How to Practice a Coin Drop

Breakdancing can be a mix of toprock (uprock) moves and downrock (6-step) moves. When you go from toprock breakdancing (pop and lock, gliding) to downrock, you need a transition. The coin drop is one of the basic transitions all breakdancers need to learn. Make sure you spend time making this transition as good as possible because it is a big part of your overall breakdancing skills.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Large open space to practice
• Large piece of cardboard or a smooth wood floor

Learn and Practice the Coin Drop Transition

1. Determine if you will spin clockwise or counter-clockwise.
2. Twist your upper body hard to the left (counter-clockwise spin) while your lower body stays in position.
3. Bend over from your waist and place both hands on the floor. Your arms must be strong enough to keep your body weight up in the air.
4. Kick your feet up into the air. The rotation created by the twist of your upper body should give your legs a spinning momentum so your legs begin to go around your body when your feet go to the air.
5. Lower your body onto your left shoulder so your shoulder contacts the floor as your body spins.
6. Spin and roll onto your right shoulder as your legs continue spinning.
7. Practice going into the windmill after you drop to the floor with the coin drop transition.
8. Use the coin drop to take you directly into a smooth back spin or into a six-step.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need enough upper body strength to support your body weight for making the transition with the coin drop. You can build your upper body strength with push ups, pull ups, dips and sit ups. You can also lift weights.
• The steps in using the coin drop happen very quickly, within a second or two to create the spin needed.
• The coin drop sets you up for spins and windmills. The harder you twist your body to create tension, the faster you will be able to spin with a windmill or backspin.
• Don't rush through each coin drop practice. Make sure you are following the technique properly.
• Don't be disappointed when you have to spend an hour or more working on this one basic move. Keep working hard and you will be able to do it.