Everyone forgets things from time to time. A few critical things are commonly forgotten among Ballroom dancer’s. Here is a quick reminder of a few:
1. You probably do not suck as much as you think you do, when you think you suck.
- The most interesting thing is that dancers tend to get most frustrated with themselves when they are improving. If you start to think that you are starting to suck. That’s great!! You might be on the verge of a breakthrough. If you have been dancing for a while, you can look back at all the times this has been the case, but it is so easy to forget.
2. Just because a judge smiles at you, has coached you, or knows your mother, does not mean that the judge will mark you well.
- Even if everything about you is awesome, you need remember that you still need to show more awesomeness than everyone else on the floor in all you heats, in order to win.
3. If you really hate your partner, or even if you love you partner but hate dancing with him or her, it will not help your dancing unless you can keep your emotions in check.
- Fiery arguments might mean you are both passionate about your dancing, but if that takes up most of your time and energy, you will not be able to put all the effort into your dancing that you need to. Remember that you do not have to love each other, but you have to be able to work as a team.
4. You can excel in standard and smooth if you are on the shorter side, and you can be awesome in rhythm or latin even if you are on the longer side.
- How you move makes the biggest difference, not your height. Remember that there are many examples of this. Focus on what you can produce, not the box anyone else wants to put you in. And on the other hand, there is no excuse for not putting effort into whatever type of dance you want to dance.
5. If you dance on your feet, you need to treat your feet with love.
- When you stretch and strengthen your feet and toes, your lines and control will take a huge leap forward. Look for exercises that ballet dancers do. BTW. It is OK to borrow info from ballet and other styles. Dancers from other styles study Ballroom dancer’s poise, presentation and characterization, so it is only fair :). The bottom line is never, ever, ever forgot to take great care of your feet.
6. Arms are critical to your overall look, but if people only remember your arms, something is probably off.
- Arm styling and positions should look like natural extensions of your movement and feeling. Arms movements can be dramatic and enticing, but too much activity and you will more likely harm your partner, or other competitors, or yourself than stand at the top of the podium. Arms are like facial expressions. They should not be the first things that stand out.
7. If you keep messing up, try doing what your coach told you to do the first time.
- Immediately “adapting” information to your personal style works well for some dancers, some of the time, but the vast majority of us know MUCH less than our coaches, so we probably should pay full attention first before even thinking about adapting. The truth, however, is that it is simply hard to just listen sometimes. That is just the way it is. But when all else fails, you might as well try to.
Author: Miss P
Photography: Egorich.ca
Exclusively for Dance Comp Review