Kriss Kross House Dance: How to Do This Leg-Crossing Move

Introduction

The Kriss Kross, also known as the Crisscross, is a house dance move where the dancer crosses their legs in an X shape while shifting their weight from side to side. It creates a visually striking illusion of the body twisting and turning.

Video Demonstration

Dance History of The Kriss Kross

While the origins are unclear, the Kriss Kross gained widespread popularity in the underground house music scene of Chicago and New York in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Legendary house dancers like Buddha Stretch helped codify and popularize the move through performances and tutorials.

Step By Step Instruction

1. Start with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent.

2. Cross your right leg over your left, shifting your weight to the left side.

3. Quickly uncross your legs, shifting your weight to the right side and crossing your left leg over your right.

4. Continue alternating the cross and uncross motion, creating a smooth, rhythmic pattern.

Tips For Learning The Kriss Kross

• Keep your knees bent and engage your core for balance and control.

• Use arm movements to accentuate the twisting motion and add style.

• Start slowly, focusing on the weight transfer between each cross.

• Practice transitioning the Kriss Kross into other house dance moves

Conclusion

The Kriss Kross is an iconic and visually captivating house dance move that showcases footwork skills and rhythm. By mastering this foundational move, dancers can build a strong base for improvisation and self-expression in the house dance style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kriss Kross house dance move?

The Kriss Kross (also called Crisscross) is a house dance move where the dancer crosses their legs in an X shape while shifting weight from side to side. The rapid alternation between left-over-right and right-over-left creates a visually striking twisting illusion. It's one of the foundational stationary footwork patterns in house dance.

Where did the Kriss Kross dance come from?

The Kriss Kross emerged from the underground house music scene in Chicago and New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s, alongside the birth of house music itself. Its exact creator isn't documented, but legendary house dancer Buddha Stretch is credited with helping codify and popularize the move through his performances, teaching, and tutorials.

Is the Kriss Kross the same as Crisscross?

Yes, they're the same move, just different spellings. "Kriss Kross" is the more common spelling in house dance culture (a nod to the rap duo Kris Kross that was popular in the 90s), while "Crisscross" is the dictionary spelling. Both refer to the same leg-crossing footwork pattern.

How long does it take to learn the Kriss Kross?

The basic cross-uncross pattern takes 10-15 minutes to pick up. Making it look smooth (not jumpy) and matching it to music takes 30-60 minutes. Integrating it into a longer house dance sequence with arm styling takes 1-2 practice sessions. The move rewards clean, controlled weight transfer more than speed.

What's the most common Kriss Kross mistake?

Crossing too wide. The Kriss Kross needs a SMALL, controlled cross, just enough for the legs to form an X. Beginners cross too far, which kills the rhythm and makes the weight transfer awkward. Keep the crosses tight and close to center, and the move starts to look effortless.

More Hip Hop Dance Moves

If you liked the Kriss Kross, these moves share the same leg-crossing mechanics or side-to-side weight-shifting pattern:

• How to Learn the Crossroads House Dance Move, Crossroads uses the same cross-in-front and cross-behind footwork, just organized into a pivot sequence, so the two moves are closely related in muscle memory.
• How to Do the Jack In The Box House Dance Move, both are foundational in-place house dance moves from the same Chicago/NY lineage, and mastering the Jack In The Box gives you the rhythmic grounding that makes Kriss Kross feel natural.
• House Dance | Train, the Train develops the same lateral weight transfer you use in Kriss Kross but spreads it across the floor, making it a useful bridge between stationary and traveling footwork.
• How to Do the Tip Tap Toe House Dance Move, Tip Tap Toe shares the same tight, controlled footwork vocabulary and stationary rhythm focus as Kriss Kross, making them complementary moves to practice in the same session.