How do you prepare for competition?

[pygmalion]

I brought this up in another thread, but perhaps this is a good standalone topic. What elements are important in preparing for a dance competition? I'm specifically talking about things other than dancing, but feel free to talk about whatever you like. Are there physical, emotional, spiritual, political or other things you think are important? Do you change your diet, get extra rest, lift weights, tan, groom yourself differently? Anything at all is fair game. Whatever preparations you make, please talk about why you think they're important.

[Porfirio Landeros]

Michael Mead says pack a dance emergency bag...

Safety Pins, sewing supplies, shoe care, extra set of shoes... being prepared for the worst gives you peace of mind, especially when a shoe breaks, and you'll know you can walk over to your bag and grab another pair, instead of scrambling for a pair to borrow. Have this all in a special bag that you can bring into the ballroom.

[Vince A]

Michael Mead says pack a dance emergency bag...

Safety Pins, sewing supplies, shoe care, extra set of shoes... being prepared for the worst gives you peace of mind, especially when a shoe breaks, and you'll know you can walk over to your bag and grab another pair, instead of scrambling for a pair to borrow. Have this all in a special bag that you can bring into the ballroom.
I agree . . . been doing this for years, however, I never thought of the sewing supplies . . . great idea if you pop a button or a hem of one pant leg breaks and you keep stepping on it.

I'll add that tonight . . . THANKS!

One thing that I found extremely important . . . is a little bottle of glue - Elmers, Gorilla Glue, even a rub-on glue stick. I cannot count the times I've saved myself or others when shoes catch on the floor and the suede starts coming off or comes all the way off. A five-second fix if you have glue in that bag!

[Adwiz]

I hadn't thought of the glue, great idea!

My wife always brings extra pantyhose but the morning of the last comp both pairs developed a run as they were being put on. She wasn't prepared to lose two pairs in that way (I think the manufacturers should be taken to task for the junk they make at the high prices they charge) and ended up having to wear a lighter colored backup pair instead. She felt self-conscious and lost a great deal of confidence. So I now recommend that women equip themselves with more pairs of hosiery than they think they'll need.

Guys too should have a backup of everything. I spilled something once while eating, right on the crotch of my Latin pants and was glad for the spare.

Two days before a comp I get my hair styled and put on sunless tanning lotion. If nothing else, it makes you feel better about yourself.

[Vince A]

I always bring spare pants, but they are always in the room.

I do the suntan lotion thing too, as I stay out of the sun - well my face does - as much as I can.

My wife certainly would concur with you on the p/hose. She brings at least five pair with her, and for some reason (maybe superstition???), she changes into a fresh pair, french-cut type for her Waltz competition?
I don't ask!

[SDsalsaguy]

Here's an article (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?p=32234#32234), form Dance Today!, on comp prep!

[hobrien]

Great topic,

This goes for doing shows also....

Well Murphy's law, "if it can go wrong it will"

actually this law is really more like "if something can go wrong, then be absolutely prepared for it".

One thing that gets me time and time again, is how big/slippy/uneven/rough and what shape the floor is. Always good to know these things in advance, but can be difficult if your are competing in a place that you have never danced in before.

A couple of weeks ago I was forced to do a show in my dancegym shoes instead of my nice dancing shoes since the floor was so damn slippy, but it worked !

A big piece of advice I think is to go through your whole coreography before hand if you can, (that is if you have a coreography!!).

Also a couple of months ago I was a a competition in Copenhagen where everyones music got mixed up or scratched by the DJ so bring several version of your CD's/tapes etc.

Mmmm I will think some more about this....

:bandit:

[cocodrilo]

I have never been in a dance competition but for women salsa dancers, I highly recommend extra bra-straps(especially if you have the clear plastic type which tend to break easily), deodorant, and TONS OF SAFETY PINS. I hate the idea of running stockings which is the sole reason I dance in dance pants, and I can easily switch to jazz dance shoes without looking goofy(as I would be in a dress with jazz shoes). I am assuming that women do not compete bare-legged, but if I choose to wear a dress this feels best!

[Pacion]

she changes into a fresh pair, french-cut type for her Waltz competition? I don't ask!

lol re "I don't ask!"

:oops: what are "french-cut" stockings/tights/panty hose?

[Vince A]

I have no idea . . . but that's what it says on the packaging :?:

[pygmalion]

I think that's referring to the cut of the "panty" that's woven into the hose. If she's wearing dance trunks on top, French cut, which are cut very highon the hip/outer thigh, should be invisible when she spins.

