scullystwin42
Forum Master
lol, well, maybe not. Pro'd listen to this music before, and i forgot he has to cut it, and it's so last minute. i may have caused a bit of stress with this snap decision. music is too boring apparently.
pre-competition disorder
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worddancer
Well-Known Member
The joys of opinionated and blunt pros ;-)
scullystwin42
Forum Master
right? i guess it's "repetitive" not boring. it's Goodbye by Feder feat lyse. so i sent over other options
Well Rounded
Well-Known Member
I found the get together for the dinner/dance and pro show on the final night was more enjoyable than I thought. I also eventually discovered that the camaraderie meant more to me when a few people from my studio were attending. Everyone getting together didn't mean as much when I was just a face in the crowd. At this point, I can do without it altogether, but the first few comps, it was something was very much a bonding experience.
I'm a pretty independent, self-sufficient kind of person but, I really appreciated having the studio personnel hold my hand and guide me through the first comp. Not having to sweat the details allowed me to see and do and absorb things I might have otherwise not noticed.
Some things I was glad I did once, but didn't feel the need to repeat such as, gathering with the studio crowd for every meal.
I learned that I am unlikely to do anything outside of the comp or hotel. I am totally immersed in ballroom dance and competition. Other than the cost of travel and accommodations, I don't really care where the comp is held, as I won't be doing any sightseeing or beaching or whatever.
That's all I can think of right now, but I'm sure there was more.
I know the question wasn't directed at me, but my 2 cents:
- I definitely enjoy the group dinners and gatherings when there's actually a group (with the studio). With the independent pro, I was usually the only student. Nothing personal, but I figured out late in the game that I would rather just eat by myself than have him accompany me because he felt obligated. Not that it bothered him, but sometimes it was just awkward b/c it was like eat and run. And breakfast... he wasn't a morning person.
- I'll be in the minority here, but I'm meh on the pro shows even when it involves major star power. It's too late... I want to be in bed, especially after long day and/or before an early morning. Sitting watching stuff just makes me tired. I skipped them altogether at the last comp I went to, even though I think it was like Karina and Slavik or some super duper renowned couple.
- I am also unlikely to take advantage of any of the amenities or tourist stuff, even when I intend to. How many times have I packed my swimsuit and not needed it...
- I love having lots of vendors, even if I'm not in the market for anything. I like to go around and try on dresses. I've been to or spectated at comps with no vendors, and that was disappointing.
- Not mentioned, but I will pay for the professional photography and videography. Frankly, going through all the pics at the photographer's station tells me a lot about my dancing (much of it not good, but I usually find a few shots I'm willing to pay for). Yes it's expensive, and yes, I figuratively side-eye folks who break the rules and film heats on the sly. And I've had good experiences with the photographers... I once went over to ask them if they could put my 13 selections all in the same folder so I could see them as a bunch and pick out 10 since that was what was in my budget, and they said don't worry, you can just have all 13 (they were digital files).
- Packages often include workshops on Sunday. These are hit or miss. I've done some good ones, and some "I will never ever remember or use this incredibly complicated bolero figure ever" ones.
Well Rounded
Well-Known Member
Photos and videos are something I always try to get, too. That is another thing I learned by trying some of everything at the first comp. Originally I just wanted a few keepsakes. Now I get as many as I can afford. Thankfully, the last couple of comps, I've had the option to buy all of the photos for 1 reasonable flat fee. I didn't know just how much I would value the photos and videos as learning tools.
I did get videos of rhythm at my competition in November, but forgot to get them for smooth. I did learn from my videos. I now turn on quicktime and record comps I see online and look at them. This is other dancers.
I've discovered that over time I can now see what things people do better or worse and now can sometimes see why. Heck, someone shared this "sexy dancing: expectations vs. reality" video on Facebook. I decided to look critically and think about what my pro would probably say. So I watched and rewatched the first snip.
I think he's say: Pretty good... but it will look better if we get your shoulders down. Then we'd move to sterhum up. After I got that, I'm pretty sure the improvement would involve my core. . .
Yes.... of course, the "reality" student isn't as flexible and so on as the teacher. A sensible teacher would suggest different moves that don't require hyper-flexibility. But I can't help but think that she would look much, much better and sexier with better control of her frame!
I feel like I can now better distinguish some stuff like that. (Though... maybe it's just a hallucination!)
I've discovered that over time I can now see what things people do better or worse and now can sometimes see why. Heck, someone shared this "sexy dancing: expectations vs. reality" video on Facebook. I decided to look critically and think about what my pro would probably say. So I watched and rewatched the first snip.
I think he's say: Pretty good... but it will look better if we get your shoulders down. Then we'd move to sterhum up. After I got that, I'm pretty sure the improvement would involve my core. . .
Yes.... of course, the "reality" student isn't as flexible and so on as the teacher. A sensible teacher would suggest different moves that don't require hyper-flexibility. But I can't help but think that she would look much, much better and sexier with better control of her frame!
I feel like I can now better distinguish some stuff like that. (Though... maybe it's just a hallucination!)
I don't think you're hallucinating. Technical video analysis is a weird secret hobby of mine, and I agree with your assessment.
