It is always thrilling as well as challenging when you prepare to participate in a freestyle dance competition for the very first time. The spirit of the performance and the opportunity to demonstrate the best in front of the audience can be very motivating, but to reach this stage, you need to follow certain steps. Whether you are an experienced dancer, or if you are a beginner, this ultimate guide will help you prepare before you get onto the dance floor.

There are many forms of freestyle dance competitions. Let’s look at some of the most popular ones:

Solo Battles:

In the knockout sessions of this type of dance competition, dancers perform in pairs, and then move to the next level.

Crew Battles:

This type of dance competition is organized between teams of dancers.

Ciphers:

A round dance whose performers tend to make turns on the floor.

Learn the rules of the international-level dance competition as well as the specific guidelines required in the competition. Preparing beforehand is important and knowing what to expect will help you prepare for the Indian group dance competition.

Select Your Attire and Tune:

Freestyle dance can be appreciated in hip-hop, popping, locking, breaking, etc. If you want to achieve success in this form of dance, you should decide on a particular style that you like and are interested in. Firstly, decide on your style and then go on looking for songs that can turn into your potential track. This way, you can become versatile and be prepared for any music that comes your way during the international-level dance competition.

Learn Your Vocabulary of Moves:

In freestyle, it is critical to have several choreographed steps. Practicing a variety of stances, kicks, punches, and movements in the specific dance style chosen. This will surely provide more choices that you can use during the performance. It is also helpful to practice transitions between the moves to make your performance appear well-coordinated.

Tip: Try dancing with a camera and watching the video to see which parts need to be polished and whether cuts are smooth.

Build your stamina and strength

Freestyle dance can be rather aggressive physically. Integrate cardio activities as well as strength, and flexibility exercises in your daily practice to enhance endurance and physical body for India’s biggest dance competition. This one is similar to cardio, but there are more explosive movements involved such as Plyometric exercises that incorporate movements such as jumps squats, and burpees.

Master Musicality

Musicality is the skills used in movement, the interpretation of music, and a person’s ability to identify and move to the beat, or rhythms and pitch. Attend club events and dance competitions to enhance your musicality. To control dynamics, focus on the beats and rhythm pattern of the selections and make attempts to strike them correctly

Exercise: You can perform freestyle to a song that has a compound rhythm. Concentrate on the movements to convey something about the track – about its features, its meaning’.

Practice Freestyling Regularly

One aspect that students must embrace to become comfortable with freestyling is the number of reps they put in. Spend time specifically focused on practice; this is an opportunity to try new moves and variations on the routine. Practice can be done at home or with friends and by joining dance ciphers in Indian group dance competitions.

Tip: In the same way, it is recommended you simulate your practice sessions with a timer because time is limited in an international-level dance competition.

Observe and learn how other dancers perform

Watch performances from other fellow freestyle dancers who are more experienced. Videos of past performances may be motivational and informative. How they move, use the instruments, sing and perform the song, and interpret can be compared with other artists or even the best artists to determine their uniqueness.

Resources: Existing music channels, dance tutorials, and live international-level dance competitions are the best sources to look for high-quality dance material.

Develop Your Stage Presence

Being well-placed on the stage is very important in Indian group freestyle dance competitions. The skills include practicing on stage while focusing on the dancers at the back. Refine the movements of your facial muscles and your body so that they illustrate the essence of the song.

Exercise: To make yourself look more natural when performing, we advise that you perform in front of a mirror or record your performance.

Style Your Clothing and Equipment:

Select an appropriate attire that allows you to move freely during the international-level dance competition. Think about the type of dance you will be doing and choose clothes that will blend well with the dances to be performed. Be certain that the shoes you choose are appropriate for the dance floor and offer enough breathing space for your feet.

Additional undergarments:

(if a performer’s clothing tears off) You must also understand that preparation of the mind is just as crucial as the training of the body for IIGF. There are various techniques that you can use to visually prepare yourself for the event. Take time each day to mentally rehearse an effective dancing display on the stage. They can also help to build confidence and decrease the amount of stress you feel.

Exercise:

Use mindfulness or meditation techniques to reduce competition anxiety and keep your attention in the right place. During the days leading to the competition, try as much as possible to give your body the best rest that it deserves. Do not overtrain and allow your body some time to rest and recharge.

If you want to perform to the optimum level, then you should make sure that your body and mind are fully rested. Be sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Drink plenty of water and use good nutrition practices. The rest of the days are necessary to avoid injuries and to help the body recover from constant exercising.  Avoid getting nervous on the day of the competition. You should have a routine that would keep you in the right condition. It is important to get to the IIGF venue early enough to get a feel of the environment and to carry out a comprehensive warm-up session. Play a few songs in your playlist to set the right mood.

We have prepared a checklist for you that will help you on the day of the international-level dance competition:

• Arrive early
• Warm-up thoroughly
• Stay hydrated and avoid sugary drinks
• Have a light meal as this will provide the energy needed to conduct the day’s activities.
• Listen to your favorite pump-up music playlist.
• Perform basic breathing exercises like inhaling and exhaling to calm your mind and body
• Think of all the best and happiest memories of your life to avoid being nervous  

Conclusion

The process of preparing for your first freestyle dance competition in IIGF is one of the most thrilling and challenging paths that needs commitment, hours of rehearsing, and the right attitude. In simple terms, you need to know the competition format, select your style of dancing, build stamina, and pay emphasis on musicality. And only then will you be dancing impressively. Of course, the key thing here is to have fun and to let your body do what it wants to do while dancing. Break a leg, and enjoy dancing on stage!