5 Winning Tips for Collegiate Dancers

Wayne and Marie Crowder

1. Practice the basic techniques. Start with Rumba walks, forward and backward, across the floor, then proceed with Cha Cha locks emphasizing the proper footwork and actions. In Waltz, practice Closed Changes, forward and backward, emphasizing the proper footwork and closing of the feet. Practice Foxtrot movement by passing the feet, again emphasizing the proper footwork, heel toe, toe, toe heel. Proper footwork is one of the major judging criteria for most adjudicators.

2. Know your routines & keep them simple. It is most important that the man knows the routines up on side and down the other. Men, be at practice early, before the lady gets there. You're leading and must know the routines to lead her properly through it. Indecision causes mistakes and poor dancing. Ladies must understand the routines also. Be able to dance through the routine to music without a partner.

3. Practice floor craft. Be able to start the routine at different places and use dodger steps to avoid other couples. Holding mock competitions is a good way to prepare. Be able to loop your routine back to the beginning. Again, indecision causes mistakes. Keep it simple.

4. Develop partnership skills, both on and off the floor. Be considerate of your partner. Mistakes are usually a result of both dancers. The most successful couples are usually the most considerate. Happiness goes a long way in a performance.

5. Get out on the floor a lot. Finally, to develop musicality at a performance level, compete more often. The more competitions, showcases, team performances, etc. that you dance, you become numb to people watching or judging you and therefore start performing, bringing in musicality.

What do the judges see?

They don't see the routines, but how you dance through them. Instead of being so conerned with dancing all silver steps for example, dance what you know well. Judges don't watch a single couple long enough to know their routine, they rate the overall quality of the movement. Focus instead of technique, timing, and performance.