I used to have a lot of faulty ideas in my head about lindy hop competitions. I never stopped to think about them until after I’d been dancing for a long time.
So many people feel bad after competitions. The primary thought in their heads is, “Why didn’t I place? I’m a better dancer than they are!” During my year recovering from a back injury, I had plenty of time to watch and think. Today I’m sharing what I’ve learned while sitting on the sidelines, and how I approach competitions now.
The first thing you need to know:
Competitions are not objective.
Lindy hop competitions are not without bias, and they do not objectively measure your dance level. At the core, competitions measure how well you are conforming to the judges’ values, conscious and unconscious. We don’t use objective measures (such as points) in lindy hop; that’s part of what people love about our dance culture.
With a different panel of judges, the exact same competition will be judged differently. You can see this reflected in the score sheets sometimes. One judge will rank a couple first, another will rank them dead last. Obviously this is not an objective ranking, or judges would come to the same answer.
Okay you get it. So what does this mean? Think about this:
You may not value the same things as the judges.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Here’s an example: I really value creativity and risk-taking. In some competitions, the “boring,” “musical,” and generally safe dancers place highest. I may not place well in that competition, because I like to screw around, try new and unpolished ideas. It’s what I like about dancing.
Say you’re doing a novice Jack and Jill. Your judges might value pulse and momentum, but you’ve really focused on balance and poise. If you don’t move on to finals, this difference in values may be part of the explanation.
Should you change your values to match the judges’? For most of us, no. Instead, we should stop caring about winning, and start building on our own strengths and values.
What do you really want?
Are you competing to get validation? Let’s be brutally honest with each other. I’ll admit to wanting validation when I began competing. I wanted people to like me, appreciate my dancing, tell me I was doing a good job.
Because competitions are not objective, they are a poor way to get validation. As you come to terms with this, you may find more important goals. Maybe you want:
- To win over the crowd
- To dance with new people
- To get over your nerves
- A reason to work on your dancing
- To express your creative ideas
These are great goals that don’t need the judges’ approval. If you conform to someone else’s values just to win a competition, how much do you appreciate their validation?
For me, it feels hollow. I want to be appreciated for what I love.
I don't remember how we did in this competition. All I remember is this picture where I look like I'm about to punch Dargoff in the face.
Your strengths and values are unique. You can choose to ignore them. You can place others’ opinions above your own. Or you can explore dancing your way, create your own challenges, and measure success by your standards.
Good Reasons You Might Want to Win
#1. You want to make money as a lindy hopper. Winning competitions is the most accepted way to prove your teaching skills. Just kidding! Actually, winning competitions gives you confidence and visibility, and opportunity follows.
#2. You want the respect and attention that comes with winning. Some dancers look down on people who want attention and respect. I say ignore ‘em. If you deeply desire respect, go for it. Just remember you’ll need to play by the judges’ rules.
“What if I’m competitive?” If you don’t fall under the above categories, simply “being competitive” is NOT a good reason.
Though we often work up a hardcore sweat, dancing is still primarily art. It’s judged subjectively. If you like winning for the purpose of beating the other guys, go play rugby or something. If you win a dance competition, the judges liked you better that day. It doesn’t mean you’re superior.
When Comparing Yourself Turns Poisonous
It’s not that comparing yourself to others is bad. When you believe the comparisons, the nagging thoughts that you’re not good enough as a human being, THAT’S the problem. You can be happy with where you are as a dancer and still focus hard on getting better.
For something that’s in the realm of creative arts, lindy hoppers put WAY to much emphasis on winning dance competitions. There are plenty of fabulous reasons to compete which have nothing to do with winning.
My New Competition Mindset
I compete for my own reasons. First off, the floor clears out and I have lots of space. I get to practice dancing my best. I don’t censor my movements for fear of getting hit or hitting someone. Yes, I’m seriously afraid of dance floor collisions and their potential resulting injuries.
Secondly, I compete to practice performing under pressure. Pushing my boundaries is a thrill. Being nervous during comps is a long standing problem for me.
My new definition of competition success: When I dance my best and my partner has fun, which is much harder than I thought. Other goals include expressing creative ideas and taking risks. Placing or getting compliments are bonuses if they happen.
If you have mixed feelings about competitions, you’re not alone. Start by being really honest with yourself. In the end, you may be able to relax and compete by your own definition of success.
What are your reasons for competing?
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Wonderful article!!!!
Why thank you!
Thanks for posting this! This matches many conversations I’ve had in years past about lindy hop competitions.
Another reason some people compete is as a self-motivator. Knowing that the big competition is next month is a great motivator to improve your dancing or to finish that kickass routine you’ve been choreographing.
I’m from a scene that is predominantly social, and as such there is no real sense of assessment of dancing skills, compared with going to a dance school and having examinations, etc. So, for me, competitions are a way of gauging one’s ability as a dancer. If I can make it past the heats, and even place, then it’s a way of validating the skills that I’ve learnt.
Yes, I do realise there are some flaws in this thinking, but it’s important to me that there is some sense of artistic/creative accomplishment – not that there’s anything wrong with simply enjoying the dance!
Yeah, it totally works if you value the same skills the judges do. But what would happen if you began to grow in new directions as a dancer? Or if the judging styles changed? If you stopped doing well at competitions, how would you deal with it?
Wow – totally rediscovered this thread, on a sleepless night after a not-so-successful competition. Looking back at my previous comment, it’s funny how my perspective has changed a little.
To answer your question: if I stopped doing well at competitions, how would I deal with it? Not so well, I guess. Now that I’m no longer a beginner, and no longer compete in those categories, it’s a completely different game. It’s really given me perspective on how much further I have to improve in order to be a contender, really, and given that I’m currently in the middle of the dreaded plateau, it feels like it’s not worth the years of working even harder at my dancing in order to feel like I’m “winning” at dancing. Not to say that I can’t enjoy a social dance for what it is, but social dancing isn’t a huge motivator for going to classes/workshops and improving my skills.