I found this cool article, with some good tips for competitive dancers. I especially like the makeup tips, although I have to question the less is more tip. The folks I've seen have definitely not been wearing less makeup. Hmm.
http://proamdancer.com/

TIPS FOR DANCERS

In order to take some of the stress out of competitive dancing dancers learn to be well organized. Below are grooming check lists for men and for women that can help them to stay polished and organized.

TIPS FOR MEN
TOILETRY BAG
Deodorant (a must have and must use!)
Hair brush, hair spray
Tooth brush,tooth paste,mouth wash
Tissues
Safety pins
Pencil or pen/heat sheet
USEFUL HINTS
Black cotton briefs under your pants in case your pants split (it can happen anytime & to anyone!)
Costume pants made of stretchy fabric that has a little "give".to avoid the above mentioned "spitting".
Extra shirt or shirts to make quick changes due to sweating
Tuxedos should be tailored not only to fit but to move with you - get a good tailor!
Get your hair styled so it stays off your face and use your hair spray to keep it there.

SURVIVAL TOOLS FOR ALL DANCERS
Energy food bars or snacks
Water bottle and/or juice drinks
For Men: Hand towels (more than one) and a face cloth
Extra pair of laces for your shoes
Shoe brush
First Aid kit with bandaids and tape
Aspirin or other headache medicine
Use baggies for earrings/bracelets, separately for each costume -
Put a hole in the baggie and hang it on the same hanger as your costume.
Dance shoe bag with identification on it
Dance shoes and extra pair dance shoes
Use baggies for earrings/bracelets, separately for each costume -
Put a hole in the baggie and hang it on the same hanger as your costume.

TIPS FOR WOMEN

MAKE UP TIPS
Use a minimum amount of make up - "less is more"; more than you may think.
Use a foundation, darken your eyebrows a bit and keep the color on your eyelids to a minimum. After that brush on some rouge for your cheeks making sure you start at your hairline next to your eyes so that your makeup "pulls together). The more foundation you use, the more any wrinkles or flaws will show up - be careful there.
Use eyelashes - chose a color and length you are comfortable with - the major reason for even wearing them is to enhance your eyes - not to have them make an outrageous statement. There is a "starter kit" available which has an item which helps you to put the eyelash glue on correctly before it goes on your own eyelash - follow the directions, they work. The most important thing you can do is allow the eyelash glue to get a little sticky before applying it. That will make sure the eyelash sticks to where you want it and won't fall off.
LIPSTICK TIPS
Do your lipstick to last though all your heats:
Apply a non-oily foundation or a cover-up stick concealer to your lips and let it dry
Apply pressed power to your lips
Line your lips with a good lip liner
Fill in part of the lips with the lip liner
Apply your lipstick and blot with tissue
Apply a little more powder around the lined lip edges
Re-apply lip liner and dab on more lipstick
DANCE BAG:
Dance shoes and extra pair dance shoes
Wide stretch bands for holding your shoes on your feet
Extra pair pantyhose
Extra pair Dance pants
Shoe brush
TOILETRY BAG:
Deodorant
Extra eye lashes and glue
Use dab of eyelash glue to hold clip-on earrings on ears
Tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash
Tissues
Powder, rouge & lipstick
Nail repair kit
Small comb or brush & hair spray for hair touch up
Mini-sewing kit with threaded (color of your dress) needle,
Small scissors & safety pins

[samba ajr]

I have never been in a dance competition but for women salsa dancers, I highly recommend extra bra-straps(especially if you have the clear plastic type which tend to break easily), !

Thanks for the reminder. I have a comp coming up on the 13-14th (AMI in Morristown NJ). I use the clear straps for both outfits and my black velvet dress somehow colors the straps (and won't wash out). So I need to buy at least 2 more pair.
Also on my shopping list: Hair color (I like to go a bit darker auburn/brunette--I perks me up emotionally too!). Extra pantyhose. Items for a "competition fairy" gift bag--whenever someone is going to their first competition it's fun to put together some essentials: highlighter pens, dark red lipstick, chocolate, listerine breath strips, dark chocolate, anything else fun and, more chocolate (they never give you enough snacks at the table!)

[yoyao]

well, one thing frustrated me is that my partner doesn't seems as interesting in pratice as I am. and we usually end up practice like 5 min before the competition! beside the 2 hours group lession every week! I would like to get about 7 or 8 hours of practice time every week! well... :x :x :x

[pygmalion]

Are you looking for a partner -- maybe one who is better matched in terms of goals?

