First Ballroom Dance Competition: Checklist to Success.
At one point or another, we all are involved in important events in our lives: birthdays, sports tournaments, wedding anniversaries, vacations… A common thread between these events is planning: what do to before, during and after the event. And ballroom dance competitions are no different.
I would like to share with you my personal ballroom dance competition checklist, so that you will feel comfortable and confident throughout your competitive experience.
Before the Competition
- Set a realistic goal
Setting a goal sounds easier than it actually is. There are several aspects to consider when creating a goal. I like to refer to this S.M.A.R.T approach when establishing goals for myself and others.
Here is an example of a S.M.A.R.T goal:
Specific: I will smile for 50% of my routine.
Measurable: My routine is 2 minutes and 30 seconds long, so I will smile for 1 minute and 15 seconds of the routine.
Achievable: Smiling is something I can see myself achieve.
Relevant: Smiling during the routine will help improve my routine.
Time-bound: I will achieve smiling for 50% of my routine 1 week before my ballroom dance competition, which is on _____.
2. Bet on your strength
Help set yourself up for success and rely on your strengths. Think about what dance you not only love but one that you know you are good at. It makes the most sense to showcase what you are good at! Here are some common dances people perform for their first ballroom dance competition: rumba, cha-cha, swing, waltz, fox-trot hustle.
3. Set the date, and lock it in your calendar.
While this may seem like a very obvious step, it is still necessary. Mark every single calendar, whether paper or phone, with you ballroom dance competition date!
5. Practice!
It is important to think about how you are going to practice. A great way to rehearse your competitive routine is to attend as many social dance parties as possible. These parties are often held at a dance studio, which means you can practice your floor craft and dance in front of fellow party-goers –or in other words, an audience!
6. Prepared vs. Ready
To help you begin successfully preparing for the dance competition, take advantage of the times you can effectively practice dancing. And as I’ve shared, practice parties are a fantastic way to do so!
To help you make that shift from being physically and mentally prepared to being ready, practice at the studio, as you would at the competition. By adopting that attitude, it will keep you on the track of success and you will feel ready for your competition!
7. Floor Craft & Backup Plan. 
Floor craft is a set of rules, often unwritten, of how to manage and adapt your space and dance in relation to other dancers and objects on the dance floor. While a backup plan, is how the performer will react to any changes on the floor. Whenever I explain floor craft and backup plans, I tend to visualize a jar that is filled with rocks and sand. The floor craft is the main components of the routine (rocks), while the backup plan is how I plan to fill in any unexpected gaps (sand).
8. Pack ahead of time
A few times, I have learned the hard that packing the night or two before is best. Packing and preparing the morning of the dance competitions makes the day ten times more stressful than it needs to be. By beginning this big day in a stressful manner, can put a kink into your mood, which may affect you later during the competition. So, please, pack the night before.
9. Your bigger competition is YOU
At the end of the day, remember that the biggest competition is not going to be other dancers at the competition – your biggest competition is you. Treat yourself with grace, respect, and love.
Day of the Competition & During
10. Bring snacks and water.
Have you ever seen athletes without a water bottle near them? Probably not and the same should go for you! It is essential for dancers to stay hydrated during the day of the competition. And it is equally important to both eat and have snacks the day of the competition. Often times, there are few to no food options at these events, so be sure to pack a few snacks.
11. Make sure your costumes are ready
To help make sure your costume is ready for the competition, invest in a garment bag. A garment bag ensures your costume will not interfere with anything else that you may have packed.
12. Emergency Kit
Like any other big event, unexpected things can happen at dance competitions: from a costume malfunction to a hangry moment. You want to make sure you are prepared for a variety of situations. From my experiences at competitions (like the time my dress ripped or the time I lost a few pieces of 
jewelry) I learned the most helpful things to have in your dancer emergency kit include: extra tights/socks, bobby pins, deodorant, shoes brush, Band- Aids, pain- relieving medication, eyelash glue, a couple snacks, and mints.
