pre-competition disorder

[sbrnsmith]

In that special hell for those waiting for their heat lists....no one in the real world would ever understand this.

 

[NOVAdancer]

Pro sent me a text when he heard the list was out... "don't look!"

(It was too late )

A question from a relative newcomer (I have only danced in three comps so far--fourth to come in two weeks)--why would you not want to look at other people's heat lists? My guess is that if you see they are dancing a lot more heats than you, you might assume they are "better" dancers than you, and it would erode your confidence--is that it, or is there some other reason?

 

[s2k]

My guess is that if you see they are dancing a lot more heats than you, you might assume they are "better" dancers than you, and it would erode your confidence--is that it, or is there some other reason?


It's possible that when you see who else is at a comp or who else is in your events, you can psych yourself out, as there is always someone who:

• has competed more than you
• has more/higher placements than you
• has more money than you
• takes more lessons than you
• is just a better dancer than you.

All of that information is beyond our control and does nothing but make us anxious and second-guess ourselves.

But if you look at it from the perspective of "I only compete against myself," you'll find yourself more concerned about what YOU can control (your dancing, your grooming, your attitude) and less concerned about what you have zero control over (judges' marks, others' dancing, even the temperature of the ballroom).

If you strive for "I've danced my best today, and no matter what, I'll leave tonight proud of myself," then you can't ever go wrong.

Good luck! And welcome to DF!

 

[FancyFeet]

For me, it's not about how many heats the others are in, but about who is in my heats... while I am learning to deal, I do much better when I get in a bubble and have no idea who my direct competitors are or how heavily contested my event is. It just helps me keep my focus on what I need to do when I remain blissfully ignorant

(Note that this approach does not work for everyone. Some people need to know these details to get to their calm and happy place.)

 

[sbrnsmith]

I can't remain blissfully ignorant....alas....I have to face the heat lists head on and then let the chips fall where they may

 

[debmc]

I can't remain blissfully ignorant....alas....I have to face the heat lists head on and then let the chips fall where they may

I'll say this...I've seen heat lists before and did much better than I thought I would do based on who was in my heats, I've seen heat lists before and was totally accurate in where I would wind up based on who was on the floor. It can go either way. Just do your best!

 

[fascination]

who's dancing is one part of it, who's judging is another part of it....how everyone dances is another part of it

 

[latingal]

I try to ignore both other competitors when I look at the heat lists and lists of who is judging at comps....I can't control that and it encourages me to look outside of myself rather then inside.

 

[JudeMorrigan]

Just remember, so long as you're not making spreadsheets of your competitors, their entries, and past results you're doing ok.

Not, err, that I've ever done that before. *cough*

 

[sbrnsmith]

Clarification- by 'facing the heat list', I do not mean obsessing over each of my competitors...I like to get familiar with my heats, so that I know what to expect....what long stretch I have, bathroom break...long break to be able to leave ballroom etc....I may scan my competitors, but have found it serves no useful purpose...so this time, I'm not doing it at all

 

[cornutt]

Just remember, so long as you're not making spreadsheets of your competitors, their entries, and past results you're doing ok.

That depends... do you have curve-fitted graphs of all of their results for the past three years?

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Lmao cornutt

 

[debmc]

Clarification- by 'facing the heat list', I do not mean obsessing over each of my competitors...I like to get familiar with my heats, so that I know what to expect....what long stretch I have, bathroom break...long break to be able to leave ballroom etc....

I do the same thing...I'll even write little notes in the margin 'good time to grab lunch'....etc, etc

 

[sbrnsmith]

I highlight the breaks, awards etc. helps break it down

 

[s2k]

A week to go, and in a weird place. Last week, we couldn't get cha cha to tempo, so partner had a meltdown. On Thursday, our coach decided to cut the very things that spawned the meltdown, so now we're all like rainbows and clover in cha cha. So... wait a second... a week until the comp, and we can do a round and not panic and cry? Well, now THAT'S a weird and thoroughly unexpected space to be in.

So in the meantime, let me:

• Bleach the things what need bleaching (hair and teeth)
  
• Darken the things what need darkening (skin)
  
• Stone the things what need stoning (costume because I always forget to "dress spa" immediately following the last comp)
• And the wisdom to know the difference.