Popping & Locking

Introduction & Assessment

You are about to discover one of the coolest styles in dance history. Popping and locking came out of California in the 1970s and spread around the world through music videos and street performances. Start by watching free YouTube tutorials from channels like "Mihran Kirakosian" or "How to Dance" to see what the moves look like. Try searching "popping tutorial for beginners" and just watch — don't worry about doing anything yet. Notice how dancers isolate different parts of their body, making movements look robotic or electric. Utah has a growing street dance scene, so check out events at Kingsbury Hall or local dance jams in Salt Lake City. Write down three moves that look interesting to you. You're ready for the next step when you can name the difference between popping and locking and point to one move you want to learn first.

Foundation Building

Before you hit the fancy moves, you need to build your foundation. Popping starts with the "hit" — a quick flex and release of your muscles to create that sharp, punchy look. Practice flexing your chest, arms, and legs separately. Locking uses big, exaggerated poses held for a beat. Search YouTube for "how to pop your chest" and "locking freeze tutorial" to find free breakdowns. The app "Steezy Studio" offers free beginner lessons you can try on any device. Practice in front of a mirror so you can see what your body is doing. Set a timer for 10 minutes each day and just work on hitting one muscle group at a time. You're ready for the next step when you can do three clean chest pops and hold one locking freeze for a full two counts of music.

Skill Development

Now you get to start stringing moves together. Learn the "wrist roll," the "fresno" (a basic locking step), and the "wave" this week. Each of these connects naturally to build your first short combination. Use the free YouTube channel "Boogie Beginners" or search "fresno locking tutorial" to find clear, step-by-step instruction. Practice to a slow song first — something around 80–90 BPM works well. Once you feel the move at slow speed, try it faster. Salt Lake City's Glendale neighborhood hosts informal dance meetups where you can watch others and pick up tricks just by being there. Film yourself on your phone so you can compare your moves to what you see in tutorials. You're ready for the next step when you can perform the wrist roll, fresno, and a body wave back-to-back without stopping.

Practice & Refinement

You have the moves — now you make them look good. Good popping and locking is all about timing, so this week you focus on hitting your moves exactly on the beat. Pick two songs you love and practice your combination to each one. Ask a friend to watch and tell you when your hits feel sharp versus soft. Use the free app "Metronome Beats" to slow the tempo down and practice clean timing before speeding back up. Try your routine in different locations — your bedroom, a park, or even outside the Gateway mall in downtown Salt Lake. Changing environments forces your body to adapt and makes you a more confident performer. You're ready for the next step when you can perform your combination cleanly to two different songs and keep your hits on the beat at least 80% of the time.

Challenge Mode

You are ready to go deeper into the culture and technique. Research the originators of popping and locking — Boogaloo Sam created popping, and Don Campbell invented locking. Watch their original footage on YouTube for free. Now challenge yourself to learn a more advanced move: the "robot," the "tutting" (angular hand and arm shapes), or the "strobe." Pick one and spend the week drilling it. Try attending a local cipher (a casual circle where dancers take turns) — watch for listings at The Complex or Urban Arts Gallery in Salt Lake City. Start building a 30-second freestyle routine that uses at least four different techniques. You're ready for the next step when you can freestyle for 30 seconds using at least four distinct popping or locking techniques without repeating the same move twice in a row.

Mastery Demonstration

It is time to share what you have learned. Record a short video of your best 45–60 second performance and watch it back critically. Look for moments where your isolation is sharp, your timing is on beat, and your personality comes through. Post it to a dance community online — search for "Utah street dance" groups on Facebook or Instagram and share there. If you feel brave, go to a local open mic or dance jam and jump into a cipher. You can also teach one beginner move to a friend or younger student — teaching is one of the best ways to deepen your own understanding. Check out the SLC Dance Collective for community events. You're ready for the next step when you can perform a complete 45-second routine for a live or recorded audience and explain what popping and locking means to you in your own words.