[BM]

So, in the ballroom world, I have heard of people tanning, hair-dying, mani-/pedicuring, extreme make-upping, and waxing in preparation for competitions and showcases and what-have-you.

Do non-ballroom people go through similar procedures?

Ballroom and non-ballroom people alike, what are some of the stranger/more outrageous things you (or someone else) have done to get ready for big dance events?

[and123]

I have washed and blow-dried my cats before going to cat shows. I imagine that sounds nuts to anyone not involved in the cat-show circuit. They even have specially colored shampoos to help them look their best, as well as a buttload of grooming products and powders. Funny, the most well-groomed cats tend to belong to the most unkempt owners....:rolleyes:

[tanya_the_dancer]

I have washed and blow-dried my cats before going to cat shows. I imagine that sounds nuts to anyone not involved in the cat-show circuit. They even have specially colored shampoos to help them look their best, as well as a buttload of grooming products and powders. Funny, the most well-groomed cats tend to belong to the most unkempt owners....:rolleyes:

No surprise here, they probably spent most of their time grooming the cat, not themselves. There's only so many hours in a day.... :)

[elisedance]

eat candy - well, mostly chocolate - tons of it

Or maybe thats not so unusual!

[Peaches]

I have washed and blow-dried my cats before going to cat shows. I imagine that sounds nuts to anyone not involved in the cat-show circuit. They even have specially colored shampoos to help them look their best, as well as a buttload of grooming products and powders. Funny, the most well-groomed cats tend to belong to the most unkempt owners....:rolleyes:Makes sense to me. There's a saying when you work with horses... The cleaner the horse, the dirtier the groom.

[samina]

There's a saying when you work with horses... The cleaner the horse, the dirtier the groom.

yep, used ta go home covered in a fine layer of green dust when i had a string of standardbred yearlings to care for years ago... btw, the green wasn't from hay... always required two baths to get clean.

[reb]

yep, used ta go home covered in a fine layer of green dust when i had a string of standardbred yearlings to care for years ago... btw, the green wasn't from hay... always required two baths to get clean.
. . . 'processed' hay?

[meow]

The strangest and stupidest thing I know of is actually after a comp. I knew a dancer who used tan on his face instead of make-up. He didn't want people outside of dancing to know that he danced so he would use BLEACH to remove the tan, even on his face. I was flabbergasted! Told him how bad that was for his skin etc., but he wouldn't listen. Make-up (Natural Glow) will match the tan and you just blend it in at the neckline - needless to say, he no longer dances.:doh:

[SlowDancer]

The strangest and stupidest thing I know of is actually after a comp. I knew a dancer who used tan on his face instead of make-up. He didn't want people outside of dancing to know that he danced so he would use BLEACH to remove the tan, even on his face. I was flabbergasted! Told him how bad that was for his skin etc., but he wouldn't listen. Make-up (Natural Glow) will match the tan and you just blend it in at the neckline - needless to say, he no longer dances.:doh:

Now that is WEIRD.

[samina]

. . . 'processed' hay?

LOL

i like your delicate use of language :rolleyes:

[BM]

The strangest and stupidest thing I know of is actually after a comp. I knew a dancer who used tan on his face instead of make-up. He didn't want people outside of dancing to know that he danced so he would use BLEACH to remove the tan, even on his face. I was flabbergasted! Told him how bad that was for his skin etc., but he wouldn't listen. Make-up (Natural Glow) will match the tan and you just blend it in at the neckline - needless to say, he no longer dances.:doh:

Hmm, even if he must tan, there is tan-remover in existence . . . or he could have just used a scouring pad in the shower. ;)

[danceronice]

Scrubbing grimy stuff off bits that are going right back in the horse's mouth anyway because it STILL had to be clean. Having to pay $150 vet bill so the vet could come and tranquilize the horse so we could clip his ears, under where the crownpiece of the bridle goes, and his fetlocks (ankles--not technically, but that's what it looks like.) Because otherwise, he panicked and smashed his head trying to break out of the crossties to get away from the clippers. In IHSA, getting into arguments about how to attach my back number (guys here--safety pins work just fine, YES?) and about whether or not my hair fit up under ASTM-certified helmets or whether it looked fine in a low hairnet.

Ballroom, by comparison, is a paragon of sanity.

[Peaches]

You think so? REALLY? 'Cause...wow...

I mean, the horse stuff makes perfect sense and seems perfectly sane to me. The dance comp stuff...no way.

