Building the Future of Breaking: WDSF Advances Global Education Through Three Breaking Training Guides and Educational Programmes
The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) continues to strengthen the global development of Breaking through the implementation of its Three Breaking Training Guides, a comprehensive educational framework designed to support the discipline from grassroots introduction to elite international performance.
Developed in line with WDSF’s commitment to education, transparency and long-term athlete pathways, these guides provide structured, accessible and culturally respectful resources for communities, athletes, coaches and officials worldwide. They reflect Breaking’s dual identity as a cultural movement and a recognised sport within the Olympic Movement.
Following Breaking’s inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, its confirmed participation in the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, and with the landscape of World Breaking DanceSport Festival, the importance of shared standards, education and sustainable development pathways has never been greater. The Three Breaking Training Guides respond directly to this need.
A Three-Level Educational Framework
Together, the guides form a progressive educational ecosystem addressing different stages of participation and performance.
1. Introduction & Promotion Guide
For: Everyone – all levels, including beginners and participants with no prior experience
This guide serves as the entry point to Breaking, supporting safe, inclusive and informed introduction within schools, clubs and communities. It focuses on understanding Breaking’s cultural roots, values and role within modern sport.
Key areas include:
- What Breaking is and why it should be promoted
- The four foundational Hip Hop elements
- Cultural significance and health benefits
- Overview of Breaking within the Olympic framework
- Key terminology and definitions
- Practical guidance on introducing Breaking from zero
- Safety principles and best practices
The Introduction and Promotion Guide ensures that Breaking is developed responsibly, with respect for its origins and its participants.
2. Training Fundamentals & Competition Guide
For: Practitioners and competitors in studios and training environments
Aimed at active B-boys, B-girls and competitive athletes, this guide provides structured tools to support consistent training, performance development and informed competition preparation.
Key topics include:
- Detailed breakdown of Breaking fundamentals
- Skill-based weekly training frameworks
- Physical conditioning and injury prevention
- Competition formats and tournament structures
- Comprehensive judging criteria analysis (five criteria):
- Vocabulary
- Technique
- Execution
- Originality
- Musicality
- Battle strategy and mental preparation
- Video analysis for performance improvement
- Nutrition and recovery principles
This guide promotes clarity, fairness and transparency by helping athletes and coaches understand how performance is evaluated in competition environments.
3. Elite Athlete & Professional Competition Guide
For: Professional athletes and high-level competitors
Designed for those operating at the highest international level, this guide offers in-depth insight into governance, judging systems and professional career pathways within Breaking.
Key areas include:
- Global governance structures (WDSF, ISF, IOC)
- Professional career pathways and opportunities
- Comprehensive judging systems:
- Level A System (Olympic standard – five criteria)
- Level B System (two criteria)
- Comparative voting explained with practical examples
- Major international competitions, including World Championships and Olympic events
- World ranking systems and qualification pathways
- Advanced competition strategy
- Athlete conduct and sportsmanship standards
- Elite training periodisation
- Judge psychology and scoring analysis
- Future professional opportunities within the sport
This guide reflects Breaking’s alignment with the Olympic framework and provides elite athletes with a clear understanding of international standards and expectations.
Practical Implementation: January 2026 Educational Programme
As part of the ongoing rollout of the Three Breaking Training Guides, WDSF will deliver an intensive two-day educational programme on 19 and 20 January 2026, structured across all three levels. The programme is designed to be adaptable to different venues and local contexts.
19 January 2026 – Level 1: Introduction & Promotion
Objective: To open the programme by focusing on culture, foundations and community promotion.
- Welcome and programme overview
- History, cultural context and basic elements (toprock, footwork, introductory freezes)
- Practical group experience and guidance on promoting Breaking in schools and communities
- Introduction to battles and competition formats
- Practical group exercises and exhibitions featuring professional Australian athletes
20 January 2026 – Morning: Level 2 – Training Fundamentals & Competition
Objective: To structure training, deepen technical understanding and introduce competition preparation.
- Training structure and example weekly frameworks
- Warm-up models and intermediate-level technical development
- Practical introduction to the five judging criteria
- Mini battle simulations and applied learning
20 January 2026 – Afternoon: Level 3 – Elite Athlete & Professional Competition
Objective: To focus on official competition systems, high-performance strategy and professional pathways.
- WDSF and Olympic context, competition pathways and governance
- In-depth analysis of Level A and Level B judging systems
- Scoring mechanics, majority decisions and judge interpretation
- Battle strategy, training periodisation, ranking systems and professional conduct
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Global Growth
Through the Three Breaking Training Guides and their practical implementation, WDSF reaffirms its commitment to:
- Accessible and structured education
- Transparent and consistent competition systems
- Athlete-centred development pathways
- Respect for Breaking’s cultural identity
- Sustainable growth within the Olympic Movement
These educational initiatives will be showcased in action at the Brisbane World Breaking DanceSport Festival 2026, bringing together athletes of all ages and competitive levels in an international environment aligned with WDSF standards. As the inaugural World Breaking DanceSport Festival in Brisbane, the event reflects WDSF’s long-term vision of linking grassroots education with elite performance and global opportunity.
As WDSF President Shawn Tay states:
“Breaking has grown into a global sport while retaining its strong cultural foundations. These guides provide clarity, structure and opportunity, ensuring that everyone, from newcomers to elite athletes, can develop within a system that is fair, educational and aligned with the Olympic Movement.”
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