Technical Skills

Candidates will dance a selection of technical moves provided by RSL that are designed to be achievable during a class warm up or technical workshop over a number of weeks.

The technical moves and combination are demonstrated as a group but each candidate must be visible to the examiner at all times.

A maximum of eight candidates can be assessed at any one time. Candidates may be arranged into even smaller groups where necessary, e.g. where there are different chosen styles within the same exam group.

Candidates will demonstrate each technical move:

• one move at a time (candidates will be required to repeat the move requested by the examiner until the music track is stopped)

• as a combination

Candidates may perform the technical moves in the same combination but this is not a requirement.

The teacher should select a music track/s appropriate to the chosen style.

A video demonstrating all the technical moves can be found in the supporting videos section of this page.

As candidates progress through the grades, the range of styles, complexity and technical demand required for this element of the examination is increased. More details about the Technical Skills demonstration can be found in the content description for each grade.

Props and costumes are not permitted. An audience is not permitted.

• Level 1 (Grade 1,2 and 3)
  The teacher/candidate must choose one style of Street Dance (Locking, House or Breaking) and candidates must demonstrate all the technical moves from the chosen style
  to the examiner.
• Level 2 & 3 (Grade 4 to 8)
  The teacher/candidate must choose one style of Street Dance (Locking, House, Breaking or Popping) and candidates must demonstrate all the technical moves from the chosen styles to the examiner.

Please note: Candidates in the same examination group may demonstrate different styles of Street Dance to the examiner.

Technical Skills – Freestyle (Level 2&3 only)

The Freestyle section of the examination gives candidates from Grades 4–8 only the opportunity to demonstrate their technical ability, musicality, creativity and individual style without restrictions.

Candidates will be required to interpret the given music through any Street Dance style and moves of the candidate’s choice for the duration specified per grade.

Candidates may include the technical moves provided for the Technical Skills Demonstration in their freestyle if they wish but this is not a requirement. However, the freestyle must not wholly consist of technical steps that have been provided by RSL.

At Grade 4 and 5 Candidates will:

• stand in a semicircle
• enter the dance space in pairs
• dance at the same time, facing the examiner

At Grade 6, 7 and 8 Candidates will:

• stand in two crews facing each other
• enter the dance space in pairs (one candidate from each crew)
• dance one at a time, facing each other

The music will be provided by the examiner. To view the list of example music tracks that may be chosen by the examiner, please download the “Music for Freestyle” guidance below.

As candidates progress through the grades, this becomes a Freestyle battle in which candidates will be expected to engage and respond to another dancer in an opposing crew of dancers.

Props and costumes are not permitted.
An audience is not permitted.