It’s more than a battle. It’s not just a competition. And it’s certainly not about the money. For the Registered Student Organization “Floor Lovers Illinois,” or FLI, breakdancing is a form of self-expression. But more importantly, it’s freedom.

FLI will have a chance to experience this freedom during the ninth annual “IL Breaks” competition on Saturday at the Illini Union. The competition, which consists of a series of battles, is sponsored by the RSO, along with the Illini Union, and is funded by the Student Organization Resource Fee. It will feature four-member breakdance crews from across the nation who will compete to receive a grand prize of $1000. Once the doors open at 1 p.m., the event, or “jam,” as it’s known in the breakdancing community, is open to all and free for University students. 

Before the dancers go into battle, three professionals from the industry — Toyz, Bravemonk and Paranoid Android, who will serve as judges for the competition, will also lead their own dance workshops throughout the day. Even for those with no prior dance experience, FLI members encourage them to participate and feel the energy of a jam. 

Joe Peng, vice president of FLI and senior in LAS, said he expects the breakdancers, sometimes known as “bboys” or “bgirls,” to eventually break out into “cyphers,” which are circles where dancers freestyle in the middle. 

“The dance serves as a medium, which connects your soul to the music,” Peng said. “When you are on the floor and in the cyphers, you are baring your souls for the rest of the bboys and bgirls to see and judge.”

The group said that entering a cypher is similar to preparing for war. At any moment, another dancer will step into the cypher and present a challenge, causing the bboy or bgirl inside to bring out their best moves, including toprocks, freezes and power moves. This war-like mentality became a part of the dance form when breakdancing was popularized in the Bronx, N.Y., as an alternative activity to gang violence. However, even in the heat of combat, the group said they never forget the one thing that unites them all: their love of dance. 

“I think it represents America very well,” said Winston Feng, president of FLI and junior in ACES. “It’s a melting pot of cultures.” 

It’s the backgrounds, cultures and personalities of the breakdancers that culminate to create their unique styles. The only rule in the world of breakdancing is that there are no rules, which leaves room for a lot of creativity. The battles are almost entirely freestyle, but the judges do pay attention to technicality, execution, originality and other elements of style, said Nathan Hsieh, senior in Media and media relations chair for FLI. 

“When you’re good and you know you’re good, it’s getting out there and just being able to crush,” Hsieh said. 

After multiple elimination rounds, one winner will leave the Union with the prize. But for Hsieh and his crew, that’s not what really matters, as the experience of any jam is equally as thrilling. 

“At the end of the day, we just look forward to Friday at 5 p.m. (practice),” Hsieh said. “It’s what I live for in college.” 

Alice can be reached at [email protected].