Freestyle dance is dancing to music without a choreographed routine. Thus the dance steps are not planned prior to getting out on the dance floor. There is no choreography of the moves and the dancer basically thinks on their feet. Freestyle dance can actually exist in all dance forms and this is where the term freestyle comes into play. You are basically free to do as you please. The dancer is free to make up the routine as they go. But take into account that if you are dancing a waltz to a 4/4 beat you would not normally freestyle dance using tango dance steps.
Freestyle represents freedom, freedom to explore dance steps and moves, yet is usually means that you will dance a particular style in lieu of the music you are listening to. Thus a hip hop dancer would incorporate the use of some hip hop moves while a ballroom dancer would do the same while dancing to the music of Swan Lake.
Hip hop and funk dancing are often deemed as freestyle dancing and this is where confusion often comes into play. This assumption is inaccurate as most hip hop dances are actually choreographed, more so when performed in groups. More often than not hip hop is performed at concerts and much detail is placed into the choreography of each dance. Britney Spears for instance only hires dancers whose moved are well choreographed. This is classified as uniform, unity dancing and allows the performer to dance with their backup dancers.
Hip hop and most other dance styles become freestyle when one dances in a less formal setting. High school dances are deemed freestyle dances. This is one place where freestyle is extremely popular. It allows students to take turns in showcasing their hip hop moves, without pre determining what their moves shall be. Numerous street dancers dance freestyle and the their audience often join in, basically doing their own thing. While some moves are choreographed. Most street dancing is spur of the moment stuff. Therefore they simply go with the flow, but may include a few well rehearsed or choreographed moves they deem as their signature dance steps.
Freestyle ballroom dancing incorporates use of a medley of steps which focus on part learned choreography as well as basic ballroom steps. But with ballroom freestyle you must lead or follow your partner’s basic step pattern. Therefore dancers need good communication skills to carry ballroom freestyle dancing off well. The wrong moves can totally destroy the dance.
Freestyle dancing began in the 1970’s when self expression was welcomed with open arms. Back then it was imply a case of moving and grooving to the music as you wished. This actually replaced most partner dancing, thus women and men alike did not need a partner in order to dance. But the ability to dance freestyle well relies heavily on a person’s ability to dance. ( Their sense of rhythm and knowledge of a few good up to date dance steps.)