Mastering the Scarecrow: A Funky Popping Dance Move

Introduction

The Scarecrow is a captivating and distinctive move in the world of funk-style dancing, particularly within the popping genre. This unique dance technique draws inspiration from the iconic character in "The Wizard of Oz," mimicking the loose, puppet-like movements of a scarecrow. The Scarecrow move is characterized by its use of isolated movements, angular poses, and the illusion of being controlled by invisible strings. Dancers who master this technique can create a mesmerizing visual effect, combining rigidity and fluidity in a way that captivates audiences and fellow dancers alike.

Video Demonstration

Dance History

The Scarecrow move is believed to have been pioneered by Boogaloo Sam, a legendary figure in the popping dance community, in 1977. As one of the key moves in popping dance, the Scarecrow technique evolved alongside other foundational elements of the style. Popping itself gained widespread popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, with groups like the Electric Boogaloos showcasing these innovative moves on national television shows such as Soul Train. The Scarecrow, with its distinctive puppet-like movements, quickly became a staple in the popping repertoire, allowing dancers to showcase their creativity and control.

Step By Step Instruction

Start in a neutral standing position.
Imagine strings attached to your joints (elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles).
Begin by "popping" or quickly contracting your muscles to create a jerky movement.
Move your arms in angular, disjointed motions as if controlled by the imaginary strings.
Incorporate sudden stops and starts in your movements to enhance the puppet-like effect.
Alternate between rigid poses and loose, floppy motions to mimic a scarecrow's structure.
Use your legs to create uneven, wobbly steps or sudden knee bends.
Combine these elements with other popping techniques like isolation and hitting for a more complex routine.

Tips For Learning

Practice isolating different body parts to improve control and precision.
Study the movements of actual scarecrows or puppets for inspiration.
Incorporate "hitting" techniques to emphasize the popping aspect of the move.
Use a mirror to refine your angles and overall visual effect.
Start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the technique.
Experiment with different rhythms and music to find your unique Scarecrow style.

Conclusion

The Scarecrow is a fundamental move in funk-style dancing that showcases a dancer's control, creativity, and understanding of popping techniques. By mastering this move, dancers can add a visually striking and technically impressive element to their repertoire. Whether performed in battles, cyphers, or choreographed routines, the Scarecrow continues to be a beloved and respected technique in the world of street dance, paying homage to the rich history and innovation of popping.

More Funk Style Dance Moves

If you liked the Scarecrow, these moves share the same puppet-like character work and popping-driven body isolation:

Mastering the Puppet: A Funky Dance Move That Pulls Your Strings — The Puppet is the Scarecrow's direct thematic counterpart — both simulate being controlled by strings, but the Puppet emphasizes theatrical performance while the Scarecrow stays closer to raw popping technique.
Mastering Popping: The Fundamental Move of Funk Style Dancing — Boogaloo Sam, who pioneered the Scarecrow, built it on the pop — every jerky angular movement in the Scarecrow is powered by a contraction, so a clean pop is the prerequisite.
Mastering the Toyman: A Funky Twist on Popping Dance — Toyman and Scarecrow are both old-school character moves from the Electric Boogaloos era — they're often performed together because they share the same mechanical-object concept and rely on identical isolation techniques.
Mastering the Art of Ticking: A Funk Style Dance Move That Will Make You Pop — The sharp "hitting" technique the Scarecrow uses to emphasize its angular poses is the same as ticking's clock-like snaps — combining the two makes your Scarecrow poses land with more impact.