Moshing is a closely related form of dancing characterized by its aggressive nature: the movements consist of violent contact with other dancers, swinging the arms and legs, and jumping in a staccato fashion to the beat of the music. The contact with other dancers may range from reasonably gentle yet firm shoving to aggressively throwing one's body into other dancers (except emokids, nu metal kids and posers). Moshing is typically done in a mosh pit or circle pit. Originally this was just a group of people typically directly in front of the stage who were engaged in this form of dancing. It is now more frequently an area specifically set aside for the purpose of moshing.

» Moshing videos samples

Mosh pits first appeared in 1981, if not earlier, at punk rock concerts. The dance form later spread to the heavy metal scene, where head banging and crowd surfing were incorporated. By the time of the disastrous Woodstock 1999 music festival, moshing had degenerated in some circles into what amounted to a full-scale riot. To alleviate these problems, venues that expect moshing now typically provide crowd control, including having concert rules (see Rules of Moshing below), removing problem-causing audience members, and a "T-barricade" that separates the pit into two halves as well as from the band.

Originally, there were different types of "slam dancing." One type was the slam dance itself, which is now referred to as moshing. However, there was also the "pogo", where dancers jumped up and down, as if on a pogo stick, and sometimes bumped into each other.

» Varieties

Moshing means different things within different genres of music. Moshing at hardcore punk performances is frequently different from moshing at grunge or metal performances. Typically, moshing at a hardcore show will be much faster and more formulaic than the style found at other kinds of shows. Certain types of moves are often seen in certain passages of music (for example the "two-step" for floor-tom breakdowns). Hardcore can also include people windmilling (rotating their arms in wide circles in time to the music), moves resembling aggressive breakdancing, and solitary martial arts maneuvers. The latter are often frowned upon by other dancers, however, especially if attempted at non-hardcore concerts. Another form of hardcore dancing involving the whole mosh pit is called the "circle pit" in which people skank at running speed around the circumference of the pit.

Moshing can be referred to by several different names, depending upon the subculture in which it is found: hardcore dancing, violent dancing, hardmoshing, moufloning, throwdown, mashing, or most simply, moshing. The mosh pit at a metal show is normally much larger, as these shows tend to draw a larger crowd. Ska music or ska-core often attracts a type of slam dancing known as skank. The more obscure grindcore also has its own style of dancing, often referred to as the grind (not to be confused with the highly sexual urban dance style), which resembles a blend of skanking and more formulaic moshing.
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» Risks and Criticism

Critics have charged slam dancing with inciting or condoning violence. Supporters argue that slam dancing can establish friendship and camaraderie. Supporters say that critics who report deaths or serious injuries in a mosh pits are actually talking about crowd surfing or stage diving.

The supporters report that moshing is a completely different activity, which the media confuses with death and destruction. In reality, supporters say, moshing is quite safe. Critics, in reply, note that the violence of the dance floor will inevitably lead to some injuries, which can lead to an escalating cycle of retaliatory violence. Both positions are much disputed by the other side, and there tends to be some conflation between the actual dangers of moshing and the types of behavior which its critics say it causes. However, it should be noted that even moshing's most ardent supporters agree that there is some physical risk associated with the activity, but usually compare it to the risks of any physically challenging sport.

If you plan to mosh you should only wear clothing that is expendable, as it may be ruined or missing by the end of your mosh pit session.
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» Sobriety and Hydration

1. If someone falls over, stop moshing and immediately help the person get up.

2. Remove any spike bands, joint rings, or similar jewelry before entering the pit if there is any danger of it injuring others.

3. No groping or sexual assault is allowed in the pit (moshing is by no means a male-only activity).

4. Kicking and punching is generally regarded to be a breach of Pit Etiquette, shoving or pushing with the forearms or elbows is preferred. This rule has an exception in hardcore pits.

5. Don't enter the pit drunk. We're not here to babysit you.

6. If you are at the edge of the pit, you are assumed to have taken on the task of shielding those outside the pit from any persons whom might come flying out of it, voluntarily or othewise. If such a person does not appear to be actively seeking a way out of the pit, it is general etiquette to push or throw them back in.

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