Common Mistakes to Avoid in Freestyle Dance Contests

Freestyle Dance is a form of dance where the dancers don’t have a set of pre-established dance styles in particular. It is a form of dance that gives the dancer complete freedom to choose the movements to express his thoughts and emotions. But, this freedom can also lead to some common mistakes that can spoil any performance at a freestyle dancing contest. Whether you are a pro dancer or a new learner, there are some mistakes that you might end up making if you are participating in any dance style or participating in contest like India’s International Groovefest (IIGF) Let us dive in and take a look at the mistakes that we bet you don’t want to make in any of these freestyle dancing contests.

1. Not prepping up –

Why is it important to prepare yourself?

You may think that a freestyle dance means it is all about improvisation and doesn’t need any prior preparation. We hate to break it to you, in a freestyle dance be it disco, contemporary, Bollywood or hip-hop an unpolished dance routine can make your performance look unorganized and keep you from achieving success. 

Here’s what you should do

There are two things that you must work on. First is a consistent practice and a proper warm-up. As the saying goes “Practice makes the man perfect” Your consistent practice will take you a long way. Even those small-duration practices will make a huge impact on your performances in any freestyle dance contest. A good warm-up is very important to avoid any injuries during your performance. It also improves your flexibility which helps in any hip-hop, contemporary, disco or Bollywood dance contests.

2. Ignorance cannot always be a Bliss

Dancing in Sync

One of the most important parts of dance performance is played by the music. You have to dance to the beat. If your dance moves are not in sync visually with the music it will put your performance to a toss.

Here’s what you should do

You should listen to a lot of music of different genres to be able to identify the beats and the rhythm, which help you dance to the beats of the music. Also, you should practice your dance routines on different types of music to achieve your ‘A’ Game.

3. Don’t  open a can of worms with complicated moves

Keep it simple

I’m sure some of your knotty moves will make an impression on the juries and audiences, however, these moves can lead to some high-level errors. Whether you’re in a freestyle disco dancing contest or a hip-hop solo dance contest, complex moves are very risky.

Here’s what you should do

You should focus mainly on executing your simple moves flawlessly rather than trying to perform some risky complex moves. Showcase your simple moves with confidence and see the magic happen. You will always get that little appreciation from the juries for your well-executed simple dance moves rather than some missed complicated moves.

4. Not making the most out of the space

The right use of the stage

If you dance in just one spot, it will make your dance look gridlocked and boring. A dancer should make proper use of the stage irrespective of the type of freestyle style contest you are participating in.

Here’s what you should do

Choose those dance moves that will give you the liberty of moving across the stage smoothly. Plan your moves well in advance and then practice moving in different part of the stage in advance. Utilizing the entire stage with some dynamic dance moves will keep your audience engaged throughout your performance. 

5. Confidence is your best move

Move with confidence

The chemical ‘X’ to full pack performance is your confidence. Your confidence will be seen through your dance moves and your body language. So be confident in every contest be it a contemporary dance contest or a hip-hop solo dance contest.

Here’s what you should do

You can practice your dance performance in front of a small group of friends or family, this will definitely boost your confidence. Affirmations work wonders, keep imagining yourself performing fantastically, and see the magic happen. Even if you are nervous, move with confidence.

6. Getting variation  

Not being repetitive

Repetitive moves can make your dance very boring and monotonous. Whether it is a freestyle disco dancing contest or a Bollywood dance contest group you need to show variation in your dance moves to keep the audience engaged.

Here’s what you should do

Keep learning and practicing new moves so you can add variation to your dance routine. Also, keep some room for a few spontaneous movements which will show how creative you are. Mix and match is always in, try a fusion of different styles of dance forms and dance moves.

7. You cannot ignore the audience

Keep the audience engaged

You need to build a connection with the audience through your dance and expressions to keep the audience engaged in your performance. Ignoring your audience will make them lose interest in your dance. This is a key component in every dance contest be it hip-hop solo dance contests to contemporary dance contests.

Here’s what you should do

You should make eye contact with the audience to make them feel connected with your performance. Emotions and expressions can also make a connection with the audience. Your performance has to be for your audience and only then it will become a truly power-packed performance.

8. Wear it right

Wearing the right costume

Your costume can break or make your performance. An unfitted costume can create a lot of distraction and discomfort between your dance moves. It can also restrict certain moves. This is applicable for all freestyle dance contest.

 Here’s what you should do

You have to choose a costume that will allow you to move freely without any discomfort. Also, the costume that you choose has to be suitable for the type of dance style that you are performing. And a costume rehearsal is a must. 

9. Don’t underestimate the contest 

Keep up the spirit of the contest

Your ignorance and arrogance can keep you unprepared. Whether you’re in a freestyle disco dancing contest, hip hop solo dance contest, contemporary dance contest, or a Bollywood dance contest group you have to take the contest seriously. 

Here’s what you should do

Always work on improving your dance. Closely observe other dancers and try to learn 1 new thing from each of them, see what is making them successful. Respect your performers and have a healthy contest.

10. Don’t skip warm-ups

Warm-ups and cool-downs are very important

A proper warm-up and cool-down can prevent any injuries and mishaps. This is an evitable part of all dance contests, from hip-hop solo dance contests to contemporary dance contests.

Here’s what you should do

Use the stretching techniques for your warm-ups and cool-downs. For warm-ups try Dynamic stretching and for cool down use static stretching. (*keep the warm-up and cool-down sessions a part of your daily dance routine too)

CONCLUSION

Whether they are freestyle disco dancing contests, hip hop solo dance contests, contemporary dance contests or Bollywood dance contest groups, freestyle dance contests provide an opportunity to display your originality and skill. By not making these common mistakes of lack of rehearsal, disregard of rhythm, over-elaborating movements on stage, excessive use of space, and insecurity on the stage due to familiarity with others’ moves done before in different ways and countries before never been duplicated again where those people’s lacks confidence, for instance, shyness, etc., the audience being unnoticed by you while performing on the stage without connection through eyes contact with some members who did not have any idea about that expose; wearing wrong kind clothes during a performance by looking too sexy or unsuitable costumes of dancers; underestimating other performers’ abilities because you think they are not as good as yours; and ignoring the things like warm-up exercises and cooling-down activities then your dancing can become more impressive and successful. Keep practicing always, be confident forever, but most importantly enjoy free styling dancing.