How to Do the Smurf Hip Hop Dance Move

Introduction

The Smurf, also known as "Doing the Smurf," is a fun and simple hip hop dance move that became a craze in the 80s and 90s. It gets its name from the resemblance of the arm movements to the little blue Smurf characters from the Belgian comic and cartoon series. Despite its playful name, the Smurf is a legitimate hip hop dance move that requires coordination and rhythm.

Video Demonstration

Dance History of The Smurf

The Smurf dance move is believed to have evolved from an earlier 1960s dance called "The Frug," which was featured in an episode of "The Andy Griffith Show." The Frug involved similar bouncing and arm movements but was considered quite provocative at the time.

In the 1980s, the dance resurfaced in a variation that became known as "The Smurf" due to its popularity coinciding with the Smurfs cartoon series.

Step By Step Instruction

Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent.
Bounce up and down on the balls of your feet, keeping your knees bent.
As you bounce, swing one arm out in a circular motion, keeping it straight.
On the next bounce, swing the other arm out in a circular motion.
Continue alternating the arm swings in time with the bouncing motion.

Tips For Learning The Smurf

Keep your arms straight and swing them out from the shoulders.
Bend your knees deeply on each bounce for maximum bounce height.
Practice the arm and leg movements separately at first, then put them together.
Listen to the beat of hip hop music to help you stay on rhythm.

Conclusion

The Smurf is a classic hip hop dance move that has stood the test of time. Its simple yet energetic movements make it a fun addition to any dance routine or party. While it may have a whimsical name, the Smurf requires coordination and groove to pull off correctly.

More Hip Hop Dance Moves

If you liked the Smurf, these moves share the same alternating circular arm swing pattern and steady bounce-based rhythm:

5 Easy Steps To Learn The Cabbage Patch Dance — the Cabbage Patch uses the same circular arm-swing structure as the Smurf but swings both arms outward simultaneously instead of alternating, making both moves easy to combine.
How to Do the Roger Rabbit Hip Hop Dance Move — the Roger Rabbit is a fellow cartoon-named move from the same era with a similar loose, bouncy stance and alternating arm expression.
4 Key Tips to Mastering The Bart Simpson — the Bart Simpson rounds out the cartoon-named trio with the Smurf, sharing the same retro playfulness and arm-driven character performance.
How to Learn the Steve Martin Dance Move — the Steve Martin is an 80s party move like the Smurf with a consistent alternating bounce, and flows naturally as a combo partner in any golden-era freestyle.