Breaking

Breaking (also called b-boying or b-girling) is an urban dance style which originated during the mid-1970s in the Bronx borough of New York City. The earliest innovators of Breaking were African-American and Puerto Rican youths. During the ensuing 50 years, Breaking has progressed from its Bronx roots into an internationally-recognized cultural art form, with elements of urban dance intertwined with extraordinary athleticism.

Breaking has evolved into a global cultural art form with many elements of sport, given its athletic nature. This naturally led to the 2016 decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to add Breaking to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, its historic debut at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and its continued presence on the Olympic stage at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

The Language of the Streets: Decoding Breaking

Behind every high-speed spin, intricate footwork pattern, and gravity-defying freeze lies a highly structured and codified language. From its 1970s Bronx origins to the global Olympic stage, understanding Breaking’s core vocabulary is essential to following elite competition.

Explore our feature, The Language of the Streets, to discover the four movement foundations, Toprock, Footwork, Power Moves, and Freezes, along with the Battle formats and judging criteria shaping modern B-Boys and B-Girls.

Read the full Breaking Terminology article.