
4 8-counts: Hit your bottom right diagonal, bottom mid position, then bottom left diagonal
4 8-counts: Do the Fresno in a “single single double double,” AKA your arms hitting right left right right, left right left left
8 8-counts: Do the Fresno with variations with your steps (walk outs)

Things to remember:

The Fresno is important because it really teaches you how to stay with the pace of the music. Use your weight to keep balance as you pivot your feet.

Your whole body turns, not just your hip!

Never snap your legs all the way back; use your ankles to buffer the hits.

Popping Technique 8: Flexes

Learn how to do flexes:

The Twist-o-flex is when you put your hands on either side of your hips, then pivot your arms so that your chin is touching one shoulder.

Turn your upper torso to meet the plane of your hand placements there, then step forward to your base position.

The Neck-o-flex is when you touch your chin to a shoulder as you extend it out, then pivot your lower body around your arms as your head stays facing that direction.

Then, turn your upper body and head to the opposite arm.

Drill Popping flexes:

Play this:

8 8-counts: Twist-o-flex
8 8-counts: Neck-o-flex
8 8-counts: combine both flexes in your own freestyle

Review: Isolations, Animation, Fresno, Flexes

Re-visit the techniques from weeks 4 and 5. Combine all the techniques that you learned in a guided freestyle. Play any song you like.

2 8-counts: Isolate any body part
2 8-counts: Isolate another body part
2 8-counts: Fixed point one body part
2 8-counts: Fixed point another body part
2 8-counts: Tick the 12-point arm wave
2 8-counts: Tick while walking
2 8-counts: Strobe from/to any position
2 8-counts: Do the Fresno
2 8-counts: Do the Twist-o-flex
2 8-counts: Do the Neck-o-flex
Remainder of the song: combine any of the techniques in your own freestyle

Popping Technique 9: Walk Out and Boogaloo

Learn the Walk Out and Boogaloo:

Do the Walk Out by crossing one leg in front and across from you. With that some foot, step toward the other diagonal.

Twist to that direction, then step forward with the back foot. Use the same foot to step behind yourself, then pivot to the front, and bring both feet in.

The Boogaloo is when you do a full body wave, starting from your head rolling all the way around, rolling your shoulders in opposite directions, pushing your chest out, then bringing your hips and knees out and around.

Drill the Walk Out and Boogaloo:

Play this:

14 8-counts: Hit all the 7 points of the walk out 4 times each.
14 8-counts: Use your opposite foot to start and hit all the 7 points of the walk out 4 times each.
Repeat hitting during the walk out on each side, but 2 times in each position.
Repeat again, 1 hit in each position, in tempo with the music.
Draw a “figure 8” with your knees to prepare to do the Boogaloo roll.
8 8-counts: do slow Boogaloo rolls - fill up the full 8-count per roll
8 8-counts: medium Boogaloo rolls - 4 counts per roll
4 8-counts: fast Boogaloo rolls - 2 counts per roll

Things to remember:

For the walk out, use your opposite arm when you step forward with a leg.

Stay loose with your body as you do the Boogaloo roll.

Popping Technique 10: Twists

Learn Popping twists:

Do the Egyptian Twist by making angular pictures with your arms as you pivot your focus and toes toward different directions.

Drill Popping twists:

Play this:

1 8-count of Egyptian twist to your right.
1 8-count of Egyptian to your left.
2 Egyptian twists to your right, 2 steps to your right.
2 Egyptian twists to your left, 2 steps to your left.

Things to remember:

Keep your upper body and shoulders squared to the front, with your face following your toes. Hit with each time you pivot or step.

Popping Technique 11: Tutting

Learn how to Tut:

Tut by creating different lines and shapes with your arms. Bend from the elbows, wrists, and fingers.

Drill tutting exercises:

Play any song
From a resting position, bend at your elbow to raise one arm to chest level
From there, extend it straight up
Go through this same pathway to bring your arm down
8 8-counts: Drill your arms in this up-up-down-down pattern, alternating between arms
Now raise both arms by the elbows in front of your face, and bend in a 90 degree angle at the wrist
8 8-counts: Alternate bending each side
4 8-counts: Extend your arms straight out on each side, and bend at the the elbows and wrists at 90 degree angles to create a “Z” then rotate them inward to create a box

Things to remember:

Keep your angles clean! 90, 180 degrees

Review: Boogaloo, Twists, Tutting

Combine all the techniques that you learned in a guided freestyle.

