How to Lock It in Hip Hop Dance

Hip hop locking became popular during the early '80s. The dance craze move of locking is still very popular and demanding on the body's muscles. When you lock it in hip hop dancing, be sure that you are performing the right moves to avoid any injury and to keep your style sharp.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Extend your hands above your head with your elbows slightly bent and your palms facing out. Starting with this stand helps you transition to the next locking dance move more easily.

2. Spread your feet out widely with your knees slightly bent and your toes pointing outward at an angle. Keep your feet in alignment with your shoulders. Over extending the feet can cause slight pain on the quad muscles in your legs.

3. Bring your arms down quickly to your sides with a sharp jerking motion. As you bring your arms down, keep the elbows stationary and bring your hands down towards your knees. This is where the dance begins to look more smooth.

4. Lock each move into place as you throw your arms up and then bring them down again, in time with the beat of the music.

5. Repeat these moves with variations in locking other parts of the body. You can lock your hands, feet and even your head with the right jerking motion. The key to locking is to jerk and suddenly stop each motion for a more noticeable effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear comfortable clothing while locking. This helps make the moves easier and transitioning to other parts of the body easier as well.

Resources

• Gives the history and information on the lock hip-hop dance.
• Website of one of the pioneers of the hip-hop lock dance.
• Clothes and styles for the fashionable hip-hop lock dancer