From street dancing to medals: how did hip-hop become a sporting discipline?

From street dancing to medals: how did hip-hop turn into a sports discipline?

Experts told us what the secret of its popularity is.

What associations do you have with hip-hop? Most people will surely answer that it is rhythmic music based on recitative and informal youth dance in over-size clothes. Meanwhile, hip-hop since 2001 – an official sport discipline with large-scale tournaments, a clearly defined system of training and refereeing.

Vice-President of the Fitness Aerobics Federation of Russia (FFAR)

“A hip-hopper may well become a master of sports, receive prize money at prestigious competitions, and then make a career as a coach. And if you or your child swoons with delight when watching videos of hip-hop teams performing, it may be worth taking a closer look at this sport.”

What’s the secret to hip-hop’s popularity?

It all started in the 60-70s of last century in the U.S.: at parties, and then just on the streets appeared performers of music and dance in a new unusual style. Emotional performances quickly hit the movie screen and fell in love with young people on all continents. Until now, hip-hop has not given up its position, the style is so popular that it regularly appears in rated TV shows, is part of the program of dance studios and fitness clubs. For many, hip-hop is first of all an exciting rhythm, freedom, improvisation and energy of life.

How did hip-hop become a sport?

Traditionally, hip-hopers compete by participating in battles – amateur pair performances, the winner of which is determined by informal voting. However, the competitive spirit among dancers was so strong that they became cramped within the framework of dance culture. Today hip-hop is one of the official disciplines of fitness aerobics, the development of which is engaged in the Federation of Fitness Aerobics of Russia (FFAR), registered in 1991 and represented in 65 regions. In 1999 FFAR became a member of the International Federation of Sports, Aerobics and Fitness (FISAF International), which unites 69 countries. Competitions in hip-hop are held at all major All-Russian tournaments organized by FFAR, and from September 2024 hip-hop according to FFAR methodology will be able to engage in general education schools in physical education classes as part of the sports module of fitness aerobics.

Today the All-Russian register of sports includes two hip-hop disciplines: hip-hop and hip-hop large group. However, three more disciplines are already being tested at FFAR tournaments: hip-hop duet, hip-hop small group and hip-hop battle.

Sports hip-hop in figures and facts:

• online broadcasting of hip-hop competitions on the official platform of the Russian Fitness Aerobics Federation on VKontakte gathers an average of 25,000 viewers;
• the strongest domestic schools of hip-hop sports have been established in Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Penza and St. Petersburg;
• the Russian Book of Records registered the most mass performance of hip-hop: 858 young dancers performed simultaneously in Moscow’s Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Center.

What advantages do athletes have?

Like any discipline, sports hip-hop is a well-thought-out training methodology, participation in training camps, multi-stage selection for competitions, which covers the whole country, and judging based on clearly defined regulations. The athletes are evaluated by certified judges, and if they meet the standards and successfully perform at official tournaments, hip-hoppers receive discharges and ranks. As a result, a talented athlete from any region can eventually join the Russian national team and represent the country at international competitions.

How to choose a coach?

A competent mentor for hip-hop should receive a basic sports and pedagogical education, his own experience of performances in this discipline, since the classical school of hip-hop is significantly different from the techniques of choreography. A professional coach is certified by the Fitness Aerobics Federation of Russia and regularly undergoes additional training. Classes in a school, sports club or section, where an experienced mentor teaches, are held according to a clear plan, which the coach is ready to provide at the beginning of the school year. A professional always pays due attention to safety issues. In particular, before the start of intensive training will require from parents a certificate of health of the child and will send his charges for additional medical examination on the eve of tournaments. If you or your children are interested in developing in the field of sports hip-hop, it is important to find the right mentor.

When and where to start?

President of the FFAR regional branch in the Irkutsk region, coach

“Hip-hop classes are best to start with general physical training. From the age of five or six, children can practice in the preparatory group: to improve flexibility and stretching, to perform the simplest movements to music. Classic hip-hop technique a child will be able to master not earlier than seven years old, before this age is not yet sufficiently developed coordination and not formed muscular system. If you have entrusted your child to a professional, try not to interfere in the work of the coach. It is better to do hip-hop yourself, we have many examples when parents create their own teams. The Fitness Aerobics Federation regularly holds competitions in the “Seniors” category for athletes over 35 years old. Most of the participants are moms and dads of young hip-hoppers.”

Sports hip-hop trends:

• Creativity. Each eminent hip-hop coach has his own style, and the team – its own set of techniques, original creative finds decorate the performance of masters;
• unexpected tricks. Hip-hop is becoming increasingly spectacular and dynamic, star teams necessarily include in the program spectacular, unpredictable tricks, such as somersaults, flicks, eryal (aerial), webster, bending lift (kick up), all sorts of multi-level jumps;
• “Russification”. Russian hip-hop today differs from Western standards, our coaches, for example, refuse the unisex style: boys and girls remain themselves and show individuality in sports.