Breaking

Includes: Break dancing, dancing Indoors, Outdoors, Sport

Age:
7+
Sport
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Breaking – the Olympics’ newest recognised sport, and one of the most fun yet! Ready to pop, lock and roll?

Overview

Breaking is a style of street dance, characterised by acrobatic moves and complex footwork. Participants, also known as B-boys and B-girls, face off in circles or battles and compete by showing off their best moves. 

Breaking can be done anywhere and no previous experience is needed. Just make sure you have plenty of space around you to move freely, and take care when practising new moves.

Breaking was first featured at the Summer Youth Olympics in Argentina in 2018. It will now be making its debut at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. 

Accessibility

What you need: what equipment is required & adaptions to the activity that can make it more cost effective 

  • Breaking doesn’t require any equipment, but to capture the energy of the sport, you may wish to bring speakers or a device for playing music. 
  • Breaking is typically performed to hip hop or funk music, but you can encourage girls to pick whatever music they would like to perform to. 
  • You may wish to look at instructions or videos of basic breaking moves for girls to learn. You can find some examples of move on the BreakingGB website. 

Ways to make activity suitable for each section 

  • While breaking at competitive level is often quite acrobatic, the spirit of the sport is in breakers expressing their own style. Encourage young members to explore their individual way of moving, dancing and expressing their movement, regardless of the steps themselves.  
  • The DJ plays a key role in the sport of breaking, switching up the rhythm and the tempo as the breakers dance. If any young members aren't feeling confident to perform, they could be the DJ instead. 
  • Girls can come up with routines and perform in pairs or groups if they don't wish to break on their own. 

Adaptations to make the activity more accessible for girls with disabilities 

  • Members only need to explore moves they're comfortable or willing to perform. There’s no requirement to learn any particular moves, and members can adapt what they learn suited to their abilities.

Planning checklist

  • Complete a risk assessment for the activity.  
  • If outside, check the weather forecast on the day and if needed postpone or move indoors.  
  • Check the girls have appropriate footwear for the activity (e.g. flat, comfortable, closed toe shoes).

  • The external provider may come to the unit or you may meet them at their venue.  
  • Check the guidance for having an external visitor at your unit. 
  • Check with the provider that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group. 
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the provider, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose. 
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged. 

  • Check that you have the correct forms and ratios in place for this activity. If you can complete this activity at your usual meeting place make sure you have enough space for girls to run and move around in.  
  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.  
  • Tell your local commissioner. 
  • Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity. 
  • Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable). 
  • Get copies of the instructor qualifications (if applicable) and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book. 
  • Ask for a copy of the providers or venue's safety guidelines and risk assessment.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents and/or carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form.

Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.  

 

No formal qualification needed.

The area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the activity clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the activity must stop when needed. 

If this activity takes place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team adult to girl ratio is mandatory.  

  • Rainbows 1:5 (minimum of 2 adults)  
  • Brownies 1:8  
  • Guides 1:12  
  • Rangers: N/A