[Yliander]

So, in the ballroom world, I have heard of people tanning, hair-dying, mani-/pedicuring, extreme make-upping, and waxing in preparation for competitions and showcases and what-have-you.

Do non-ballroom people go through similar procedures?

Ballroom and non-ballroom people alike, what are some of the stranger/more outrageous things you (or someone else) have done to get ready for big dance events? Nothing to outrageous here - normally get my hair trimmed a couple of weeks before a comp, wednesday before is full leg wax, Thursday night is spray tan time

On comp day - I get up far to early to do my own hair - like lots of time to do this as it's easier if I'm not rushing

[JANATHOME]

Do you think there is such a thing?
We are doing a local comp tonight and for the past few days I have been feeling really uneasy about it, yet I dont feel any less prepared then normal.

This one is different as it is local, we are not taking a day off from work and will get there about an hour before our heats.( I am leaving a little early for a hiar appt.) Usually we travel to comps that requires a day off and I was thinking even though consciencely I am not doing this mental prep and getting into the frame of mind to dance, I guess I am doing this. With no time to do this, this time around I figure this has caused my uneasyness.

Does anyone else do a mental prep before a comp?

[mamboqueen]

Absolutely. And there are plenty of good books about this subject. The more you can be prepared ahead of time, the less you have to "worry" about when there. You can be in control of many things...and the more you can control, the less your body and mind have to think about (music, floor conditions, temperature). If you go to Michael Mead's website, there are a few good books shown there (dancesportcomp.com or something like that). Also, Dance to Your Maximum has a lot of exercises to condition your mind to help ease nerves.

[fascination]

I am wondering if I have a single day of my life when I am NOT trying to prepare myself mentally for the next comp...

[chica latina]

Janathome,

I agree that it makes a difference... but I had to go work in the morning, drive and compete or do a show that night. I will recommend try to have everything ready and in your way to the comp... listen to relaxing ballroom music that you like. Hopefully that will relax you and take your mind out of other things or stresses. Also make sure you have time to go through your routines slow and warm up before gettting to the floor...

[mamboqueen]

Also helps:

When you make a mistake during your dancing, you need to immediately forget about it and move on to what is next. Focusing on what just happened is not helpful (you need to be "in the present"). Dance to your Max has a 9-step "program" on focusing techniques to assist from the minute you walk on, do all of your dances, and walk off. I will grab the book later and list what they are.

Obviously, practicing in "simulation comp mode" is very helpful, too. Walk on the practice floor as you would during a comp, find your spot, do your dance, move on to the next spot, etc. When you are not at practice, but have time, visualizing your dancing - how you want it to look - is another good thing. Some of the books even recommend constantly visualizing yourself accepting your place on the podium.

Having negative thoughts ahead of time will never work in your favor. So, if you want to focus on something, make it into a positive (in other words, don't think "I hope I don't screw up x steps", think "it is like me to get x steps correct".)

I don't even like to be around people who are negative on the comp floor. Bad energy.

[rjcbear]

, Dance to Your Maximum has a lot of exercises to condition your mind to help ease nerves.

MB,

Can you tell me who the author of this book is so I can get it.

[mamboqueen]

Here's the link:

danceplaza.com/index.tpl?id=205

Be forewarned: it cost me about $90 after shipping.

[mamboqueen]

With Winning in Mind is also a good book (also The Mental Edge):

dancesportcomps.com/Visitors/Recommended_Books

I also bought Psychology of Dance, but haven't lifted it up yet.

[Gumby]

What they said plus a book that has been really great for me is
The Mind Gym - short chapters - which makes it a great tool to keep with you and drag out periodicaly over the week.

[sprifty]

Even when I don't travel to a comp but only have an hour or two to get ready, I've always found it helpful to meditate while doing my hair and makeup. I normally find a nice quiet space away from everything and sit down. And then I just try to clear my mind and focus on what I'm doing.

Just like an actor gets into character when they put on their costume, do can a dancer. If I take the time to slowly enter my competition mode while dressing, I find I'm always much calmer once I take the floor.

[mamboqueen]

What they said plus a book that has been really great for me is
The Mind Gym - short chapters - which makes it a great tool to keep with you and drag out periodicaly over the week.

I have this book, too, (more books to read + not enough time to read!). I crack up at this particular book because the foreward to it was written by Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) who is probably one of the biggest head cases in baseball. Just too much irony for me!

[JANATHOME]

Thanks for all the tips... Feeling pretty good now. I am wearing a new gown with a very cool hair piece also made out of the stones from the gown... Just got back from getting my hair done in a french twist with the hair piece in place... The stones wrap around the twist to the front with just a strand of the stones showing... Hard to explain but looks very cool!! OK.. time to do make-up.

