How to prepare for ASSET?

How Do I Prepare For High School Dance Team Tryouts?

• so i asked a question not too long ago on how to feel more comfortable with dancing in public. and ive now taken a step by asking for a dance team application!! i actually signed up. after filling out the personal info and signatures on the app, i now must know how to prepare myself for the tryouts. they r from may 7th through the 10th so i have about 4 weeks to actually practice for it. the application doesnt suggest any certain clothes to wear or moves to know so that just makes it more suspenseful for me lol!! for the ppl who actually have gone through this whole high school dance team tryout session, wut do u think r some basic things i should know and be familiar with b4 actually going to the tryouts? and of course im nervous and worried. wut r some techniques u guys have tried or tips that u all have that helped to cut down on nervousness? any particular clothing i should wear?? shoes?? i just dont know. please help, thanx in advance. oh yeah and on the application, it asks if we have any physical limitations. wut applies under these limitations?? like if u cant do the splits or something? or something more serious like scoliosis? this 1 girl had it and still made the team last yr so yeah, not really sure wut that means. on the app, there is also a question with an 8 line blank asking how i feel my role as a dance team member. does my answer sound okay enough and make u think, "ok, yes she would be a great asset to the dance team!"? "I view my role as a dance team member with high priority. I am aware that what I do or fail to do can either make or break the team's success. We are all responsible for the legacy of our team. And my goal individually is to remain committed to the notion of contributing to a legacy filled with optimism, school spirit, and an extraordinary reputation. My job as a team member would be to do my part in our union by cooperating and contributing to our team and school as much as possible. If I was chosen as a ____________High School __________ dance team member, I would take pride in this distinguished accomplishment by fulfilling my necessary duties as a dedicated member. I believe that when we are working together by sharing a common love for hard work and dancing, we can succeed anything that we put our minds to!" i normally dont need help with my essays but i feel so nervous about this 1 lol!! and i know i repeated myself a bit in the middle....ima think of something later. sorry if i sound dumb but i just want to do this right and not make myself look foolish. and i have been warming my body up by stretching today. ive done 40 lunges, practice kicks, spins, toe pointing, some other stretches, and i know how to do splits fairly well but i do want to get them a bit flatter to the ground. i dont want it to hurt as bad as they do now when i do them in the future. and any other movements u suggest i practice? thanx

• Answer:

  Hey! It's awesome that you're trying out for your dance team :) To prepare, I would suggest taking a jazz class at a local studio if you can. If you can't, try practicing with a girl who has been on the team or watching youtube videos of basic technique (See the links at the bottom). Try to perfect these three moves. Also, whenever you are doing any technique, you need to keep your core (abs) tight. The best way to do this is to suck in your tummy and your butt, keep your back straight, and put your shoulders back. Pretend you're a puppet with a string pulling you taut. Just keep strengthening your core - it's really important for any kind of dance, and it helps you keep your balance in any situation. To cut down on nervousness, I normally try to center myself in my core and take a deep breath. Clear your mind :) Nervousness doesn't really incapacitate me, but if I'm not focusing, it's more difficult for me to execute technique. For clothing, I would wear something that fits your body well, but that you are comfortable with. A fitted t-shirt and solid leggings are perfect. For shoes, soft jazz shoes would most likely be the best (see the link below). If you're doing hip hop, wear tennis shoes. Just don't wear something baggy (unless you're strictly doing hip-hop) because then the judges won't be able to see what you're doing. I think that physical limitations are if you have something like scoliosis or you broke your leg or something. Technique like the splits is something that can be learned, so it isn't a permanent physical limitation. Your answer for the app is good; I would fix the repetition. For stretching, make sure to focus on your abs - crunches will become your best friend :) When you point, make sure that your whole leg is pointing (i.e. push your ankle down in line with your toe and straighten your knee). See the link below for stretching for the splits. I hope that this helps, and good luck on your tryout! You'll be fantastic :)