Practice Techniques!

[Switch Step]

I thought it would be cool for us to share techniques for practicing and what methods we use to improve certain aspects of our dancing. This can be anything like drills, daily routines, or mental training. I'll add some of my own stuff in a bit, I'm at work right now, so I can't be on too long.

Hope to hear some replies because I feel this can be nothing but good info.

[MikeyP]

Shockalock gave me a practice sheet a while ago that basically told me exactly what ot do every day i practiced.

i'll put it up one of these days, i just have to find it again.

although it bears mention that practicing in your studio and room isn't enough. You need to train your body and mind as well. Example, i'm doing deshying practices now. More info on that later.

[Switch Step]

Probably the most common question I get when people see me is "How do you hit so hard?", and I wish I could say some super secret technique but really it took a lot of hard work and practice to make it natural. So, I'll breakdown some ways I practice hitting.

The first method I learned from Mr. Wiggles awhile back when he posted it on his website.

Start off by tensing your muscles and keeping them tense for a full 8 counts. After doing that a number of times, reduce it too holding it for a full 4 counts. Then move on to holding it for 2 counts. Then finally just hit continuously on beat.

I always feel my hits are cleaner after doing this because it helps with muscle control so you can hopefully relax much quicker after each hit to make the next one just as effective.

Also, make sure if you do this drill to do it in different positions as well. That way the hit will be effective in no matter what position its in.

I usually break it down this way:

4 repsX8 count
8 repsX4 count
12 repsX2 count
Then I'd hit every beat for about 30 seconds.

When I would train hard for something I would do a lot more, but lately have been lazy about it haha. More to come..

[Switch Step]

Hitting Practice Method #2

Okay, this next way is more of an endurance builder and builds up some power as well, because it's always hard to be dancing and your muscles get too worn out from hitting too much already so nothing comes out.

This requires a timer if you have one, for it to be really effective. I just use a basic ring timer that's primarily used for boxers when they train and stuff, was only like $10.

Now what I do is set a certain amount of rounds. Usually just 3, but that should be more then enough. Each round is 2-3 minutes, depending on how much I wanna torture myself that day. haha. and in between each round there is 30 seconds or 60 seconds of doing something else in between.

So here's an example:

Round 1- Dancing and hitting on every 2 and 4 beat, which is basically just the clap.

Inbetween rounds-Push-ups

Round 2- Hitting every beat this time.

Inbetween round- Ab work

Round 3- 1st half would be ticking then the second half is just double pops and hopefully I'd last through it!

That's just a little example but that formula can work with a lot of things, not just hitting. I've done that type of routine doing a different style each round, or just working on something specific each round. Hopefully this helps a bit if some of you are lost as ways to practice.

Let me know if you have any questions on it. Thanks!

edit: Forgot to add! Remember to warmup and stretch before and after! Make sure those muscles don't tighten up on you! Also can help reduce soreness if any.

[The2euceofSpades]

Though I do not command a substantial amount of clout or respect...I'd like to add my 2 cents.

"Practice makes perfect" -everybody I've ever met

When I first began locking, I would usually just practice through an entire song, lasting anywhere from 3-7 minutes of straight up locking. Back when I really tried to copy Hilty and Bosch, I would rarely stop, and would more or less continusouly keep moving until the song ended. This would build my endurance and the muscles in my shoulders. I would be very tired, and sweat profusely.

Though this practice method has developed the speed and endurance that is neccesary to execute a fast and precise locking style, this kind of practicing did not develop the sharp and emphasized poses of locks, points or other moves. It would just be a continuous blur of locking moves, constantly throwing vocabulary at the camera.

Today, as a more experience locker, I would say that the most important thing to practice is your lock, point, pace and wrist roll. These basic building blocks must be solid in order to move onto more difficult and intricate combinations, atleast in my experience. To drill these things, my method goes:

Turn on a song
Uplock on beat 1, Lock on beat 2
Continue until you're tired, but hit as hard as you can every single time

...hahahaha...

I usually tape myself also to ensure the consistency of my movements. I find that the camera, or a mirror, are very helpful, but make sure you do not rely on a mirror for your dancing, as this can be very crippling to your creativity. But in general, go 100% and totally waste yourself. Everytime you practice and go 100%, you will continue to get stronger and stronger, until you are able to dance through songs that last up to 10 minutes sometimes. But dont forget to pose and hit very hard, and everytime you point or lock, hit it with everything you possibly can. This makes hitting easier and easier, kind of like running with weights. Training heavily on the basics and exerting lots of energy in certain places will make it easier and easier everytime you hit it. I would always hit my locks and points with 100% of my energy, and now, I can throw those moves around more comfortably and use less energy. This kind of practicing will make your body more efficient and will allow you to administer your energy as needed, while not wasting anything excessive.

