TECHNIQUES AND STYLES OF pOPPING

There are a number of dance styles and techniques that are commonly mixed with popping to enhance the dancer's performance and create a more varied show, many of which are seldom seen outside of popping contexts. That is why these moves can be considered a part of popping when using it as an umbrella term.

Animation

A style and a technique where you imitate film characters being animated by stop motion. The technique consists of moving rigidly and jerky by tensing muscles and using techniques similar to strobing and the robot to make it appear as if the dancer has been animated frame by frame. This style was heavily inspired by the dynamation films created by Ray Harryhausen, such as The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958).^[10]

Video example (YouTube)

Electric Boogaloo

A loose and fluid style trying to give the impression of a body lacking bones; partly inspired by animated movies and cartoons. It utilizes circular rolls of various body parts, such as the hips, knees and head, as well as isolation and sectioning, like separating the rib cage from the hip. It was developed in 1976 by Boogaloo Sam.^[5] The electric boogaloo is the signature style of the Electric Boogaloos (the dance crew).^[1]

Main article: Electric boogaloo

Bopping

A style of popping in which the chest is isolated by being pushed out and brought back while flexing the chest muscles. As this movement is performed to the beat the popper can incorporate different moves in between the chest bop. When practiced the chest bop can be done at a double-time interval adding a unique effect to the move.

Cobra

Similar to a Boogaloo, except you roll your chest like a snake.^[11]

Crazy legs

A leg-oriented style focusing on fast moving legs, knee rolls and twisting feet. Developed in 1980-81 by Popin' Pete, originally inspired by the fast and agitated style of breakdance by the famous b-boy Crazy Legs from Rock Steady Crew.^[5]

Dime stopping

A technique of moving at a steady pace and then abruptly coming to a halt, as if attempting to stop on a dime. This is often combined with a pop at the beginning and/or end of the movement.

Fast forward

The concept of moving faster than normal, like being part of a video being played in fast forward.

Floating, gliding and sliding

A set of footwork-oriented techniques that attempt to create the illusion that the dancer's body is floating smoothly across the floor, or that the legs are walking while the dancer travels in unexpected directions. Encompasses moves such as the moonwalk (sliding).

Main article: Floating (dance)

Fresno

A move, which defines all that is essential in Popping (also used in electric boogaloo). The Fresno can be performed in various different ways as only the following requirements exist. In a fresno, the dancer moves side-to-side doing a hit on each turn with the leg and arm of the side the dancer has moved to.

Liquid dancing

An illusionary dance style that focuses on flowing and continuous liquid-like motions, with concentration on the fingers, hands and arms. It is stylistically connected to – and often mixed with – waving. Liquid dancing is common in rave culture, and some dancers consider it a complete style of its own.

Main article: Liquid dancing

Miming

Performing techniques of traditional miming to the beat of a song. Most commonly practiced are various movements with the hands as if one could hold onto air and pull their body in any possibly direction. Miming can also be used to allow a popper to tell a story through his or her dance. This style is often used in battles to show the opponent how they can defeat them.

Old Man

Inspired by watching an old man who had one of his leg deformed and had walking difficulty, Off that, Boogaloo Sam saw inspiration and worked with that move.

Puppet

A style imitating a puppet or marionette tied to strings.^[5] Normally performed alone or with a partner acting as the puppet master pulling the strings.

Robot/botting

A style imitating a robot or mannequin.

Main article: Robot (dance)

Scarecrow

A style imitating the scarecrow character of The Wizard of Oz. Created by Boogaloo Sam in 1977.^[5] Focuses on out-stretched arms and rigid poses contrasted with loose hands and legs.

Slow motion

Moving very slowly with exaggerated movements to make it appear as if the dancer is viewed in slow motion.

Strobing

A style of popping that gives the impression that the dancer is moving within a strobe light. To produce this effect, a dancer will take any ordinary movement (such as waving hello to someone) in conjunction with quick, short stop-and-go movements to make a strobing motion. Mastering strobing requires perfect timing and distance between each movement.

Main article: Strobing (dance)

Ticking 

A way of popping where the dancer pops at smaller intervals, generally twice as fast as normal.^[5]

Toyman 

Based on action figures such as G.I. Joe and Major Matt Mason, developed by an old member of the Electric Boogaloos called Toyman Skeet.^[5] Goes between straight arms and right angles to simulate limited joint movement.

Tutting/King Tut

Inspired by the art of Ancient Egypt, tutting exploits the body's ability to create geometric positions and movements, predominantly with the use of right angles.

Main article: Tutting

Tutting example (YouTube)

Twist o flex

Moving only one body part at a time, which gives the impression that the body is twisting.

Vibrating

Tensing muscles very hard, causing them to shake or vibrate.

Walk-out

A move commonly used to change positions.

Waving

Waving is composed of a series of fluid movements that give the appearance that a wave is traveling through the dancer's body. It is often mixed with liquid dancing.