Locking originated in the 1960s and was invented by the Lockers team led by Don Cambell. This is the earliest street dance. The rapid rotation and pointing of the wrist and arm, the sudden freeze of the action, accompanied by various techniques such as clapping, jumping and splitting are its main characteristics.

Locking (originally named Campbellocking) is a dance style in funk dance and hip-hop, and it is also related to the current hip-hop. Lock dance relies on quick and obvious arm and hand movements, and the hips and legs are relaxed. These sports are usually large and exaggerated, often with a strong sense of rhythm and close connection with music.

Lock dance is quite performance-oriented. It often interacts with the audience by smiling or high-fiving, and some actions are quite funny in nature.

Rock dance was originally danced with traditional funk music, such as james brown, the father of soul music. Funk music is still widely favored by lock dancers, and funk music is also used in many lock dance competitions, such as France's lock knockout Juste Debout.