The zbójnicki is very demanding physically. Its tempo is very fast, in a 2/4 metre, and the dance consists of many steps and figures. It is a processional dance, one of a few preserved examples of the old circle dances, danced by men only. In the old times it was a shepherds' dance with elements of war dance. Ciupagi, walking sticks with axe heads used in this dance are reminiscent of its bellicose character. The name became popular only at the end of the 19th century, mainly because Polish highlands and their folklore became fashionable back then. The name itself was misleading as the zbójnicki was danced mostly by young shepherds (juhasi) and not bandits (zbójnicy), although the latter might also have been showing off their fitness and ability in dance. The zbójnicki has to be danced by at least four men with one being the leader (harnaś). Formerly, the zbójnicki was performed solo or by a group of soloists. Nowadays, the dance became more of a suite, usually heavily stylised, composed of high steps, slower ozwodny steps and fast krzesany steps, divided by folk songs. A typical zbójnicki begins with the leader calling: "Zbójeckiego!" (Play, the zbójnicki!). Then, other shepherds march in, form a circle, and stop in front of the orchestra. Then the harnaś starts to sing the folk song "Hej, Janicku serdecko, ka ześ podział piórecko cok ci dała?" (Hey, Johnny, my dear, where have you lost a feather I gave you), and then all dancers start to run in circles (always against the sun), then stamp their feet in place, and finally perform the ozwodny steps: one forward, one backwards. When the dancers again form in a semicircle or a circle in front of the orchestra, the main part of the zbójnicki begins. This time they dance to the well-known tune of "Tańcowali zbójnicy, w murowanej piwnicy, kazali se piknie grać i na nózki pozierać" (Hey, the bandits danced in a stone cellar, ordered the musicians to play well, and wanted everyone to watch them dance). They march in long steps in a circle and hit each other's ciupagi, then throw them into the circle radially. Next they start squat jumps, the most characteristic and impressive figure of the zbójnicki. The jumps may differ in particulars, but always are very deep, performed in place, or with a slight transition against the sun. The dancers do several squat jumps, the number depending on their physical fitness and endurance. At the last one they spring in the air, throwing arms forward and bending their knees. After the highest jump, the dancers return to their ciupagi and raise them with their right hands. Sometimes, after marching or running and stamping around the circle twice, the dancers end the dance or form in a semicircle in front of the orchestra and the leader starts another folk song.

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