Oranges and Stinky Socks

Ballroom Competition Dance Prep

Some people wear the same socks all week. I stock up on oranges and Baby Ruths. I also spray tan, semi-permanently dye my hair black, drink lots of water, and eat at Olive Garden the night before. Every ballroom competitor and partnership has a competition game plan, a strategy or routine that they use to help themselves be at their best for the competition. Some things are habit, others are preference, but some are universal among the top dancers. I don’t know if I would call myself an expert, but this blog will detail comp prep tips that have helped Casey and I in our competitive dancing.

Make a plan

Your preparation should actually start months before. I’ll detail this in another blog post, but the general idea is to sit down with your partner and coaches and outline your goals for the comp and set up a practice and lesson schedule that will help put you on track to perform at your peak at the big comps. After all, “a goal without a plan is just a wish” (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). I also like this one by Benjamin Franklin: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Prepare in advance

You need to think about all the small details to allow yourself time to prepare everything. What dress will you wear? Do you need accessories? Do any repairs need to be made? Are you doing your own hair/make-up or do you need to make an appointment? Will you need new shoes? Are you stoning them? Do you have stones? Do you need glue or an applicator? When will you stone them?

There are so many small details that play into the greater picture of a successful weekend that none should be left to chance. Make a checklist and a timeline, and begin preparing early so you’re not stressed the week (or, heaven forbid, the day) of the event.

Nourish the body

Eat good food! Your body becomes what you put into it, and if you’re snacking on late night McDonald’s take out and a Diet Coke, you’re not going to have the fuel your body will need. Try to eliminate sugar and sodas. At least two weeks before, start having good carbohydrates for dinner, every night if possible. Your muscles will need to start storing the energy early. Don’t skip breakfast!

Be sure to drink lots of water! Most Americans don’t drink near enough water to be properly hydrated, and when you’re competing, dehydration will kill your performance. Bring at least a gallon of water per person to the comp and stay hydrated between rounds.

Get sleep! This almost goes without saying, but your body needs to be well rested to perform at its maximum. Keep a consistent sleep schedule, preferably one that allows you to get to bed early and wake up early. Your brain will thank you.

Enjoy the moment

I’ll have another whole blog about how to mentally approach the competition, but there is definitely something to be said for just enjoying the process and relaxing after you've done everything you can do. Remember, it's not worth worrying about what you can't control.