Give it everything you got, and you will slowly find easier ways to do things. Understand it takes a long time, and I'm not master, but this is the way I used to practice, from locks, to applejacks, and half splits. Commit to everything and never half ass moves, because it will not contribute to your strength, energy, personality, endurance or precision. I still practice this way today, though I choose to emphasize different things during my practice. Sometimes its just the lock, or sometimes I only practice my Whichaway. Regardless, I give every move 100% of my commitment, energy and focus. Throughout my struggles of being tired, I found easier ways to execute certain moves and combinations, and in the process, was able to save energy, and in some cases, look better. It is all a learning process. Developing endurance and speed is a very good thing, but controlling it is a different story. Practice hard, give everything you possibly have, and you will be on your way to becoming a strong and grounded dancer...though I have yet to become these two things myself. Good luck!

-Kan

[SantaCruzIce]

Pumped on this thread. I'm always researching and learning about strength and cardio training info and I wanted to learn how to train for dance too. Props to everyone droppin' knowledge, I'm gonna' learn mad ish from all you foos. Thank you much.

[Larry Pink]

for popping, i would run a drill to help me build vocabulary.

for one song, i would just concentrate on simple angles and doubles - but kept my positions closer to my body (covering a smaller area)

for song two, i would concentrate on broader angles, and keep my popping to a medium area (arms out, but bent, bent knees, etc)

for the third song, i would go all out and try to make every hit position as large as possible (wide area)

if i have anymore gusto left (which i usually dont - being the fattest ds player and all) i would use any further songs to work STRICTLY on floor space and covering ground. and then levels after that. groundwork after that. and if i get through all of that, THEN i work on character

[Switch Step]

Haha, cool stuff guys! There's some interesting ideas here I'd like to try out for myself.

[The2euceofSpades]

hey guys, ive jsut started doing Boogaloo, or trying to practice it, and i had a question concerning hitting.

when you "pop", do you guys flex your stomach as well? And while popping your legs, whats the best way to do that to avoid injury? Ive heard things abut flexing your butt muscles to get your legs to pop, but wondering if you also flex your calves and quads as well? im just experimenting with the allocation of my energy in different areas to see what is effective (i practiced much the same way while i was locking.)

Anyway, I gotta say how pleased I am to see this thread slowly starting to fill up with more stuff. Good ****...it reminds me of how much i still need to brush up on the technical aspects of my dancing. Much love, and respect. See you guys on the dance floor!

[Switch Step]

Hey man, good questions. I'll answer from my perspective as there are really many different ways to hit and do the technique. As far as flexing your stomach, I do it and it really comes in handy for me when I want to look more stiff/robotic/animated because when you contract your core muscles it helps add to the dimestoppin effect if you ask me.

As far as the legs go, I only flex the quads really, but that's from a stationary position where both legs are on the ground. If elevated then I try to flex the hamstring, quad and calf, that one's a bit harder for me since when you lift the leg it's already flexed a little bit.

One thing to remember is there are different types of hits so just keep playin with it until you get the technique you're most comfortable with. As long as it's not jerking your body to try to get that hit effect and it's through muscle control it should be fine. Also remember when popping your legs to not concentrate on snapping the knee back.. That can cause some problems especially if overdone.

Well, hope that helps.

[Funky Robotnick]

wow, you guys have some crazy practice routines. Can't say that I've ever done anything that methodical...

I guess we all have our methods of what works for us. As a creative person, I've found that when inspiration hits, you just have to go with it. When Im trying to commit a new move to memory, I practice any and everywhere. Seriously, stretching fingers and practicing waves/digits on bart, hitting cobras on my walk home. I used to have this habit where whenever I'd be cooking I had the music on. That eventually became practice time, hittin and poppin while Im waiting for boiling water. Haha seriously, I did that one for years.

2euce- Hitting your abs can help a lot for certain types of hits- especially chest hits. When hitting your chest out (for chest hits you can go different ways, hitting outward/ up and hitting inward/ in) flexing your abs will help a lot to give you that powerful affect.

Also, to agree with what Switch Step said, there are lots of different types of hits. Whats more, they all help the others out. Different techniques are good for different kinds of hits, but ultimately the more variations you practice and do the better and more powerful the individual hits will look.

[The2euceofSpades]

thanks guys. that was helpful, ill keep developing my hits and hopefully i will be on the right track. Hopefully in the future ill also begin to understand what you guys mean about versatility and the technique of "popping." Incredible stuff guys.

Ey Nick. I hit when i cook too...hahahaha! I hit while im dishwashing too, my coworkers think im weird....hahahahaha

[Funky Robotnick]

Haha nice. I swear it makes the food taste better too.

