I am doing Silver Modern and Silver Latin medals in approx. 4 weeks. Normally I do not get anxious before hand however after the "start" the adrenalin can send you into a fast pace. Does anyone have any successful ideas on how to best prepare and manage such anxiety. Our medals start at 9am on a Saturday and I daresay there will be a couple of hours watching others before my turn. I am thinking a practise might help at 6am before facing the "getting ready" at 7.30am. I am concerned about the sitting around time.

Sandra. Having done a few medals over the years. I came to the conclusion that if anything were to go wrong it would be the parts that I knew backwards. Only concentrating on the parts that I considered tricky was the wrong way to go. In other words pay more attention to the parts of your dancing that normaly never go wrong. This is actually from a book on how to succeed in dancing. Don't worry about the things you have no contol over, Like the music or if the floor feels a bit slippery, just concentrate on what you are doing which is something that you do have control over.Remember the judge also wants you to do a good medal. A little slip up if it happens is allowable. I dont know how the medals are conducted where you live. Here there could be a hundred or so watching which can make it a bit more of an ordeal. Thats why I quoted not to worrying about what you have no control over. I wouldn't dream of going on the floor cold. If there is room somewhere I would be doing Rumba Walks Cha and Samba to keep myself loose. If its possible a bit of modern as well, space permiting. The Latin can be done in a very confined space. Its just me but I dance and move better after an hour or two's dancing than I do when I have just come off the street. You'll do fine

Hi sandra
Everything Don has said is spot on. I have terrible problems with nerves too and have forgotten whole sides of competition routines that i have been dancing for years. My best advice is:
1)Don't worry about small mistakes (Don already said this)
2)Do what you do do well (this is from a song). In other words, look good all the time by keeping your frame and posture, and not slumping or panicking when you make a mistake (i know this isn't easy - if only i could do it myself!!)
3) Before you're due on, dance some basic moves with your partner. Nothing fancy - basics. Concentrate on doing them well. At least you know when you're due on- where i am, competitions don't allow me to know when i'm due to dance except with a few minutes' notice (Are you guys looking at this!!!).
4)Walk out boldly (not arrogantly) as if you're in complete control of everything and SMILE all the time (except in dances where you're not supposed to)
5)"rescue remedy" is great (it may not be called that in the states)
6) NEVER blame anyone (except yourself) if things do go badly wrong. That's important for the future
7)Try to be philosophical. Ultimately, the aim is to be a good dancer. You'll get there.

good luck

I'd add:

If possible practice in the room where you will be examined.

People are wall specific in their routines and pick up visual/environmental cues without realizing it.

Practicing in the room helps.

Many of the study books I had in university often advocated studying in the room where you knew an exam would take place.

OB