The chopper move, also known as the coffee grinder move, is one of the most basic of breakdancing moves. Once you've mastered this move, you can use it to transition to more complex moves, such as flares, windmills, or handstands. To perform the helicopter move, you must propel yourself on one leg and swing the other "floating" leg, also known as the "helicopter propeller," to circle your body as often as possible. You just need a little upper body strength and tricks. If you want to know how to do helicopter moves, see Step 1 to get started.
Step
Step 1. Squat down
Do this while placing your fingertips, or even the palms of your hands, on the floor in front of your body. You can squat with your feet in the same position on the floor, resting on your toes. You can also use this position to get used to the position of your hands and feet, and to maintain balance. You can lean forward slightly until your palms touch the floor, then jump back up until you're back on your feet. Repeat this movement a few times until you feel more balanced before you start swinging one of your legs.
It can also help you determine which leg you want to use as the "helicopter propeller." Decide which leg you will swing around the body, and which leg will make you feel more comfortable when squatting on the ground using it
Step 2. Extend the leg that you will use as the "helicopter propeller
" Straighten your legs to the sides of your body. Your toes can be bent and pointed up or down, toward the floor. Maintain balance in both hands as you do this. Usually, if you are right-handed, then your right foot will rotate counterclockwise. If you are left-handed, then your left foot will rotate clockwise.
However, you may find it more comfortable to squat by resting on your dominant leg and swinging the other leg. You'll know which method works better for you once you've tried this move a few times
Step 3. Raise your arm on the same side as your "helicopter blade" leg as you swing it over that hand
For example, you use your left foot. If this is the case, swing your leg clockwise toward your right leg. As you do this, you will raise your left arm and hand so that your leg can pass through them. A trick you can use to keep your balance while lifting one arm while swinging your leg over the arm is to place as much weight on your hands as possible, leaning your chest over your hands, while keeping your hips in a high position. This will help maintain body strength and coordination as you lift one hand and then the other.
Step 4. Place the raised hand back on the floor and raise the other hand as your "helicopter blade" leg swings over that hand
You have to raise your arms one at a time so that your legs can swing through them, but you also have to make sure that one hand is always on the floor. It is important to maintain balance.
At first you'll have to do this slowly, but once you get used to it, you'll be able to do it so quickly that it looks like your hands are off the floor at the same time
Step 5. Jump over the leg of your "propeller" with the other leg, as the leg of the "propeller" swings over it
You'll need to lift one arm, then the other, then the other leg so that your "helicopter blade" leg can pass through your entire body. There will be a time lag for your squatting leg to be lifted over your swinging leg, so that the foot can return to touch the floor after the swing of the other leg has passed. Keep your chest leaning forward at the level of your wrists so you can maintain balance.
Step 6. Swing your helicopter "propeller" leg until it reaches its starting position and continue swinging your leg until you can't take it anymore
As you keep doing this and repeating the same movement over and over again, keep the foot off the floor. Do this as best you can. If your feet touch the floor, you can lose balance and momentum.
Also, if your legs keep swinging without touching the floor, you'll create more momentum and add speed, making your feet really look like helicopter blades
Step 7. Keep practicing
As you develop your skills in performing helicopter moves, you'll be able to do them faster and faster, until you really master these moves and make them natural. You'll be able to follow the rhythm later and you won't have to think about when to lift each of your crouched arms and legs. Once you've mastered basic helicopter moves, here are some other tricks you can try:
- Perform a helicopter move with the other leg outstretched.
- Perform reverse helicopter moves. This movement is essentially the same as a regular helicopter, except for the fact that you will be moving your legs around your body from behind, not from the front. So, if you normally use your left leg, instead of swinging it forward and clockwise, you should move it backwards and counterclockwise.
- Make the transition to more difficult breakdancing moves. The chopper is a basic breakdancing move, but fortunately it's so versatile that you can easily combine and turn it into more advanced tricks, such as a windmill or handstand.
Tips
- Have fun. If this article didn't help you, try doing it your own way!
- If you know a friend who can do it and you're having trouble following the instructions in this article, then practice with them, so they can see what you're doing wrong.