Great article. Telling it straight to dancers old and new.
I had this thing 5 years ago where I wanted to compete but was a big baby when I lost. So I banned myself from comps until I could be a gd adult. Being kind of hard on my past self, but when I released that need to validated I found out why comps were fun – both in the dancing and after the results were out!
The ENERGY! Ungh! It feels different to compete! It’s exciting! It’s not so much about approval or pressure, but the idea that we’re all in it together, even those watching. There’s a feeling of being a part of something, sharing and expressing Lindy Hop. There’s noise, there’s lights, there’s smiles. Comps feel like a celebration of the dance and I’ve done good if it felt like a party. :)
@Sarah C – I can totally relate to your “past self.” I was also a “big baby” one year when I didn’t get the track I thought I should be in at Beantown – mostly because I wanted to “be” with certain people in that particular track, and I got my ego bruised. Additionally, since dancing is an artistic expression via our bodies, it can be deeply personal, and I found that my ego got way too involved in spite of myself! I’m so glad to find like-minded people here on this page (and elsewhere)! We all have egos to contend with (our own and those of others) – that’s part of being human – but The Dance transcends all of that! And if we are willing to receive it, all the joy that The Dance has to offer, far exceeds the false promises of our egos! Thanks for sharing your stories, ya’ll and for supporting and encouraging the positive and healthy ways to enjoy our swing dancing experiences!!!!
I have friends who compete solely so that they can get on the event video. Their technique is to dance next to the best couple, so they’re in the frame. How funny is that?! Course, that worked better before EVERY comp was spotlight style.
I don’t love competing. I sign up for major comps because it’s like having a deadline – otherwise I’d never practice new stuff!
While I completely recognize all the politics and value judgements that goes into judging, if there’s no validation (regarding scoring) I lose interest. I’ll admit that by and large I’ve quit competing in Lindy because I feel that my style and technique isn’t valued. Much better to just social dance sometimes!
How about competing to just be part of the event. Compete just so the competion can happen.
Im not really interested in competition. I think it’s bad for the dance. I like performing without competition like how its done at the sydney salsa congress. 5000 attendees. 4 nights of performances. 20 performance teams per night (80 performance teams over the event) you never see that kind of turnout when its competition based. Also the support and vibe of encouragement between all performers is so awesome. Like nothing i ever saw at a competition based event. Just sayin.
I like your perspective a lot. :-)
Awesome article!
More than anything else listed, my love for competing come from the fact that when I compete, I’m sharing something I love with a whole room of people, and it’s my opportunity to say “Guys! Look at this! Lindy hop and jazz are THE COOLEST THING EVER!” and (albeit cheesy) there’s this kind of magical exchange between strangers of experiencing the same music at the same time, laughing together, and getting inspired while we show each other our best stuff!
Excellent advice! Sharing it with my WCS friends because every bit of it rings true there too.
Awesome! I feel like I don’t know a dang thing about the West Cost Swing community. But every time I read WCS blogs, it all sounds so familiar.
One of the best reasons for competing that I’ve ever heard is that unlike everyone who is having to sit around and watch, you’re still getting to dance! (To which I must add: To a great song! As big as you want! With someone else who’s going all-out!)
Lindyspice: Yes! At the monthly club dance, my favorite reason for competing is that it’s three dances I have a much lower probability of getting bumped, kicked, or stepped on. As to my own reasons for competing, I want to be my partners’ favorite draw. Rebecca, WCS: different dance, same sh$t. ;) Your blogs are still spot on even for the westies.
Thanks for all the great reasons to compete. I could never figure out a reason beyond validation, which is no reason at all, so I never competed. I feel like I’ve just been shown a smorgasbord of great reasons. Time for some rethinking.
Two great examples of “To win over the crowd” at ILHC. Dargoff and Brittany at ILHC 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu6AjrI7NpY
and Andrew and Karen at ILHC 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7l-Qj-JJmI
In both cases they didn’t place in the top 3 in the contest judging, but overwhelming KILLED IT for the crowd.
I love both of these routines. I don’t remember who won those comps, but I’ll always remember those performances!
Awesome read! Thank you for the very grounded advice.
Super title for an equally super article.
Here, here!
Great article! I agree that you can grow as a dancer and develop skills that some judges might not value as highly. I have been in this spot where one judge places me last and another first. I take this as advise for the future i.e how to develop those skills that the other judge prizes while also staying true to my strengths. It can be a good measuring stick to see how far you have developed as you see judges that formerly were your worst critics come around. I don’t think the object in this is to be liked by everyone, or to have the most generic unoffensive good dancing. Rather I would hope that a good judge might not agree with your aesthetic choices but can eventually recognize the improvement in skills. For example the if you are a risk taker then a dancer who can eventually pull off these risks with an even flow and poise could win over judges on both ends of the spectrum.
I’ve been pretty neutral on comps, neither excessively loving or hating them. I enjoy watching them and participate when it’s convenient & fun. I don’t have very much experience with them, though.
Recently, at my college’s big dance, I was in the J&J and made it to finals. We’d seriously lucked out with Glenn Crytzer & his Syncopators for our event and to my surprise, the finals were done spotlight style to live music. There was so much adrenaline going that most of what happened was a blur, but seeing my fellow collegiate dancers give it their all to some kick-arse live music (& being able to be a part of that) is a memory I will cherish for a long time.
I love your writing, Rebecca. It never ceases to be both insightful and entertaining. Thanks for another great read. :)
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