1. Protect the Wrists With a Shake Out and Stretch
Break dancers or "breakers" learn quickly just how important it is to protect their wrists while break dancing. In fact, a sprained wrist is one of the most common injuries of break dancers. It's a must to stretch and warm up the wrist area. In addition to preparing the entire body to dance, you have to shake out the hands, wrists and arms to really loosen up the joints and tendons. Work your fingers in and out and do circular rotations with your wrists in both directions. Do palm presses, hand touching hand, with the fingers spread widely apart. Put some pressure into the press to stretch out the hand all the way down into the wrist area. Keep repeating the wrist and hand stretches, alternating with shaking out the joints to prepare to break dance.
2. Wrist Supports Protect the Wrist
Wear wrist supports or supportive wrist bands any chance you get while break dancing, particularly if you're practicing. The wrist supports, while break dancing, give the extra support that's very much needed in many of the "down rock" movements of break dancing. Many of these movements put huge amounts of pressure directly on the delicate wrist area, like the handsprings and handstands. The wrist and hands are supporting the entire body in many of the stunts and movements.
3. Take It Slow and Do It Right
Take the time to learn to do the break dancing movements and stunts correctly. Learn from someone who knows how to teach break dancing, is certified to teach and understands the strain and stress that some of the movements put directly on the wrists while break dancing. Start out slowly learning a new handspring or handstand. Figure out where each part of the body is supposed to be in balance while doing the handsprings and handstands to avoid injuring the wrists. Learn the timing of the movement, before putting everything together to put the "spring" or "stand" in the stunt. Take it slow and learn to do it right.
4. Wrist Muscles Need to Pump Some Iron
When not in break dance class or practice time, develop the muscles in your forearms, wrists and hands. Stronger and more developed wrist muscles will help prevent wrist injuries while break dancing. A stronger more developed wrist can support the body much better in a handstand. Use hand weights, squeeze balls or exercise bands to work and develop the tendons and muscles of the wrists.
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