The crip walk, or c-walk, is a dance that derives from Southern California gang culture. The crip walk has evolved from pointed gang expression and is now a platform for improvisational hip-hop dance. Crip walking contains elements of the heel-toe dance, which you should master as precursory crip-walk training. Learning the crip walk requires focus on very quick foot movements and dedication to mastering its two primary components, the v-step and the shuffle.
The V-Step
Start with both feet placed flat on the ground comfortably. They should be a little less than shoulder-width apart. Lift the ball of your left foot, known as the toe. Keep your left heel planted on the ground. Invert this orientation for the right foot. Lift your right heel, keeping your right toe planted. Pivot your feet so that they create a 90-degree angle, or a v-shape. Both feet should be pointed 45 degrees outside, or away from the center of your body.
Invert this plant by lifting your right foot and rotating your left foot to 45 degrees inside. Place your left toe on the ground and lift your left heel, copying your right foot's initial orientation. Place your right foot down heel-first. Keep your right toe elevated and pointed 45 degrees inside as well. At this point, you have completed a single v-step
Feel free to invert the initial orientation of your v-step to whichever starting position is more comfortable. You may v-step in any direction as desired.
The Shuffle
Shuffling is a simpler component of crip walking than v-stepping. Start your shuffle by standing on both toes. Jump and align both feet so that they are in a straight line pointing forward upon landing. Start with your left foot in front of the right foot. Jump again and alternate the position of your feet in the alignment. At this point you will have completed a single shuffle step.
Feel free to invert the initial orientation of your shuffle step to your most comfortable starting position. You may shuffle in any direction as desired.
Combine the Steps
Interchange your v-step and shuffle as desired throughout your routine or improvised dance. Rely on your own creativity to determine the order of v-steps and shuffle motions. For example, try v-stepping using only one foot from time to time. Turn your body in any direction you wish as you execute your v-steps and shuffle.
Earlier incarnations of the crip walk use the v-step as movement to spell out names of people and locations. This is not necessary, but feel free to attempt v-stepping your favorite words or phrases. Doing so may require small hop-steps so that you can orient yourself in a desired direction.
Crip Walk Practice Tips
Watch more experienced crip walkers. Study some of the videos on youtube.com. Memorizing and emulating aspects of their routines will make you a better crip walker.
Practice your crip walk often in private before attempting the dance in public. Crip walking requires a mastery of balance and quick foot movement that can be difficult for a beginner to execute cleanly.
