Semi-final rounds comp strategies?

E

elisedance

Active Member
Our level (AM Standard gold) is particularly popular in Ontario and we almost inevitably have a semifinal. The most we have had in one is 13 couples and in three of the four dances (F,W,T) they typically put all the couples on the floor at the same time, splitting us only for QS. It is quite impossible to do routines in such a crowd so you have to wing it. We lead-follow pretty well but in such a crowd there is always a few that don't raising the possibility of a collision.

My question is to what extent should one just do basics and how hard should one try to put in higher level steps or step sequences? I have heard both - that 'the judges only look at you for a few seconds so just look great' and that 'sure do basics but also put in flash or you will look ordinary'.

What strategy does everyone here recommend? :confused:
 
well we are big movers...and when the floor is split or very very crowded we tend to take our difficult material out and focus more on position...we also tendo to just drop a wall of what we normally do and hinge our corners differently to survive...but clearly since we no longer have our movement to show some of our advantage...we like to concentrate on position rather than choreo
 
Ditto - both of my pros would follow that same strategy.

And, for what it's worth - one standard coach I know is a stickler for footwork, and says that as a judge, s/he sometimes can't see feet in a crowded semi, so recalls are based on topline, poise and movement.
 
Fasc thank you I understand now.

But here is my little problem I am 6'-2" and female pro is 6'-0" so naturally will take big steps and small ones makes look unsure of our movements.

So if I am understanding you correctly you will concentrate in executing the step technically more so that moving down the LOD.

Thank you Fasc
 
Your approach makes sense fasc - and by hinging corners do you mean using the extremes? I suppose thats one place where one can execute a more interesting step since corner ones often do not move as much - and there is the advantage that you are out of the crowd.

I'm not sure if a crowded floor favors the tall or the short or neither. The tall stand out of course, but they need more room to execute. Likewise the short may be hidden but they can do more in the available space. I suppose the tall may benefit a bit from being able to see open spaces easier, but don't have enough experience to tell.

I would love to hear also from one of the adjudicators on here. TT, AH, anyone else?? Do you expect to see more than basics on a crowded (pre-final) floor? And what happens in a crowded final - as can occur with, as fasc raised, a split floor?
 
rjcbear said:
Fasc thank you I understand now.

But here is my little problem I am 6'-2" and female pro is 6'-0" so naturally will take big steps and small ones makes look unsure of our movements.

So if I am understanding you correctly you will concentrate in executing the step technically more so that moving down the LOD.

Thank you Fasc
Click to expand...
yea it is a nightmare even for us short folks...but what I really am saying is that we make the choreo simpler to focus on our position and shape since our movement is so badly hampered...a big topline is a big topline even with small steps, especially with small steps, the ability to keep it and have balance while movement is impaired is, IMO, no small feat
 
fascination said:
yea it is a nightmare even for us short folks...but what I really am saying is that we make the choreo simpler to focus on you position and shape since our movement is so badly hampered...a big topline is a big topline even with small steps and the ability to keep it and have balance while movement is impaired is, IMO, no small feat
Click to expand...

Fasc,

That really make sense thank for making it clear for me.
 
Don't worry about it I promise I will not tell you English teacher. But if Eleise is around you will be in trouble.
 
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