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+ View Older Messages

Re: competition
Posted by glooney34
5/9/2012  12:32:00 PM
Thanks, very helpful. Our dance teacher feels we should perform the more complex steps in order to show the judges our level of competence. You seem to indicate it is better to do the the more basic steps, and do those well. Any further comments ?
Re: competition
Posted by anymouse
5/9/2012  8:35:00 AM
"Thanks, very helpful. Our dance teacher feels we should perform the more complex steps in order to show the judges our level of competance. You seem to indicate it is better to do the the more basic steps, and do those well. Any further comments ?"

Judges spend their lives seeing complicated things done badly (they teach all week after all). Give them a break and show them something - anything - done well.

But a teacher steering you away from basic elements may not be one who feels they have all that much of value to pass on about those. There's not a lot of point of putting effort into studying any particular aspect of dancing with a teacher who isn't inspired by that topic.
Re: competition
Posted by olderpartner
5/9/2012  1:38:00 PM
I concur. Keep it basic and make it the best you are able. Presentation is extremely important, far more so than complexity. In some instances my amateur partner and I repeat a sequence lasting only 20 seconds. We do use sequences to guarantee we stay in syllabus but we use lead and follow always so we can alter the sequence for floor conditions. Dancing Standard/Smooth it is particularly easy to become trapped and unable to continue a fixed routine.

I have found it helpful to "try" to judge some events then see how my rankings compare with the official judges. I have learned that couples who present well and use simple routines often score well, even when footwork or other elements of technique are only moderately well done. Great footwork without confident presentation does not seem to score as well.

I have danced uncontested numerous times in pro-am events. As an amateur couple, dancing uncontested has been a rarity for us.

Good luck and let your smile show you are having fun!
Re: competition
Posted by glooney34
5/10/2012  10:48:00 AM
Thanks for the input. You both talk about "presentation". I wonder if you can elaborate? Is it physical appearance? Or hold? Or Dress? Or?
Re: competition
Posted by olderpartner
5/10/2012  4:25:00 PM
Presentation, how to describe it. For me it begins with posture, on and off the floor. If you watch championship dancers you will see that they literally exude confidence with their upright posture and fluid motion as they walk. Once on the dance floor they add frame and expression. Their necks will seem long, their shoulders will be down and they will assume their dance position deliberately. This is all before you begin to dance. While getting this far won't win you any competitions the absence of a good start can assure you will not win.

Presenting yourselves well for a one minute and twenty seconds as you dance can seem like an eternity. The smile can disappear, the shoulders can rise, the frame can droop or compress and you can find yourselves unstable in a myriad of ways. These are all things judges can see before they even bother to check out your footwork or evaluate the complexity of your figures.

I am sure others may be able to offer a better or fuller explanation. Simply put, if you don't look great you are probably not dancing well either.
Re: competition
Posted by JonHamilton
6/4/2012  9:49:00 PM
Hello! Unfortunately I just saw your blog post for the first time, how soon is the competition if hasn't already passed?
Re: competition
Posted by glooney34
6/10/2012  9:48:00 AM
The competition is in October. Just need info to prepare properly. I hear lots of conflicting stuff-so I am looking for info so I can decide how much time to devote to this and the proper level of competition to enter.
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