2 8-counts: Boogaloo rolls
2 8-counts: Egyptian twist
2 8-counts: Tut with just your arms
2 8-counts: Tut while traveling with footwork (you can just step, or glide)
2 8-counts: Walk out and Boogaloo rolls
2 8-counts: Egyptian twist in different variations
Remainder of the song: combine any of the techniques in your own freestyle

Use this guide to train your basic Popping technique within 2 months.

If you want to follow along with a tutorial, STEEZY Studio’s Popping Program (taught by renowned Poppers Boogie Frantick, Kid Boogie, and Slim Boogie) is a much easier way to train.

All you have to do is plan out your schedule and follow along with the videos. Sign up here to try it out for free!

Popping training VIEW ALL LESSONS >>>

Popping dance style video demonstration

The popping dance style was born in the 70s of the 20th century in the western United States. The name of the Popping style came from the word pop, which was pronounced by one of the founders of the style when he rhythmically strained his muscles in beat music. In Russian, the name Popping is pronounced as "popping" or "papping" (the latter is even a little more correct). They sometimes write poppin or poppin'. In the vastness of the Russian Internet there are spelling poping. But back to the dance. It is built on rhythmic muscle strikes that the popping dancer (be it a girl or a guy) does to the rhythm of the music. The very style of popping in its visual manner was the ancestor of the robot dance style. From this direction, popping inherited a certain illusiveness and ironness, to which was added danceability and groove. Today, the popping style has had a strong influence on the formation of other dance styles, such as hip hop, dubstep, electric boogie. nine0005

To successfully master the style, you need to pay attention to the study of the basics of popping dance. And even more precisely on the study of isolations and fixations. This process requires a certain concentration, but if you want to learn how to dance popping, then you will overcome it. If you feel that you need a mentor who would show all the subtleties of dance and help you take your first steps, then come to me at the Dragon School. Even if you have never practiced, you are shy - it's okay. My trainers and I train people even from "complete zero". Everything will work out, the main thing is to want! nine0005

Basic Technique: Video Lessons Popping Style for Beginners

1. Fresno/Pop. How to make pap. The most important lesson in teaching popping

As I said, the most important thing in the style of popping dance, you need to learn how to make a good, clear, powerful pop. Pap, or as it is sometimes called a hit, is done by cutting into the beat of the music of your muscles. Here it is necessary to make the blow the way you hear even scores in music, namely dry, biting. Sometimes it turns out to be done right away, sometimes it takes a little time to practice, but this is what will allow you to learn how to dance popping the way you have long wanted. nine0005

2. How to learn to dance popping: the Twist-o-flex movement

Moving on to learning the basic elements of the popping dance style, it is important to remember that it is necessary that the pop itself remains. Without this, you cannot master the dance and learn popping. Move on. Your dad should be related to the groove. Groove is the feeling in music that swings you and makes you move. Actually, the whole secret is how to make a groove and dads friends. Then the popping dance itself will be born in you, and you will understand how to dance. Keep all this in mind when you learn individual elements. Having mastered it, dance so that they fit into the music and you feel comfortable with the dance movements of the style. nine0005

3. Beginner's Popping Training: The Basic Element of the Walk Out Dance

This popping dance movement uses steps and body. Take a close look at this popping dance tutorial video and may the force be with you! Yes. don't forget about groove and dads. This is such a spell when you learn popping.

4. Popping dance lessons: Crazy Legs

Here is another basic Poppin dance style move. A small note: when you start learning leg movements, make sure that the body does not stagger from side to side, but is more isolated. In this case, your movements will look more stylish and correct. nine0005

5. School of popping: Old Man Walk

This is a tricky element that will give you strong control over your body while dancing, so the game is worth the candle. As you learn this popping move, pay attention to how you make the rings. Isolate the movement with the ring when doing it to the side. In general, follow the strictest isolation in this element, each movement is done independently of other parts of the body. Use your reflection in the mirror as an ally in learning this element and then you will learn how to pop. nine0005

Routines Popping dance.

