Practise performing

It is important to practise performing in low-stress situations such as practice competitions run by your club (affectionately known as lollipop/chocolate competitions) where you have the opportunity to perform in a familiar environment and with people you know. There are noticeable differences between dancing in lessons, at mock competitions, interclubs, zone and intra-club competitions. I once read that clubs cannot use their normal class venues to host an interclub. This provides a level playing field for all physie girls and ladies as competitors will not have had a chance to regularly dance at the venue. However, girls/ladies may have danced at the venue before for a biennial interclub or participate in other fitness activities at the chosen venue.

What's the difference between class and competition?

• time of day
• audience
• dancing with others (not from your own club) can be off-putting when they perform moves at a slower/faster pace
• expectations
• grooming
• venue and environment
• anxiety
• louder music (I only realised this last week at an interclub)
• the material of the hall floor (I also only just realised the impact of this on foot grip)
• harder to access drinking water & bathroom facilities especially when you're in a leotard

How can we create our own opportunities to mimic a performance/competition?

• wear competition attire to class (leotard, hair)
• perform in front of family and friends
• participate in opportunities given by the club (fete performances, showcases)
• participate in practice competitions
• enter yourself into a [talent] show (especially for girls in school)

For more tips check out Practice Makes Progress.