Locking is a style of funk dance and street dance. The movements are generally large and exaggerated, and often very rhythmic and tightly synched with the music. Locking is quite performance oriented, often interacting with the audience by smiling or giving them a high five, and some moves are quite comical in nature.
History of Locking
In the later 1960's a man named Don Campbell couldn't do the Funky Chicken. He could never get the steps right ,and it looked as if he were doing another type of dance. The unfamiliar moves of Campbell soon became popular as Don added them into his performances. The resulting dance was called Campbellocking, which was later shortened to Locking. In the early 1970s this set off a movement of Locking dance groups. The most notable was when Campbell formed the dance group The Lockers and set the foundation for locking dance and clothes style.Locking Moves
Locking may be done in solo or in Unison with two or more dancers doing steps or handshakes together. A locker may smile while performing to emphasize the comical nature of the dance. Other important features is waving of arms, pointing, walking stationary and grabbing and rotating the cap or hat.Don Campbell was the originator of the original freezes, which were called locks in the 70s. He incorporated his unique rhythm and added gestures such as points and handclaps, other dancers also adapted this style while adding some of the steps and moves listed below:- Box split
- A semi-split done with one leg bent, which enables the dancer to get up again in one swift movement.
- Whichaway
- Altering kicks to the sides with right and left legs, upper body stationary with arms in front as if holding reins .
- Rock-steady
- Stepping forward, the hip of your front foot is thrusted towards the front foot, brought back, dipped forward towards the front foot as you take a step with your back foot (sometimes used to get across the dance floor with some funk in your step)
- Knee Drop
- Drop to the knees with knees pointing inwards (into a W shape leg position).
- Leo Walk
- A funky two step where the first is an exaggerated step in a particular direction, followed by sliding of the second foot along the floor to meet the first
- Lock
- Bending slightly forward with arms forming a circle downward, as if lifting a heavy object.
- Scooby doo
- Taking a stationary forward step, then making a Lock
- Scooby walk
- Walking forward, stopping and bending knees outward with each step
- Scootbot or scoobop
- Skipping while making the motion of an exaggerated step to the left or right.
- The Skeeter Rabbit
- a kick and shiffle hop move
- Stop-and-go
- Taking a step back and to the left/right, then forward again.
- Uncle Sam points
- A quick, extended pointing gesture, usually held for a few seconds for emphasis
- Wrist roll or Twirl
- Twirling wrists while moving arms up and down in pace.