How to Jerk

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Jerkin' is a style of hip hop dance originally popularized in the late 2000s. It started in Los Angeles high schools and quickly spread globally through viral Internet videos. The main thing that defines jerkin' as a dance are its bouncy, loose, "jerky" movements. Dancers put a heavy emphasis on spontaneity, but there are still some basic moves you can learn and incorporate into your routines. [1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Doing the Reject

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  1. Keep your thighs close together and your torso relaxed. [2]
    • A big part of this move is appearing to fall backward. Try to look like you're leaning backwards while actually keeping your center of gravity in your hips.
    • The reject is considered the standard jerkin' move. A major aspect of jerkin' is to display as much frenetic energy as possible. Your legs should never stop moving. Instead, do the reject while getting into the groove and figuring out what moves to do next.
  2. When your left foot is flat on the ground, your right foot should be in the air, toes up. Make it look like you're running backwards without moving from your spot.
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  3. Slide your left foot forward with your toes in the air. Keep repeating with each foot. Go as quickly as you can to make it look like you are running backwards in place.
    • Do whatever you want with your arms. Some dancers keep theirs up or swinging in opposite time with their legs. [3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Doing the Alternative Reject

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  1. Your right leg and upper body should be straight. While hopping, bend your left leg at the knee so that your left calf is perpendicular to the rest of your body. Your left leg's toes should be pointing down.
    • This version of the reject is more high energy and requires better balance than the first version. While jerkin', you can switch it up between the two to add some variety to your dance.
  2. Your left foot should now be on the ground behind you and your right leg in front with toes pointing up. Then jump forward with your left foot directly under your body and bring your right foot back. Now your right foot's toes should be facing the ground.
  3. Do these moves fast enough and it should look like you're skipping backwards. Just keep hopping the pattern:
    • Right foot on the ground, left leg bent back with toes down.
    • Left foot back on the ground, right foot forward in the air with toes up.
    • Left foot forward on the ground, right leg bent back with toes down.
    • Right foot back on the ground, left foot forward in the air with toes up. [4]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Perfecting the Pin Drop

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  1. Your legs should look like a number 4.
    • This is a move that requires a lot of flexibility and strength. Do not attempt the pin drop if you are new to dance or are prone to ankle sprains.
    • Many jerk dancers do multiple pin drops in quick succession between periods of doing the reject. The more pin drops you do at once, the more difficult it becomes to right yourself as you get dizzier. A dance with a lot of quick pin drops in a row is very impressive.
  2. Control your fall so you don't go too fast. Remember that your aim is to appear to fall while actually lowering yourself to the ground with your leg muscles. Getting this step right takes a lot of practice.
  3. You should land mainly on your right foot with your left knee in front of it. Timing your fall so that your foot lands flat will keep you from bruising your knee. Feel free to use your hands for balance. [5]
  4. Use your right foot to push yourself. Twist a little and corkscrew clockwise as you stand. You can follow this move by mirroring it, starting out on the opposite leg. [6]
    Nelson George, Hip Hop Journalist and Cultural Critic

    While the roots of jerk were in Los Angeles, the dance style soon spread across the country, gaining popularity through YouTube dance crews and mainstream hip hop songs.

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  • Question
    What is jerky dancing called?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There are a few different dances that involve jerky movements. This article covers jerkin’, but other dances involving jerky movements include popping, krumping, and the robot.
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  • Question
    When was the dance “the jerk” popular?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    An older dance called the jerk was popular in the 1960s. The form of jerkin’ covered by this article is much more recent, and was initially popularized around 2009.
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  • Question
    What is turf dancing?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Turf dancing is a type of improvisational street dance originating from Black communities in Oakland, California. It includes elements such as popping, locking, gliding, and boogaloo. Turfing is often used as a form of visual storytelling.
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      • Jerkin' is associated with a certain kind of fashion style. Many dancers wear skinny jeans, neon graphic T-shirts, and skateboard or hightop shoes. [7] [8]
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      • The reject is considered the default move for jerkin'. Do the reject while you're figuring out the beat or planning what to do next.
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      • If you attempt to jerk while wearing baggy pants, there's a good chance you'll trip. For this dance, baggy clothing is a handicap.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/14/entertainment/ca-jerkin14
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcFOM1BUdgA
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcFOM1BUdgA
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyepJRVfJEc
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naz_DsOCeIY
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcFOM1BUdgA
      7. ↑ https://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/11/image/la-ig-jerking-20100411
      8. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/fashion/22jerking.html?_r=0

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to learn the style of hip hop dance known as jerkin', you will need to learn standard jerkin' moves, like the reject. To do the reject, stand with your right foot behind your left foot and pretend to lean back, then jump backwards onto your left foot and simultaneously slide your right foot forward. Keep repeating this action with each foot, speeding it up until it looks like you are running backwards in place. Alternatively, if you want to do the perfect pin drop, stand on your left leg with your right foot crossed behind your left knee. Then, bend your left knee and quickly lower yourself towards your left side, so it looks like you are falling. After you reach the ground, use your right foot to push yourself back up. For more advice, including how to do an alternate reject, read on!

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