LET'S STOP SANDBAGGING LEVELS

Oh the drama levels can create! Levels are a great idea and were created with the best intentions in mind.  However, not everyone agrees on level placement. Although not everyone can walk away with a top 10 placement, when used correctly, levels provide a balanced playing field for all dancers at competitions. I wholeheartedly believe dance competitions can be for everyone, and I am thrilled that there are a multitude with a leveled system.

Every competition is different. That’s what makes the dance competition season so exciting! As far as differentiating them with levels, some don’t have any levels. Some have two, and some have three, whereas another may have five levels. Each competition’s way of determining a dancer’s experience level may vary. While some suggest the years of competition experience, others may base the levels off hours in the studio, or the number of routines competing. I could be wrong, but I believe, most or all have a clause stating to take the dancer’s ability into consideration. THAT IS THE KEY RIGHT THERE! Take the ability level into consideration.

First and foremost, you must be completely honest with yourself and your dancer(s). Sit back and look at the dancer(s) from an outsider’s perspective. Don’t think about others, or who will be competing against who. After all, aren’t we constantly posting things on social media like the Mikhail Baryshnikov quote, “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself”? If we are honest and approach competition with this in mind, I believe, leveling would overall be more consistent and balanced. When approaching leveling dancers this way, it is pretty clear what experience level a dancer needs to represent.

Just because a dancer may compete in one level at one competition that may have, let’s say 5 levels, doesn’t necessarily mean you should level down to try to find the equivalent when competing at a competition that has let’s say 3 levels. You cannot compare 2 or 3 levels to 5 levels. That is like comparing apples to oranges. A good rule of thumb is to be honest about the ability level of each dancer, regardless of age, hours in the studio, or years of competition experience. Yes, take the hours in the studio into consideration but there are some dancers who excel with less hours and they need to compete up a level, just as there are dancers who could take 20 hours a week and never have the ability of an upper level dancer. By putting ALL the guidelines into play, and accurately evaluating the dancer(s), you can assign each dancer to the proper experience level, regardless of age. You will be doing your part to keep the playing field balanced and as it was meant to be. Yes, everyone loves to win. No one loves to win more than me, in anything! But is it really a win when you level a dancer, or group of dancers, down? In my opinion, no, it’s not.

Some people are genuinely afraid to move their dancers up. Don’t be afraid! Keeping them in a lower level than they need to be in doesn’t help them in their progression, doesn’t teach them to win AND lose gracefully, and doesn’t earn you respect from your peers. If you are uncertain, ask a friend that is a fellow dance teacher or dance parent. They will be honest and help you make the right decision.

One of my favorite things to say is, I like to keep it real. So, I am just going to put it out there and say what others may be thinking. I am aware there are some competitions that have more of an issue with leveling down than others, but please do not let those competitions make you do the same thing at another competition. If you have ever complained to a competition director, staff, or owner, or if you have ever complained to another studio owner, teacher, parent, dancer, etc., about a dance being in the wrong level in your opinion, then please don’t be guilty yourself and part of the leveling problem. Like my mother, and grandmother, always told me, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” If everyone starts doing the right thing, perhaps the leveling controversy will come to an end.

I encourage everyone reading this to do their part to make the system right at every competition they attend this year, not by complaining, but by doing the right thing themselves. In the process, we as adults have the opportunity to make a difference in the next generation. Through dance competitions, we can teach good sportsmanship, honesty, work ethic, respect of self and others, along with how to appreciate the talents of others. Almost every form of competition, whether it be golf, tennis, basketball, swimming, almost everything has the issue of “sandbagging”, which means claiming to not be as good as you really are to take the advantage. Dance, unfortunately, has not been immune. As I teach my son, life isn’t fair but what exactly is fair? It is my responsibility as his parent to teach him how to handle chaos and things that just  seem “unfair”, because that is how the big world works. No matter how perfect and “fair” I want his life to be, it’s not going to be. The only way to ensure that the “sandbagging” issue does indeed improve, is to do your part in the honesty department. Trust me, win or lose, you will earn the respect of your peers.

If you are pushing your students into the professional world, push them into the highest level, even if they are young. Don’t hold back! I always say to students in my classes, “Your body will only do what you demand it to do.” Expect them to strive for excellence. If you teach your child or your students to strive for excellence, they will. Teach them it’s not about the trophy. One of my dance teachers always told me to find the best dancer in the room and dance by them. I did. It pushed me to do better. The same can go for competition.

Dance competitions are just like dance studios. There are many quality ones out there. There is a place for everyone, but you may find not all competitions are right for you, just like all dance studios aren’t right for everyone, or vice versa. If you don’t agree with the way a certain competition suggests leveling or the way a certain competition and the clientele are accustomed to doing experience levels, you may need to pick another. I’m not saying one way is better than another, but I am saying not all ways may work for you, and that’s ok.

I love the competition industry and there really are some amazing people who work in this business with hearts of gold. If you have already registered and have doubts about where you placed your dancers, I encourage you to revisit your entries and make the necessary adjustments. It’s not too late! If you haven’t registered yet, I hope you sit back, put your personal feelings and emotions to the side as you register for each competition. I wish everyone a fun, exciting, educational, and dance-life changing year! I hope this turns out to be your best yet!

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith

To read more from Meredith, visit thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com.

FOLLOW MEREDITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Instagram: competitiveedgebymeredith
Facebook:Meredith Pennington
Facebook: The Competitive Edge by Meredith

Twitter: @the_comp_edge