The lady in the video is exaggerating for effect in many cases, but the "awkwardness" of her motions largely comes from a lack of isolation--she's using lots of muscles that the "pro" is not in every movement. Dancing is an art form where stillness is as important as motion, and the stillness element is just as hard--or even harder--to master.
worddancer
Well-Known Member
I regularly video myself, as my social media friends know. I feel it has sped up my progress so quickly. Even for non competitive dances, I was watching myself doing a social dance and realized that I didn't have as good a "frame" like I do when I do smooth. So I've been practicing shoulders back, tall frame, even when doing social dances like salsa and it makes such a huge difference. And I wouldn't have fixed that as quickly if I hadn't seen a video of myself doing a social dance.
Okie sending you more videos
Okie sending you more videos
worddancer
Well-Known Member
So. I did commit yesterday and signed a contract for
Smooth, 16 singles, 2 champs/2 scholarships.
Rhythm, 9 singles, 1 champ.
An intl rhumba showcase (which was way cheap compared to the rest)
A coaching with a judge I’ve interacted with online several times and am excited about.
Anyways, I am now thinking that was so much money. I haven’t throughout this entire journey ever really questioned the amount of money I’ve spent.... at events (all small events, let’s include the virtual comps in there) or the money at lessons, which I get a lot of.
But this is like half of a nice used car for a single event.
I am in a little bit of a “did I make the right decision.”
Can I afford it? Yes, especially with the lack of travel this year. But wow it is a lot of money.
I am thinking of how we have been training for this moment for Smooth. So maybe back to the Olympics analogy where this isn’t a one off thing but part of the entire dance journey for me.
I definitely need to think hard about 2021 and what my dance budget looks like for next year. I guess I will know after this competition if it’s worth it.
Smooth, 16 singles, 2 champs/2 scholarships.
Rhythm, 9 singles, 1 champ.
An intl rhumba showcase (which was way cheap compared to the rest)
A coaching with a judge I’ve interacted with online several times and am excited about.
Anyways, I am now thinking that was so much money. I haven’t throughout this entire journey ever really questioned the amount of money I’ve spent.... at events (all small events, let’s include the virtual comps in there) or the money at lessons, which I get a lot of.
But this is like half of a nice used car for a single event.
I am in a little bit of a “did I make the right decision.”
Can I afford it? Yes, especially with the lack of travel this year. But wow it is a lot of money.
I am thinking of how we have been training for this moment for Smooth. So maybe back to the Olympics analogy where this isn’t a one off thing but part of the entire dance journey for me.
I definitely need to think hard about 2021 and what my dance budget looks like for next year. I guess I will know after this competition if it’s worth it.
worddancer
Well-Known Member
My feet are really tired. It got fatigued within 10 mins of dancing.
This week I had 7 lessons and 3 group classes. Usually it’s not this much but the competition is next week.
Any tips besides Epson salt baths and foot rollers?
I’m so tired and we still have lessons for the part of next week and then driving to the comp.
I’m feeling mentally and physically exhausted.
This week I had 7 lessons and 3 group classes. Usually it’s not this much but the competition is next week.
Any tips besides Epson salt baths and foot rollers?
I’m so tired and we still have lessons for the part of next week and then driving to the comp.
I’m feeling mentally and physically exhausted.
raindance
Forum Master
Elevate your legs and feet whenever you can.
Consider squeezing an extra day off of dancing. Competing tired is counterproductive. And those last minute lessons and practices aren't as critical or helpful as one is tempted to think what one is in the midst of it.
+1 to what @raindance said.
In general terms, there is an idea that is common in athletics that I haven't seen (much) in dance that I think is relevant: tapering.
Runners, lifters, and swimmers soon learn the hard way that your ability to improve your physical performance decreases steadily as game day approaches. So over time, they do less and less physical work, and pay more and more attention to psychological readiness as a big meet draws close.
In practice, this plays out as a reduction in workload and an increase in either intensity or mimicry of competition conditions.
For example, a bread-and butter workout for me as a long sprinter was 8x300 meters at my 400 meter race pace, with 200 meters jog as rest. Absolutely brutal. But during tapering time, we would reduce to 2-3 reps FASTER than race pace, with much more generous walking rest. We would also spend more time practicing reaction time to the gun, block start technique, and batn-passing technique (for relays), none of which are physically taxing in any way. The goal was to feel psychologically fast, prepared, and well-rested..
I very strongly recommend you take a similar approach, for all the same reasons. With one week to go, your technique and oxygen cannot be improved further. You might be able to add a bit of muscle memory to routines, but that's it. This week's work should focus on things that make you feel psychologically ready.
Rest is one valid ingredient to that. Entering and exiting the floor are others. Confirming that you remember routines well are still another. Technique and fitness work have no place at this point.
scullystwin42
Forum Master
Totally valid approach. Jumping on to say I agree with all of this! Usually before comp it’s just rounds. No tweaking, no changes. Maybe a clarification here or there, reminders of things we’ve worked on, but just drilling.
and I will bring up again how well 10 minute mental toughness has worked for me. I’ve not done that training for a bit but need to get back on it.
The studio event was yesterday so technically too late for "pre-comp" disorders, but I had a bunch of various bad dreams the night before. Including one where my former independent pro was a judge at a comp I was attending*, and another where the garbage disposal was blocked and the sink was full of water. And at least a couple others I'm not recalling.
(*In a very odd coincidence, I overheard someone at my table at the studio event mentioning that my instructor, who was on the floor at that moment with another student, had been a judge at [some other event]. Do I have warped psychic powers?)
(*In a very odd coincidence, I overheard someone at my table at the studio event mentioning that my instructor, who was on the floor at that moment with another student, had been a judge at [some other event]. Do I have warped psychic powers?)