Dancing In the Wings

The Elephant on the Stage? Sportsmanship ...

11/11/2024

Sportsmanship can make or break your festival/competition experience

With over thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher, and mentor, I have witnessed both poor etiquette and incredibly supportive interactions in the dance world. There have been times when I left an event feeling disheartened, questioning what I had done to deserve such treatment, but I’ve also had the privilege of experiencing the kindness and appreciation that truly uplifts an artist.

Negative encounters can easily overshadow an event, while positive ones can inspire you to keep dancing. I have always strived to be the kind of person I wish to encounter in the industry. Below are some ways you can help foster a positive dance experience, whether you are a performer, teacher, adjudicator, or parent.

Qualities of Good Sportsmanship in Dance
Sportsmanship in dance goes beyond just being polite—it's about fostering a positive, respectful environment for everyone. The following qualities contribute to sportsmanlike behavior:

Be Supportive
If you don’t perform as well as you hoped, resist the urge to take your disappointment out on others. Being a team player, especially during group performances, is crucial. Support can make all the difference. Encouragement, even small gestures like a word of encouragement or a high-five, can help lift someone's spirits and refocus them on their next step.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
A negative attitude can lower the morale of the entire group, turning a competition into an unpleasant experience. It's important to stay positive, even in tough situations. Childish or inappropriate behavior can diminish the enjoyment and professionalism of the event. Positivity should always be a priority, especially in festivals and competitions where teamwork and morale are key.
Show Respect
Regardless of the results, showing respect to others is essential. Never belittle your peers, whether they won or lost. If you think someone made a mistake, avoid making harsh comments. Respecting both your teammates and competitors helps maintain a good reputation. Complaining about the adjudicator’s decisions regarding marks or placements also reflects poorly on your sportsmanship.
Be Willing to Learn
If things don’t go as planned, instead of blaming others, focus on learning from your experience. Identify the areas where you struggled—whether it was spacing, timing, or technique—and dedicate time to improving those skills. Constructive self-reflection will help you grow as a dancer and increase your chances of future success.
Practice Self-Control
Dance festivals and competitions can be emotionally charged. It’s important to practice emotional control and stay focused on your performance. Keeping your composure helps you stay in the right mindset and encourages others to do the same.
Congratulate Other Performers
A key quality of a successful dancer is the ability to appreciate the achievements of others. Take the time to congratulate fellow dancers or schools on their performances, costumes, or choreography. Genuine appreciation fosters positive relationships and makes the experience more rewarding for everyone.
How You Can Support Your Dancer as a Teacher or Parent

When engaging with your dancers, whether in conversation or in their presence, it's crucial to maintain a positive and supportive tone about the event, their classmates, other families, competing dance schools, and the adjudicators. Your influence at the start and end of their day holds significant power in guiding them to be the best version of themselves, both as dancers and as individuals within the dance community.

As a parent, show appreciation for the effort your child and their teachers have invested into their performance. Dance is hard work, and even if you’re not completely satisfied with their performance, acknowledge the effort they put in. Understand that they may already feel disappointed about their performance, and your support can help them stay motivated and focused on growth.

As a teacher, it is essential to always highlight the positive aspects of your students' performances and congratulate them for their efforts. If there are areas for improvement, frame it as an opportunity to learn and grow. The way you choose your words has a lasting impact on how your dancers perceive the experience and how they move forward from it. A positive, constructive approach will help them build resilience and a deeper love for the art.

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Listen to your Body's 'Whispers'

1/28/2024

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Avoiding Serious Injury in Dance
Listen to your body, make appropriate adjustments, and communicate with your teachers.
This time of the dance season, if dancers aren’t careful, can lead to preventable injuries. The good news is that most injuries are avoidable with the right approach.
As with any physical activity, there are ways to reduce the risk of injury and maximize your chances of an injury-free season. The dance season is structured to promote gradual growth and peak physical fitness. However, issues often arise after summer break or the "two-week" break in December/January. While these breaks are necessary for both mental and physical recovery, many dancers take this time to completely rest, resulting in a loss of muscle tone and strength. The problem occurs when dancers return to full-intensity training too quickly after this break, pushing their bodies beyond their limits without listening to the early warning signs.
The Best Approach: Active Rest
During breaks, engage in “active rest” activities. Go for walks, practice barre work, do PBT or PCT exercises, or perform light conditioning. These activities help keep your muscles engaged and active while still allowing for recovery. Teachers typically ease into more intense training in January, but it’s important to be mindful of how your body feels and communicate accordingly.
Key Tips to Avoid Injury:

Warm Up Properly
Especially if you’ve been sitting for a while between classes, take time to properly warm up before each session. Spend a few minutes doing the stretches and warm-ups you’ve learned from your teachers.
Review Movements
If you're unsure of a movement, ask your teacher to review it with you. Practicing the correct movement patterns will help solidify proper technique and reduce injury risk.
Prioritize Technique
Don’t ignore your technique. This is especially important in ballet, where movement patterns are painstakingly trained. Proper use of feet, plié, turnout, core strength, and body alignment are critical to injury prevention. Be mindful of engaging the right muscles and maintaining good posture throughout all movements.
Ask Questions
If you feel uncertain about executing a new or familiar movement, ask your teacher for clarification. Being proactive about your understanding will help prevent missteps that can lead to injury.
Distinguish Between Normal Fatigue and Pain
Learn to recognize the difference between normal muscle fatigue and potential injury. For example, muscle soreness after a tough class, such as aching quads after many developpés, is typically a sign of muscle repair. If the soreness persists, ensure proper hydration, nutrition, and rest. Consider BCAAs to help minimize muscle fatigue and speed up recovery.
Concerning Pain: If you feel sharp joint pain, or experience burning sensations in your limbs, these are signs that need immediate attention. For example, if your ankle hurts every time you jump, it's important to communicate this with your teacher and take appropriate action.

What to Do If You Suspect Injury:
Listen to your body when it signals pain. If you experience joint pain, sharp pain, or any burning sensation, stop and consult your teacher immediately. Share the details of your pain and make a plan to address it. It’s important to see a doctor to rule out serious injury.
Teachers are trained to modify movements or recommend rest to prevent further injury. Remember, silence is not martyrdom—pushing through pain can often lead to worse injuries that could take you out for a longer period, or even permanently. Taking a day or two off to recover is far better than pushing through and potentially missing weeks or the entire season.
Early action is key: address the pain early, seek guidance, and avoid dancing through the discomfort to prevent more severe injuries later on.

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