1990 (breakdancing move)

The 1990 is a breakdancing move which resembles a rapidly-spinning handstand. It is a type of spin in practice, but many consider it a power move because it is so flashy and is often begun with significant momentum like other power moves.

Step-by-step

The description assumes clockwise rotation.

From a standing position, the right leg is lifted across the left. The body is thrown down to the right, onto the right hand, as if doing a cartwheel. The left hand comes down close behind and the left leg kicks upward. The breaker kicks up into a handstand, but kicks also with the right leg, causing the body to spin. The breaker pushes off with the right hand and snaps the legs together upon reaching the apex. This should accelerate the spin. Once the spin has started, the right hand lifted away and the breaker is left spinning rapidly on the left hand.

Tips

• Once the 1990 is mastered, some actually find it easier to maintain the handstand while spinning, but in the learning stages it is essential to master the stationary handstand first.
• Spins will be faster and longer-lasting if the fingers are kept clear of the ground, ideally balancing on the pisiform bone of the hand. This lessens fricton with the ground.

Variants

The standard 1990 is performed as a pure one-handed handstand. However, one variation includes alternating between right to left hands in a regular rhythm to continue spinning and maintaining balance. Far from looking weaker, breakers can make this move look very powerful and aggressive as they "stomp" the ground and accelerate their spins. View 1990 Animation

2000

The 2000 is the most well-known variant of its predecessor, the 1990. It is relatively easier in terms of strength than the 1990 because two hands are stronger than one, but it can be harder to maintain balance than in the stomping 1990 because the body should spin along a perfectly vertical axis. To perform the 2000, once the spin has begun, the nonspinning hand is lifted and placed directly on top of the spinning hand. The rotations appear much more symmetrical than 1990s. To spin very long, try to keep your legs wide open and close them as you spin. This causes a dramatic reduction in rotational inertia, causing rapid angular acceleration (due to the conservation of angular momentum). This technique is also used to a stylistic flare to 1990's or 2000s.

Deadman 90's

Similar to the 1990, however there is no alternating between hands before the spin. The bboy spins on the same hand he initially places onto the ground, making the deadman 90 harder to balance. Also, since the rotation is in the opposite direction to the 1990 on the same hand it involves spinning on a different area of the palm. Many recommend spinning on the central area of the palm, requiring the use of a glove or a flat surface placed over the palm.

See also

BBoyZone.com Breakdance Community - Breakdancing move guides, including guides for 1990's/2000's.
List of breakdance moves
Five 1990 clips The fifth clip demonstrates excellent hand position.
One 2000 clip

nl:1990 (breakdance)