Dance competition tricks?

Question:I am a dance instructor and have an extensive ballet background. I started teaching at a dance studio that does competitions a year ago. I have noticed that some of these competition dances that people do have AMAZING tricks in them, like multiple pirouettes, tilt extensions, leg grab turns, etc. Some things are almost acrobatic. How do you teach the kids to do these tricks? I only get 2 hours of technique class a week with my dancers. Help!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am a dance instructor and have an extensive ballet background. I started teaching at a dance studio that does competitions a year ago. I have noticed that some of these competition dances that people do have AMAZING tricks in them, like multiple pirouettes, tilt extensions, leg grab turns, etc. Some things are almost acrobatic. How do you teach the kids to do these tricks? I only get 2 hours of technique class a week with my dancers. Help!

I know exactly what your talking about! It's a dance competition not a Gymnastics one.

In these troupe dances its usually only one or two people who actually do these things. Even in my troupes, its always the same 5 people that do all the flexi/arial/walkovers stuff. Do you have a dancer in your troupe who can actually do this kind of stuff?

At your studio do you have an acrobatics class? A couple of dance schools I know its compulsary to do acro to do troupe. Perhaps you can get a teacher in to teach some basic gymnastics tricks to help the dancers.

But remember though-tricks aren't everything. Judges look for strength, technique, flexibility, and the ability to have fun. A clean double or single looks a LOT better than 3 or 4 turns.

If your winning comps already without amazing stuff I wouldn't really worry about it. But if your not perhaps you should use 15 minutes each class to focus on just tricks.

Good luck with everything and I hope this helps :)