How to Hardcore Dance

Last Updated: February 25, 2023

Hardcore dancing is a very genuine practice and is taken quite seriously at most shows, both local and otherwise. If you plan on getting into Hardcore dancing you should learn to also take it seriously, or at least pretend as though you do. This will help make you seem more "hXc", and less like an amateur. Once you've got that concept set, then you're ready to start throwing down.

Steps

1
Wait for the pit to break open. If you want to help open the crowd up then find some people around you who are into dancing and tell them you want to hardcore dance. Everyone should gather in a group and when the music starts begin pushing people out of the way by walking backwards with your arms extended. This is the more polite way to do it, and there are many other ways such as running as fast as you can at the people around you and jumping toward them.^{[1]
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2
Listen to the music and go with the flow. Someone around you is going to know what they are doing, so just watch and see what everyone else is doing. Don't try to rip off peoples moves though, as this could get you tackled for being a rook. Just try to make sure you're not doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.^{[2]
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3
Two-stepping during fast paced breakdowns is a good idea. This move is performed by taking your right leg and swinging it in front of your left, and then respectively pulling your left leg out from behind your right and throwing it in front(2 steps vary from city to city). If you're doing it right (and many beginners don't), you will have a running in place like effect going for you. You should try to move your arms to the beat as well, maybe by grabbing the air near your feet. Since hardcore dancing is done at hardcore shows making a gangsta limp hand or other similar things is not recommended seeing as most of the people there will not like rap or hip-hop.^{[3]
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4
Throw down when the music gets heavier and starts to sound very brutal. Swing your arms around with a closed fist back and forth in front of your body, perhaps balancing yourself on one foot and switching now and then or planting your feet and bending your knees. It helps add to the effect if you appear as though you have no absolutely no concern for the well-being or safety of anyone around you. This is usually referred to as "the windmill".^{[4]
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5
Throw in some spin kicks if there's room, or maybe try something that's unique. As long as it goes with the flow of the music and is particularly violent in nature, it may be accepted in the circle. You can also try some other trademark moves like "picking up the change", which is performed by standing with your feet shoulder length apart and brutally punching downwards at the ground. This can also be performed instead by punching the sky or air that is directly in front of you.^{[5]
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6
If the song seems to stop abruptly but the band still looks ready to go, then you're in for a breakdown any second. Put your fist up in the air and start walking across the circle, and throw it down just as the music starts again, then proceed with step 4. Sometimes this sudden pause is the queue for a Wall of Death. That is where the crowd parts into two sides and slams into each other like in the movie Braveheart (this move is also called such). If you are in the circle, and the crowd appears to be shifting, move to one side or you will be trampled unless you join the fray.

Warnings

If you are a wimp or are unable to take a beating, hardcore dancing at shows may not be for you. In some cases, they can get dangerous. Be prepared to get physically active, and try to have alert senses.

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It's not unlikely that you'll come out of the pit with a broken nose or a bloody lip.

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Some people will pull you out of the pit if you're hurt or help you up if you fall, but others may not take any notice. If you get kicked while you're down, the worst thing you can do is make a scene. That is a good way to get kicked out or even arrested.

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If you are absolutely clueless, don't try it. You're likely to get hit or worse yet, tackled. Many metalcore kids think that shows are a popularity contest, or a ritual to attract mates, and take it very very seriously.

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Don't do childish tasteless moves like a chicken dance or a pelvis thrust type of thing, you and your friends might think it's funny but hardcore people will NOT think its funny and you might get a windmill kick in the face. BE SERIOUS!

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If you care more about your hair than having a good time. Don't Go Hardcore Dancing.

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Your scene is dead. Hardcore dancing isn't about expressing yourself and how much you enjoy the music anymore. Its about showing off and maintaining your hardcore image. Be warned that if you are used to shows with chugga-chugga breakdown metalcore bands, you will find yourself out of place at shows with fast, energetic hardcore punk bands.

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If you prefer to push mosh and more people want to hardcore dance, it's not unlikely you'll be thrown out.

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Some shows might be filled with people who prefer push-moshing over hardcore dancing, and they will break into the pit and try to tear it up. If more people want to push mosh, let them.

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Show etiquette differs from scene to scene. hardcore kids(as in hardcore punk) tend to be more aggressive, often times crowd-killing (jumping on, pushing, or even physically attacking members of the crowd). Metalcore/deathcore dancers are also very energetic, but less likely to be violent.

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