Now if only we can figure out how to get to Mystic, since do to a major accident the highway on our route is completly closed down in both directions... Geez, what an adventure.

[mamboqueen]

Good luck to you!

[rjcbear]

Good Luck...

Thank GOD for Tom-Tom... Best toy i ever purchased I called it peace of mind

[mamboqueen]

Not sure I want to know what Tom Tom is??!! ;)

[rjcbear]

Not sure I want to know what Tom Tom is??!! ;)

Tom Tom is a portable GPS car navigation system.

You enter the staring and the ending location and it will find the route for you and if you take a detour it will re-calculate the route while you driving. It has taking me to the correct locations every time I used it.

[elisedance]

Pro and I once drove 5 hours for a comp and, because of scheduling changes, found ourselves on the floor less than an hour after arriving. Beforehand I thought it would be no problem - but its the worst I have danced I think. I do mental prep of my own (but will look at the above too), obviously more than I realize!

Suggestions as above but remember that you can run through the routines and the new aspects (technical developments since last time) in your mind just like the slalom racers do. I find that incredibly helpful. The worst thing for me now is when there is no adequate practice floor at the comp - the last one (last week) had a large floor - but it was surrounded by sales booths so people were either walking through or, worse, standing talking so that it was not possible to actually dance routine material.

Must let the organizers know...

Oh, and good luckto night - if you happen to see this!! We're on again sunday...

[mamboqueen]

Tom Tom is a portable GPS car navigation system.

You enter the staring and the ending location and it will find the route for you and if you take a detour it will re-calculate the route while you driving. It has taking me to the correct locations every time I used it.

Got it. And hope to get one some day myself!

[Nik]

Its important to not do too much, trusts me I have found this out through personal experience.

Don't make any sacrifices and don't change your daily life ruitine in order to prepare for a comp.

Basically, the less you worry, the better it will be.

[elisedance]

Its important to not do too much, trusts me I have found this out through personal experience.

Don't make any sacrifices and don't change your daily life ruitine in order to prepare for a comp.

Basically, the less you worry, the better it will be.

really? or is that circular, the better you get at it the less stressed you will be?

[samina]

Basically, the less you worry, the better it will be.

i'm on that plan. be prepared, then find some sweet spot between being relaxed and going for it, absolutely believing you have something new inside yourself that you're ready to unveil.

and believe that even if it's no one else's miracle, at least you can have your own... and enjoy the process.

[fascination]

i'm on that plan. be prepared, then find some sweet spot between being relaxed and going for it, absolutely believing you have something new inside yourself that you're ready to unveil.

and believe that even if it's no one else's miracle, at least you can have your own... and enjoy the process.
excellent

[Nik]

really? or is that circular, the better you get at it the less stressed you will be?

You will always be stressed because you can always get better.

More like the better you get at it, the more you realize there is still much more to be better at.

[elisedance]

More like the better you get at it, the more you realize there is still much more to be better at.

Thats true - but you learn where you are in the process and to be content with your progress.

Still, I think I will try to do it your way - try to take it just like another day. I have a comp tomorrow and we were talking about trying to approach it as a practice session - wiht a few friends! If only one could dance as one does in the studio...

I wonder if its different for the man though? For the follow, its essential that you can clear your mind and not anticipate. Not sure about the lead though.

[elisedance]

I know we've discussed aspects of this in the past but I could not find a specific thread - what do you do to immediately before competing? I think each dancer has a routine or a ritual to go through to be ready.

There's the physical - stretches, moving by yourself and dancing together, and then the mental - focus, peptalks etc. I'm still learning what works for me but would love to hear what others do - and also avoid.

[elisedance]

Magic!! I just flew on a carpet to pygmalion land
oh, ye whole gods do wonderous things...

And what do I find, I'm replying to myself of over a year ago :)

[note - this theme of this thread is actually different - its about general preparation prior to a competitoin and not what I was trying to discuss - the things you do immediately before going onto the floor] but ...

[Lioness]

Let's see...what do I do before a comp.

About a week before I make sure my dress is ready, that it wont fall off, that I have suitable underwear to wear with it, etc. A few days beforehand I try and figure out how I'll do my hair and what makeup (if any) I'll wear. (Low level comps, I can get away without seeming to have makeup on)
The night before I make sure everything is easy to find and/or ready to go, and I also get a good night's sleep. The morning of the comp I do shower, hair, and makeup, and then the last thing I do before leaving the house is put on my dress. We usually take a snack platter along with us to comps because we like to graze between events. On the way to the comp I'm usually running through routines/things I have to remember to do, and once I get there DP notices and tells me to stop stressing. He then distracts me by talking about random and completely unrelated things so I don't wear myself out.

