How to do a Flare


Flare 101



These instructions will be for flarin' counter-clockwise. If you have room, 
start out with your legs together (or pretty close), then take a jump step to 
your left and land with your left leg slightly behind your right one (your legs 
are spread now). While doing this, swing your arms so that your left arm is 
extended in the air in front of you and your right arm is down behind you 
(almost like John Travolta's Stayin' Alive stance) (your body must be slightly 
twisted to do this). *Then kick your left leg low to the ground behind you, and 
just before your left leg is about to sweep out your right ankle, jump high with 
your right leg as high as possible (sounds stupid, but try to kick your face) 
(Note: I've seen some b-boys actually kick their right leg and I used to do it 
to, but it hurts after a while). 
While kickin' your left leg behind you, you should swing your arms around so 
that your left arm touches the ground (keep it pretty close to your body so that 
your body can have leverage) and your right arm is now up in the air above your 
head (Note: all your weight will now be on your left arm). Now after your left 
leg goes under your right leg, it'll be in front of you. Now, you also have to 
put your right arm down parallel to your left one (about shoulder width apart). 
Both legs are now in front of you with your weight supported on your arms. Now, 
you must lift your left arm and left leg (lift your left leg very high, almost 
kickin' the side of your head) at the same time so that you can bring your right 
leg under your left one. (Note: all your weight is now restin' on your right 
arm). Now, as both legs go behind you, you must put your left hand down so that 
all your weight is restin' on your hands (you're in a semi-handstand position 
with your legs spread behind you). 
To go around again for another rotation, just pick up your right arm so that all 
your weight is resting on your left arm, and then swing your left leg under very 
quickly with your right leg high in the air again. Repeat the instructions 
stated. 
The above method is simply used to gain momentum because the key to flarin' 
continuously is momentum (it's a plus if you have madd abdominal and upper body 
muscles), but there are different ways of gainin' momentum. 
If you have little room, you can get into a flare by standin' straight with your 
legs together. You then swing your left leg in front of your right leg and then 
swing it back out slightly behind your right one (like in the above 
instructions). While doing this swing your arms in that John Travolta position 
with your left arm extended in the air and your right arm down at your side 
(your body must be slightly twisted). Then repeat instructions from where the 
asterix is above. 
Key points: Always have your legs as straight as possible with toes pointed, and 
keep your legs spread apart. You must also torque your hips and shoulders 
properly, but that's hard to explain.