How to Practice a Sweep Drop

If you have watched any breakdancing live or in movies, you have seen the sweep drop. The sweep drop is a stylish way to go from the uprock position to the downrock position. You practice a sweep as part of the 6-step downrock almost all breakdancers use.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large open space to practice
• Great music with a beat
• Large piece of cardboard or smooth wood floor

Practice the Sweep Drop

1. Uprock to the beat of the music to get a feel for the song and to prepare to use the sweep drop on the beat of the song.

2. Drop down onto your left leg as your right leg moves straight out from your body.

3. Swing your right leg in a wide arc around your body. Keep your leg straight.

4. Shift your weight to your left leg as you make the transition.

5. Kick your right leg backwards as you are swing it around.

6. Bend your left leg to lower your body to the floor with the right leg swinging to the front of your body.

7. Put your weight on your hands to allow your legs to swing freely.

8. Practice the sweep drop with your left leg swinging and your right leg bending. Learning to sweep drop with either leg will give you more options when you are breakdancing.

9. Turn up the music and practice making your moves with the beat of the music.

10. Ask a friend to video you after you have practiced so you can see how well you are performing the sweep drop. You will be encouraged by how much better you are and you will notice some improvements you can make in your sweep drop.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you practice the sweep drop until you can do it effortlessly. A smooth drop sets up a great downrock position.
• The first steps in the sweep drop happen quickly, within a couple of seconds.
• Practice the sweep drop slowly at first to get the hang of it.
• Practice to number of different songs with beats at different speeds. You will not always get to pick the songs you dance to so you need to be ready for anything.
• Don't start practicing with the opposite leg until you can confidently perform the sweep drop with your primary leg.
• Don't give up on the sweep drop. It is hard to learn but is very impressive when you throw this drop down during a song.