Competition 101
How do I Find a Partner?
One of the first steps in competing in collegiate ballroom is finding a partner. Our team offers partner search meetings where you can meet dancers of various levels looking to compete. What should you be looking for in a partnership? Just a like a relationship of any sort (platonic, romantic, etc.), not everyone is compatible. Here are a few things to look for in a partnership:
Height
Yes, it may sound shallow, but a significant height difference can be detrimental to your frame and your presence on the dance floor as one unit. If you are using a partner search Facebook group like this one, it is important to list you height with shoes, or without shoes.
Commitment
How often do you want to practice? Do you want to go to every competition, or only some? How busy is your schedule? These are a few factors that you need to take into consideration when choosing a partner. If you plan to go to every single practice, but your potential partner is not so keen on doing so, you may not be the best match.
Chemistry
Although this may not be romantic (although sometimes it is!), chemistry plays a big role in how you dance together as a unit. You have to be able to feed off one another and keep the verbal and dance/body communication open. If one person in the partnership is unwilling to compromise, this can cause an unstable or unhappy partnership. It's important to communicate from the beginning about any concerns you may have so that both parties are aware.
Learning Styles
Some learn quickly, and others take longer to learn. Patience is key, but there can only be so much discrepancy between your learning styles. Don't be afraid to speak up when it's just not feeling right. The more you are both aware of each others' weaknesses and habits, the more you can help each other out to become stronger dancers. Struggling with timing? Sit down, listen to music, and count out the time with your partner. A move not feeling right? Ask another teammate to dance it with you and see if it feels any different. There are lots of solutions to closing the gap.
Its time to go shopping!
Now that you've selected a partner, it's time to get geared up!
Shoes
Our team takes semesterly shoe trips to Patterson's Back Bay Dancewear in Burlington, MA. Patterson's provides dance wear (tap, ballet, ballroom, etc.) and shoes! Here is a quick guide to finding the right pair for you:
Followers
If you're dancing all four styles, it is recommended that you purchase Latin shoes if you do not want to purchase another pair immediately. Look for a color that is close to your skin tone - you don't want to bring
too much attention to your feet. Generally, these heels run from 2.5'-3.5' tall. These shoes are sandal-like. If you're only dancing smooth and standard, you will purchase shoes specific to those styles, which are generally 2'-2.5' tall and are closed-toe.
Leaders
Standard shoes have roughly a 1.5', while leaders' Latin shoes can be 2-2.5'. Generally, you'll want to purchase smooth/standard shoes if you only want to make one purchase. There are usually two options - split sole and full sole. Split sole, is, as you may have guessed, split in the middle. This allows for more flexibility when pointing the toe, and is recommended for practice shoes and for Latin.
What's a good fit?
Your shoes should be pretty snug, but not to the point where they hurt your feet as soon as you try them on. They will expand over time. If they seem to fit "well/normally" from the start, they will expand and become too large later on. Ask your senior teammates or the store employees for assistance with sizing. Latin shoes for followers are generally about three sizes smaller than your actual street shoe size, but may vary!
Breaking in Your Shoes
No matter what you do, this is going to be a painful process. Our best advice to you is to wear them around your dorm room with thick socks on to stretch them out. Carry a few bandaids and Neosporin with you the first few times you practice with the shoes on!
Dress for Success
Here's a quick guide on what to wear at your next competition!
Followers
Newcomers
Congratulations on competing for your first semester! Followers, for Latin, you'll want to wear a dress that's above the knee. This dress can be tighter but should not restrict your movement. For smooth and standard, choose a longer, flowier dress that hits around the ankles. Generally, costumes cannot be worn at the newcomer level, but check the college's competition page for more information. A costume is defined as anything that you cannot purchase at a normal clothing store.
Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Beyond
So you've been dancing a while. Time to turn up the glamour! At this point, you're allowed to wear costumes! Most collegiate teams have a stash of dresses for you to rent or borrow for competition. Generally, the more bling, the higher the level. If you think it's too much, it probably is. Your dancing is the most important thing, but a well-fitting dress can help catch the attention of the judges.
Our team has dresses available for rent for all levels and styles. To try on costumes, please contact any of our E-board members.