IBE Toprock & Footwork Battle 2026 – Qualifiers

The Notorious IBE is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, nederlandse Dansdagen and IBE are jointly organising the IBE Toprock & Footwork Battle. During the day, breakers can qualify for the final, which takes place later that evening, through the qualifiers.

Toprock and footworktake centrestage
Breaking consists of four key elements: toprock, footwork, powermoves and freezes. During this battle, toprock and footwork takecentrestage – two elements that form the basis of the dance for many breakers.

The participants will first compete individually against one another in rounds for top rock and footwork. Those who progress must ultimately combine both disciplines in the decisive battle. The competition is organised in collaboration with members of the Heerlen-based breaking crew HFC.

The basis of breaking
Footwork, also known as downrock, takes place on the floor. The dancer supports themselves on their hands and moves their legs and hips in rhythmic patterns. Speed, control, creativity and fluid transitions play an important role in this.

Toprock is danced standing up and often marks the start of a breaking routine. Through footwork, arm movements and their own personal style, the dancer responds to the music and initiates the transition to floorwork.