How To Breakdance: Airtrack

Airtracks are arguably the hardest possible breakdancing move, but also the most impressive. With both their arms and legs spread and their torso suspended 45 degrees in mid-air, a dancer swings their hands over their body to catch themselves and go into the next move. Airtracks are also very dangerous, and should be performed with the utmost care, preferably on a gymnastics or martial arts mat. It is highly recommended that you have mastered Flares and Windmills before attempting Airtracks.

The directions below are for counterclockwise Airtracks.

1. With your legs spread at twice your shoulder length, bend forward and twist your torso to the left. Place your left hand about a foot in front of your left knee, with the fingers facing to the left. Place your right hand shoulder's length beyond your left hand, so that your hands and left knee form a line. Turn your torso to square your shoulders with your hands, keeping your feet on the ground.
2. Kick your left leg up and behind you, leaning your weight into your stiffened arms. Once you've extended your left leg as high as you can behind you (while keeping your right leg on the ground), kick upwards with your right leg so that your shoulders, back, and groin form a 45 degree angle to the ground.
3. After kicking off, immediately swing your left leg in a counterclockwise arc outwards and downwards as hard as you can, and swing your light leg in a counterclockwise arc outwards and upwards. Imagine your legs are the legs of a turning compass. As you swing, keep your center of rotation around your 45 degree line.
# As your legs reach three o'clock and nine o'clock positions, shift your weight completely into your left arm. Now, swing your straightened right arm behind you, turning your face to the right, watching for the ground. As your torso swings away, pull your left arm off the ground and let if follow behind your right.
# Continue to let your legs swing in their counterclockwise arc, making sure you are still rotating around the same axis of movement.
# When you see the ground, immediately throw your hands towards it to catch yourself, first your right, then your left. If your initial kick gave your body enough upward momentum, you will have had enough time to catch yourself with both your arms straightened. If you didn't kick high enough, you'll probably have to catch yourself into a safe fall.
# Because your torso has a shorter turning radius than your legs, it turns faster, and will finish a full 360 degree rotation before your legs. If you've caught yourself with straightened arms, you'll notice that your legs are trailing slightly behind you. With your weight resting completely in your arms and your body still at a 45 degree angle, whip your legs into another circle, continuing into the next Airtrack.