I think that's it. While we're waiting for the actual event he makes sure I'm calm, talks through what we're doing etc.

[fascination]

oy...isn't my every day comp prep?


but okay...when I am actually two weeks out: I tan...I highlight the hair ....I get a full set of french tips and a pedi...two weeks is the outer limit for how far away from a comp i can do that ...I re-stock the make-up case...I do a quick spot check of the gowns(because the time when I really care for them is right after the comp...when I was and spot re-stone each)....I always make it my business to cut back on my food intake about a month out from a comp b/c I eat what I like at comps...I always increase my hydration and nutrition though...I take lots of naps....I buy gorceries so that if I am dancing alot of heats I have something that I like in the room which is usually tuna, wheat thins and wine....I de-junk my comp bag....

I back off on the drills a bit and start to work the choreo a bit more

[fascination]

immediately before going on the floor...breathe...sometimes I hit an elliptical to take off the edge

[fascination]

add white strips

[Chiron]

Ok I have a fairly regimented procedure to get myself ready for competition, or any performance for that matter. It is a modification of how I used to get ready to perform in college. The good thing about it is that it gets me in a very reproducible mental state (IMO). The bad part is that if something comes up where I can't prep myself properly I suffer. I remember one of my highschool coaches who encouraged us to change up our pre-race routine to keep us from getting superstitious.

The week before is mainly for physical prep and taking care of misc before the competition. The morning of the comp is where I do most my mental prep and head games to get ready to perform (though there is some physical warmup too). I slowly bring myself up from extremely relaxed up to a state where I feel like I'm about to blow with so much energy, which is where I like to be right before I go on. If you want explicit details of what exactly I do let me know, but I think mileage my vary.

[danceronice]

To the new question of what do you do immediately before you dance--well, first I make sure I know where my pro is. ;) (Hey, they're both busy guys at comps.) And that he knows where *I* am. I try to stretch my hamstrings, especially if I've been standing too much. I pay attention to the heat numbers and know which dance I have first. And generally not much else. As long as I'm loose, relaxed, and haven't eaten much or drank too much coffee (a bigger risk a competitions that I really need to watch) I'm good. I don't really have any mental prep or anything I do, but then I'm basically never nervous. (No, Tibor, it's not nerves that screws me up in Standard, it's stressing over it.) Fatigue is a bigger problem, or sometimes overeager adrenaline rushes.

[elisedance]

The coffee thing is something I should watch but don't - the real trouble is its a diiuretic for me so I find myself popping off in the moments before the heat, always a nerve wracking need. And then there's always the decision of when to have the Last Meal and what it should be. I love it when the schedule permits me to have a big breakfast - thats probably the biggest advantage of moving up the ranks - you get more time for breakfast ;)

[Standarddancer]

For me it's important to get enough sleep before comp, I need to rest well to perform well. I also check my makeup inventory several days before an out-of-town trip. I prefer to pack early a few days before and check if I need to purchase some thing last minute.

I usually enter the comp venue in my BB and if requires driving, print mapquest address ahead of time to prepare, nothing could be worse than can't find comp venue (experienced once, don't want it again)...

Local comps much less stress, no travel required, usually my events at night, so I prefer to sleep late during the day, then go foot massage if possible and visit salon for hair up-do, then eat (at least 6 hours before I dance, that's important), then slowly doing my makeup...and try to arrive comp venue a little bit early to warm up. Arrive late no warm up definitely not good...

I agree good idea to have an emergency pack for things like bandage, thread, safe pins, extra heel protectors, extra pair of shoes, etc. I also like to pack my slippers so my feet can be comfortable between rounds.

Mental preparation important too - I prefer to think and visualize nothing else but the most inspirational part of our chereography the entire day of comp, especially on the way to comp. It's important not to be distracted for the day of comp.

[QPO]

seeing the title of the thread and without reading all of the postings I just thought Practice :-)

[QPO]

I have an emergency kit prepared with sewing kit and extra heels, spare elastic, scissors...will carry extra shoes and more, will discover at each comp that I will need to have more on hand. Definitely some quick bites to eat ie muesli bars and water!

[Chiron]

seeing the title of the thread and without reading all of the postings I just thought Practice :-)

Yep, I thought that too :)