I wonder if anyone else has stories of practicing in public... haha you all know you've been caught before.

[pringles]

i'll do a lot of chest/forearm hits on the road. i'll just pick a song and try to hit it the whole way through (without like, swerving, haha). planet rock's a fun one.

i'm sure hella people are guilty of this. :D

also, simple 'n effective workout plan from a jackie chan doc i was watching. i love the martial art parallel here:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7296/picture1lz3.png

[Shyguy]

I really like kan's stuff on giving 100% in everything you do. To add to it, I believe that mental training is just as important as the physical training. I've got that quote from batman begins, among others, hanging on my wall so I see them as I train. It's the one where they say "Training is nothing, will is everything...the will to act."

I definitely believe that training will increase your technique and vocabulary, but if you have no determination, no will to grow and improve, it will show in your dance. Even if you go through many drills and a set schedule, regardless of how rigorous, I've found in the middle of a battle or competition, that when skill is equal, the one's with more heart are the ones that come out on top.

So yes, build skill, techniques, musicality, and all that good stuff because that's what will build you into a good dancer and have a good foundation. But to me, heart is the one thing you don't need to build or work out to master, and everyone has it, you just gotta use it.

To me at least, growing in dance is synonymous with growing as a person. Not just growing in terms of skill, but opening your mind more to everything. I find inspiration in many things: cheesy/inspirational movies, being around other inspired people, sunny days, hype music, a good story, philosophy, etc. Whatever works for you, go find it!

I also find that I train best if I first prepare my mind before I do what I gotta do. I know I kind of threw out my thoughts a bit sporadically but I'm just typing out my ideas as they pop into my head. hehe.

[SantaCruzIce]

Real talk dude, that's awesome. Thanks for sharing the wisdom. Anytime you wanna drop more knowledge on us, please do.

[Switch Step]

Mental preparation is always a very important factor in every aspect of life. Good stuff John.

As for my own experience, before I start to practice, I tell myself that it is going to be very productive and that I will push myself a bit farther then I have before. It also helps to set goals because I feel that helps push a little more too and keeps you more focused.

It was already discussed by kan and others but things like planning to dance through a whole song is something to that degree as well. Even when you're too tired to move anymore you'll keep pushing yourself because the song isn't over and then when it's over, I know for me at least, I'll feel a good sense of accomplishment because I pushed myself a little bit further that day.

Another thing to remember is to always think of things in a positive, constructive manner. Negativity can hinder progress if its in excess. You should come out of each practice/session, thinking "that was pretty good, I improved in this (area of my dance)."

Just some food for thought. I know it's definitely helped me a lot once I changed my perspective.

[itsdho]

And while popping your legs, whats the best way to do that to avoid injury? Ive heard things abut flexing your butt muscles to get your legs to pop, but wondering if you also flex your calves and quads as well?

I'm a relative newbie, but here's the way I've been thinking about the leg hit:

Standing with your feet about shoulder width apart, start by fractionally "sitting down". (So, you'll be bent ever-so-slightly at the hip and knee.)
From that position, use your leg muscles to "bounce" up on the beat -- like you’re explosively "standing up" a fraction. (Sort of like "jumping", but without leaving the ground.) Your whole body should bounce upward on the beat. Don't worry if it's sloppy at this point; just think about what muscles you're using.
Now do the same thing (that explosive "standing up a fraction" motion), but without moving your upper body. Now it's like, your hips will be thrusting forward.
Now do the same thing, but hit with one leg instead of both legs. (You can lean to one side to shift your weight over to the leg you're hitting with.) Now the motion is just a sharp contraction of your quad, hamstring, and the muscles in your butt. And that’s the leg hit! (At least, I think so?)

Your knee will travel backwards to some extent, but you're imagining the motion more as an "upward" contraction of your muscles, instead of "snapping your knee back".
After I practice this way for a while, I usually feel it in my lower quad and upper hamstring, but not around my knee, which is hopefully a good sign. :)

Anyway, this is the way I've been teaching the leg hit to the kids over here. What do y'all think? Does this way make sense?

[SantaCruzIce]

This is a really cool thread and i want to bring it back to make sure it doesn't get forgotten about. Any new practice/training techniques for any style of dance? Or, how have people progressed from certain types of training? What did and didn't work? I'm super grateful for all the knowledge because my interest in learning popping is growing. In dsp I focus on locking but on my own time Im going to start to implement these popping tips I'm reading about in order to embark on yet another dance journey.

[Switch Step]

I found the best way to hit with your legs is the same as poppin with the arms. Contract! And really, the only muscle I contract in the legs are my quads. I've never thought about the other muscles because everything can pretty much come from there. Plus, since it's not the snap the knee back method you shouldn't have to worry about hyper extending or anything like that. Hope that helps.