13. Double check your hotel, make-up and hair reservations
It is better to be safe than sorry! I have only heard of horror stories about dancers arriving at wrong hotels to incorrectly booking appointments on the day of the dance competition. Please confirm your makeup and hair appointment; and if you need to bring any accessories, like a rhinestone hair piece. Thankfully, I cannot add to this list of stressfully and horrifying accounts, but I cannot stress enough to double check all your bookings and appointments!
14. Arrive early 
To help alleviate some stress, depart early to arrive early! Arriving early to your dance competitions, allows you to have some time to settle in at the hotel and gives you some down time. I have learned that is beneficial to have some time to yourself before the competition, so that you can clear your mind and begin focusing on the time ahead. If you are dancing during early morning sessions starting at 8am, I do recommend arriving night before at the hotel.
15. Order videos and pictures
Professionally capturing all your hard work, whether it is your first or your twenty-seventh competition, is a powerful thing to do. Not only does it allow you to cherish this important event, but you are able specifically document your strengths and things you can work on!
During the Competition
16. Warm up, get hot
Similar to other sporting events, you see the athletes warming up and stretching, and dancing competitions are no different. It is extremely important for you to warm up your muscles, so that nothing unexpected happens –like pulling a muscle in the middle of your routine!
17. Cheer and smile. 
During the competition, expect to be nervous and full of excitement. One thing I have found to best cope with these feels is to smile and cheer for your fellow dancers! Releasing this energy can help settle your nerves and simultaneously support your friends (or foes) on the floor!
18. Greet the Judges, and other competitors
No matter what sport or event people attend, judges can be an intimidating figure. To help break the ice with judges, say hello and introduce yourself. And hey, you may be lucky enough to snap a selfie with them!
19. Keep tabs
Keeping tabs on the dance schedule can help you feel a bit more aware of the day’s events, but it also is helpful to your coach. At competitions, often coaches have multiple dancers they work with, and are appreciative of the additional help.
20. Take the floor quickly
Just like jumping into the pool, promptly taking the floor allows you to plunge into the experience. Making that bold statement will help make those butterflies flutter away!
21. Everything can happen, Falling, recovery and smile
Like almost anything else in life, many things can go wrong and do. Every dancer has taken a tumble on the floor. While in the moment, it is gut-wrenching, it is by far more important what you do immediately afterwards: stay calm, get up, and continue –with a huge smile, of course! As dancers, we know that quitting is not an option, whether it be at the studio and especially at a dance competition.
22. Take a Bow
Taking a bow creates a clear end to not only your routine, but to all your hard work. You are taking a 
bow for the audience, but to yourself as well. But once you do take a bow, you will be able to relish and appreciate the fruits of your effort with a celebratory drink in hand!
23. Have fun!
This is so important! Often times, people approach dance competitions with a serious attitude and forget to enjoy the moment. So, soak in the moment and have fun!
After the Competition
24. After competition feedback
The feedback you receive from judges is proof of all the hard work you put forth in your routine, but it also highlights how much more you can tap into your potential. These comments will serve as a helpful starting point for you as you begin preparing for your next competition.
25. Repeat your prep week
Often enough after competitions, dancers drastically and immediately alter their schedules after the competition. To continue on to the track to success, maintain the same intensity for the next several lessons. During that time you can apply what you learned from the competitions. Moreover, you will allow your body to slowly adjust to a normal non-competition routine.
26. Invest in coaching sessions
Once receiving the judge’s comments, you are on your way to take your dancing to the next level. But to help you reach that next level, you will need to involve your dance coach. Your coach can provide additional insights and different perspectives you may not have previously considered. Plus, meeting with a dancing coach is also a great time to recognize and celebrate your successes and determine the next steps in your dancing journey.
27. Set new goals 
Defining a clear vision immediately after receiving crucial feedback from the judges, makes a huge difference. You will be able to have a specific and clear goal to work towards.
Looking back on the dance competitions I participated in, the whole process can be overwhelming and nerve-wrecking, but it is honestly one of the most exhilarating experiences! I hope that after reading over my checklist, you feel more prepared and comfortable with your upcoming competitions. And if you happen to have lingering questions or thoughts, feel free to reach out and contact me.
