Question:
I compete am/am with a regular dance partner. We seem to always do our best dancing at dance practice and our worst dancing at competitions. I know that nerves play into this and that having so many couples on the floor adds a different dynamic, but I'm looking for some tips on making our dancing at competitions the best dancing we do. Is there something we should be doing in the weeks leading up to a competition that might help? Is there something we should be doing the day of the competition?
He Said:
Competing is a different skill from dancing in a studio. In the weeks leading up to a competition, it would help if you danced rounds without stopping. At a competition, it is wise to refrain from observing your competitors, as it will cause you to second-guess your skills and lead to trying too hard. If you have a chance to get on the floor before the competition starts, it will help to settle you down. Just knowing that your material fits sometimes calms you down. Trust your training and do not try something new to impress the judges. More than likely, you will not, and the results will bear that out. Good luck!
She said:
Everybody that competes experiences some level of nerves. It can manifest as tension in the body, change of mood, sleeplessness, upset tummy, inability to eat, etc. What happens as we become more experienced competitors is that we recognize the ways that we get butterflies and learn to deal with them. Having a pre-competition routine that calms you is a great way to start. It could be slowing your breathing, doing yoga, taking a hot bath, going through the movements of your dancing with or without your partner, or simply listening to music that you love. Find what works for you.
When I competed, I liked to be quiet and inwardly focused before going out on the floor. My partner liked to chat and joke with the people around him in the on-deck area. We both realized what we had to do and did “our thing” before going onto the floor.
In terms of feeling comfort on the floor, competing frequently is key. When you are at a competition, try to maximize your floor time. Dance in as many showcases and local competitions as you can so that competing and performing becomes a friendly feeling, not a strange one.
Make a point of practicing rounds during a busy time at your studio so that you experience traffic and learn to think quickly. If being in costume feels uncomfortable or constraining, make sure to practice in your costume prior to the competition.
Everyone wants to dance their best at a competition. The reality is that sometimes you will and sometimes you won't. As you gain more experience, you'll produce a greater percentage of high-quality performances. Think about entertaining your fans and not competing and see what happens.
As a judge, I can tell you that we want everyone to dance well. We are rooting for all of you, not looking for your mistakes.
Ultimately your training prepares you for consistency. The more consistent your dancing becomes, the more you will be able to enjoy your floor time. In the end, we dance because we love it, it feels good, and it's fun. When you are at the competition, try to be in the moment—enjoy your partner and each movement you make. The rest will follow with time and practice.