1. Popping Dance Link #1

It's time to put everything we've learned together. Recommendation: first learn the dance combination popping to the count. Make sure that the movements flow smoothly from one to the other, without dullness and downtime. After that, try to do it along with the music. first make either 4 accounts or a figure eight, then move on to the next one, and only then glue everything together. Then, whether you are a guy or a girl, you will dance popping perfectly! nine0005

2. Dance combination in popping style No. 2. Popping Training

Another link to expand your range of movements that you can use in the popping dance and make the dance more varied. Remember that the links are given to you to show examples of how to use the basic technique. I would recommend that you try to collect your own bundles from elements, like from cubes. But, we are getting ahead of ourselves. and now master the video lessons of popping and learn the link! nine0005

I hope that my online popping lessons have helped you understand what popping is. I want to honestly note that this is not the easiest style, not everyone can immediately master it from a cavalry charge. However, if you want to dance to your own joy and to the envy of others, then just take a little patience and everything will definitely work out. Of course, if you learn to dance popping under the supervision of a wise mentor and coach, things will go faster. I advise you to do this, because I remember how much time it took me to do it myself, and how many mistakes I had to correct later. If you live in Moscow, then come to my popping school and learn the basics. This will help you dance confidently and develop. nine0005

Still have questions? Call!

Learn to dance Popping in Moscow

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Popping (pop; from the English Poppin') is a dance direction based on the hip-hop technique that creates the effect of a sharp fixation of the muscles in the dancer's body - pop or hit . This is where the name Papping comes from.

Learn to dance pop - this is fun and useful:

Train to the best in your business
feel each part of your body
Develop your sense of rhythm and plasticity
Become part of our big and friendly family
Speaken with us at competitions and festivals
Participate in Batlah, Castings
and Flashmobach
Participate in popular shows

How to teach you how to dance popping in Moscow?

Popping is not in vain considered one of the most expressive and vibrant styles of dance. It appeared at the end of the 20th century, when funk music ruled the world. This incendiary dance borrowed some elements from the locking. His technique requires controlling the muscles of the body, contracting them to create characteristic thrusts and then stopping abruptly. In our school you can learn how to dance popping for beginners and beginners in Moscow in the CAO and SEAD. Did you know that the legendary "moonwalk" is a popping element? nine0005

Learn how to dance popping in Moscow: how to become a star?

Popping Dance in its movements and techniques is somewhat similar to a lively robot dance. Previously, it was often confused with top breakdancing, but these directions are completely different. Popping today can be found on the dance floors of discos and clubs. The emphasis in technical terms is on isolation of movements, complete control of your body and on the development of muscle contractions - “dads” or “hits”. Our teachers are winners of international and all-Russian competitions, the best choreographers of the CIS countries and they will teach you all these subtleties. nine0005

Do you want to learn how to dance popping? Take the First Step

Each popping lesson begins with a traditional warm-up, followed by the basic movements. The lesson ends with the basics of improvisation, which are performed to the appropriate music. For beginners, this is the best direction and new dance elements are learned without any difficulty. Even if something remains unclear, our teachers will explain and show everything. Learning how to dance popping for guys and boys in our school near the Dmitrovskaya metro station is like becoming a dance floor star in real life. You just need to start. At the same time, age does not matter: we invite everyone who is 10 or more years old. nine0005

It is worth learning how to dance popping for girls and girls in a studio near Proletarskaya station and Volgogradsky prospect. By taking control of your body, you can better manage your emotions. As a bonus, you get an excellent physical shape and the attention of guys.

In our school you will find:

the opportunity to learn how to dance popping in the shortest possible time from the very basics;
new friends and associates;
experienced mentors;
comfortable and spacious rooms;
a lot of fun and inspiration.

Learning how to dance popping for children and teenagers is not only easy, but also affordable. The first lesson is absolutely free. You can quickly get to us from the stations Avtozavodskaya, Krestyanskaya Zastava. Sign up right now!

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