Power vs Groove: Rethinking Execution in Street Dance

At a recent street dance competition I was chatting with judge Natasha Gooden, and we ended up having one of those conversations I just knew I needed to share with you. A lot of what she said really made me think differently about execution in this style of dance, and I reckon some teachers will find it super useful – maybe even a bit surprising if you’re more used to teaching other styles where “full out”, “clean”, and “hard-hitting” are the main priorities.

So here’s a mix of my own thoughts, along with Natasha’s, on why pushing kids to dance full out isn’t always the best route in street competitions – and how to bring more groove, texture, and authenticity into your teaching.

Why “full out” all the time isn’t always the answer

As teachers, it’s easy to fall into the habit of pushing dancers to go 100% all the time – sharp, powerful, hitting every count with maximum energy. Basically: the bigger the better, more is more. Dancers barely stop for air because they’re too busy attacking.

And in some contexts, like commercial work or backing an artist, that’s exactly what’s needed. Clean lines, strong shapes, and big execution look impressive and definitely have their place in training.

But in a street dance competition setting, that one-dimensional approach can take away from the essence of the style. Street isn’t about looking perfect on every count – it’s about vibe, groove, and letting the music move you.

What we often see on the floor

• Same texture throughout – everything’s “attacked” the same way instead of exploring smooth, bouncy, or heavy qualities.
• Lack of groove – the natural bounce, rock, or flow gets pushed aside for tricks or “big” moves.
• Forgetting intent – street dance grew from exchange and expression. If it looks robotic or forced, the style gets lost.

How teachers can help dancers improve their execution

Here are some ideas you can try in class:

Teach textures, not just steps
Take a simple move (like a two-step or basic bounce) and get dancers to try it in loads of ways – soft, heavy, elastic, smooth. It helps them see that a move doesn’t just live in one texture.

Groove drills
Put aside time just to groove. Play music at different tempos and feels, and encourage dancers to “sit” in the beat without worrying about choreography. Groove is the backbone of this style – it should sit under everything else.

“Pass it on” game
Get dancers in pairs or small groups to throw moves at each other as a fun game or exercise. Street Dance is rooted in sharing, and this kind of exchange naturally builds execution that’s more about connection than performance.

Play with musicality
Encourage them not to always hit the downbeat – try the off-beats, lyrics, pauses. Changing how they listen to music instantly changes how they dance.

Talk about the culture
Give dancers the “why” behind the style. Street Dance came from parties, battles, and community – not stage routines built to impress judges. That context makes a huge difference to how they perform. You could even look at videos of Street Dance pioneers in class to show where it all began.

Balance your feedback
When giving notes, don’t just praise power and sharpness. Point out when a dancer shows control, groove, or slows down to match the music – so they know those things matter too.

Judge’s Top Tips: Natasha Gooden on Execution

Natasha had loads to say on this topic, and these points really stood out:

• Don’t forget the fun – execution isn’t only about accuracy. Street should feel playful and alive, not stiff or over-rehearsed.
• Feeling comes first – the vibe and groove matter more than clean placements.
• Tell the story – too many dancers ignore the lyrics. Using them in freestyle or choreography shows you’re truly listening, not just hitting counts.
• Authenticity over perfection – smiling is nice, but don’t be afraid of the “ugly” faces or raw expressions that show how the music makes you feel. 

The bigger picture

Good execution is about understanding the style, the music, and the culture. As teachers, we set the tone. If we talk regularly about groove, texture, and authenticity – and share insights like Natasha’s with our students – we’ll see dancers who don’t just hit the beat, but really live inside it and most of all have fun, whilst doing it!