Hip Hop Basics: A Beginner’s Guide for Beginners in Clacton & Colchester
Hip Hop Basics: A Beginner’s Guide
Learning the first steps in hip hop - fun, simple moves that help kids build confidence from day one.
If you’re a parent looking for hip hop dance classes in Clacton or Colchester, you might be wondering what the basics actually look like. At The Dance Spot, we specialise in teaching kids, teens, and adults the foundations of real hip hop dance — the simple moves that give confidence from the very first class.
Hip hop is one of the best activities for children and adults alike. It combines fitness, creativity, and fun in a way that keeps dancers engaged week after week. The energetic movements get the heart pumping (a brilliant form of exercise for kids who struggle with sports), and the freedom to express yourself makes it perfect for building confidence.
The Hip Hop Bounce – The First Step Everyone Learns
If you learn one move to get started, it’s the bounce. This is the heartbeat of hip hop.
How to do it:
Bend your knees gently.
Push your sternum and chest slightly in as your knees dip.
Keep it soft and bouncy, in time with the beat.
Try it with a hip hop track!
That’s it, you’ve got the hip hop bounce. It might sound simple, but it’s the base of almost every hip hop dance move your child will learn in class.
The Rock – Finding Rhythm Through Groove
The next foundation is the rock step, also called “the rock.”
How to do it:
Shift your body weight from side to side.
Relax your shoulders so your upper body moves naturally.
Once you’re comfortable, add arms or play with shapes (think of clean squares and straight lines).
This is where dancers begin to discover their style. Kids love it because once they get the bounce or rock, they can instantly start freestyling.
From Steps to Freestyle
Put some music on, find the beat, and add the bounce or rock. Then start mixing in your own arms or angles. Before long, you’ll be freestyling hip hop, no choreography required.
This is the approach we use at The Dance Spot in more detail: we don’t just teach routines, we give students the tools to dance freely and confidently. That’s what makes us different from many local “street dance” schools.
Every class is hands-on. Our students get moving straight away and build confidence from day one.
Recommended Resources for Parents and Dancers
If you’d like to dive deeper into the history and moves, check out the Hip Hop Dance Dictionary by Buddha Stretch:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW6EvvkYNPg&list=PLBoM9tC5K3OUqhgsSiRA0JNQBPpaX7ztW
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zDYz0THYkQ&list=PLBoM9tC5K3OUqhgsSiRA0JNQBPpaX7ztW&index=2
This one is also a brilliant bonus with 100 hip hop grooves to try! Warning they’re mostly beginner friendly, but not all, so don’t worry about getting all of them! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRDa_0NO2U4&t=127s
These videos show how much depth there is in authentic hip hop — something we’re proud to bring to our dance schools in Essex.
Why Parents Choose The Dance Spot
We often hear feedback like:
“The lessons are fun and the teachers have so much time for you whether you’re a novice or experienced. Definitely worth checking out whatever your age.”
That’s exactly our aim — whether it’s your child’s first dance class or you’re an adult beginner, we make sure everyone feels welcome.
At The Dance Spot, we run:
Kids’ hip hop classes in Clacton (beginner friendly)
Teens’ street dance sessions in Clacton
Adult hip hop classes in Colchester and Clacton
Special freestyle and acro sessions for kids who want to push themselves further
Our classes focus on real hip hop foundations — bounce, rock, groove, and freestyle — taught in a supportive environment.
Get Started Today
If you’re searching for:
“Hip hop classes for kids in Clacton”
“Street dance lessons in Colchester”
“Beginner hip hop dance near me”
— then The Dance Spot is the place to start.
We offer beginner-friendly classes for all ages, and your first step is easy: just come along, try it out, and see how much fun dance can be.
👉 Book a trial class at The Dance Spot today — Clacton or Colchester locations available.
