Wearing Your Emotions in JnJ's

[Kelly]

I recently got called out on something from a head judge who offered his feedback to me after a JnJ. It was an interesting piece of information that I'd thought I'd share... I was dancing in the Advanced Pre-Lims and the last partner I had gotten was, in my opinion, not your average advanced level dancer. Anyway, apparently it showed in my body language that I was not enjoying the dance ect. ect. Don't get me wrong, I didn't make any type of remark or facial expression that was not good sportsman like. However one of the judges pointed out to me that he could just "tell" that I wasn't happy with the partner I had gotten.

Now with both leaders and followers we ALL get partners that we don't have amazing dances with in JnJ. But I thought it was funny that, without me knowing, that I was subconciously dancing differently with this partner....

Now, the judge just basically said that no matter what you always have to look like your having the most amazing dance! I agree with everything that this judge had told me, and thought it was very useful. Bottom line, I probably would have never known I was doing that unless it was brought to my attention.......

I just thought I'd share cause it was useful competition feedback! :)
Any thoughts??

...and no, I did not make finals.

[coastswing]

That's great feedback to get....probably not good to hear at the moment, but at least you know to work on something.

I've seen this happen....and much more extreme than yours...as in rolling eyes when they see their partner coming....another was a leader said to someone else when lining up, "wow you sure got lucky" or "I wish I was you" something along those lines....granted this was most likely a compliment to the ability of the follow that was with the other person...but there next to him is HIS follower (now known as chopped liver). Again, the intent was most likely not to be offensive to one with the compliment to the other (said with rose colored glasses on), but still something to be careful of.

Side Note...If you want to avoid giving your follower a bad emotion to wear during JnJ....I learned long ago, NEVER pull out a move that you just learned an hour before the competition in a workshop....:p

[CrazyKate]

I haven't heard that feedback from a judge, but I've heard it from my friends - which is just as bad. It's just one more place to work on my dancing - 'cause if I can't adapt to my leader, am I really an advanced dancer?

[Jerry Wang]

Yeah, I remember getting that feedback from a judge as well as from my friends. Better yet - how about while competing during the prelims, you hear "JERRY - SMILE! SMILE!". Of course, it did the job since I laughed and relaxed and started having fun with my partners. :)

[Dima]

Better yet - how about while competing during the prelims, you hear "JERRY - SMILE! SMILE!". Of course, it did the job since I laughed and relaxed and started having fun with my partners. :)

I think that's more to break your concentration than your attitude towards your partner.

[Jerry Wang]

I think that's more to break your concentration than your attitude towards your partner.

Whatever the motive, it's appreciated. :)

[Arjay]

As a judge, I will tell you... showing me you enjoy the dance more than the next couple can mean the difference between 1st/5th and not in at all...

all factors equal in terms of technique, style, partnership, etc....some judges will break ties with who wants it more....

[aperakis]

That's really helpful to hear because my biggest problem when I compete is getting so nervous about being out there and thinking about all of the things that I'm doing wrong that I forget to just dance and actually have a good time and focus on my partner...I'm mildy insane when it comes to competing...maybe it has something to do with having a random # pinned to my butt...I don't know?

I finally posted...don't make fun of me...this is the first and last time...

[Connie]

Yeah I just saw a whole slew of images from Tea Party, and found that even in my social dancing I have a plethora of faces that I give out to whomever. And it really has nothing to do with who I have as a partner. Some people find it hilarious, and simply laugh at me while I'm making these faces, where as others who are really self conscious get offended. Most of the time it's a completely selfish thing... like I make a weird face because I totally goofed up my footwork or something. Or I'm just really concentrating on the music and trying to figure out a rhythm. In the meantime, I don't even know but somehow my face has completely piccasoed itself into something less than attractive. Does that happen to other people too?

[chandra]

haha, Connie, I do the same thing. I "fish hook" face all the time!

[Eric]

I know that for every competition I've watched, my eyes are usually drawn to the people who seem to be enjoying themselves *and their partners* the most. The dancer who is emoting is creating that outward energy that draws an audience in.

That said, I personally find the "fake smile" annoying. There are people who put on this plastic face, and it just doesn't read the same as genuine pleasure. Most of the time, this fake look is meant to get attention, and I find it distracting and deterring. I would much rather watch the couples who smile only for their partners than the ones who smile to get you to watch them....

[WestieTash]

But isn't a fake smile better than a "holy crap" or a "what the f***" face?

[Eric]

But isn't a fake smile better than a "holy crap" or a "what the f***" face?

In my opinion, no. I'd rather see genuine fear or confusion than posing and ego any day of the week. Plus, it helps judges get a better assessment of either you or your partner.

My guidance counselor in high school used to say, "If you have a choice between getting an A in a regular class or a B in an honors class, get an A in the honors class." If you have a choice of faking enjoyment or genuinely fearing for your life - genuinely enjoy yourself. Why compete if you don't enjoy at least some aspect of it? (rhetorical question!)

[westcoastjunkie]

My guidance counselor in high school used to say, "If you have a choice between getting an A in a regular class or a B in an honors class, get an A in the honors class." If you have a choice of faking enjoyment or genuinely fearing for your life - genuinely enjoy yourself. Why compete if you don't enjoy at least some aspect of it? (rhetorical question!)

Love that! :D

[heatherleigh]

I've seen the eye rolling, under the breath comments and wtf looks on the PRO level.. and I don't like it there either. I think what Kelly Casanova says about your draws are competely how you should look at it. "The partner you get is exactly the partner you wanted!". If you're out there to have a good time... then have a good time damnit! :)

My problem is not that I don't smile... and I haven't gotton in trouble for getting the sour look in any way... I show in my face in social comps when I mess up... I'm getting better about it, but that's the one I most get in trouble with by way of emotions. Normally they know because I start laughing or I mouth "I'm sorry". When enough of your mentors and friends yell at you, you learn to drop that out of your dance.

[Kelly]

My problem is not that I don't smile... and I haven't gotton in trouble for getting the sour look in any way... I show in my face in social comps when I mess up... I'm getting better about it, but that's the one I most get in trouble with by way of emotions. Normally they know because I start laughing or I mouth "I'm sorry". When enough of your mentors and friends yell at you, you learn to drop that out of your dance.


Haha...yeah I do the ever so popular sticking my tongue out when I mess up!!! Sometimes I can't control it! Then its followed by laughing or a "whoops"...Lol....have to work on that too!:tonguesmilie:

[whipkitten]

I stick my tongue out too! It's a bad habit from social dancing and when I compete sometimes I can't help myself. :tonguesmilie: There i go again!

I also have tendency to look down when I am unsure about something that I am doing. I am working on that too.