Plan a competition season: a checklist

A season is a handful of competitions, a budget and a weekly rhythm of lessons and practice, built around one main goal. Work through it with your teacher.

25 items 6 phases

01 Choose your competitions

• Set one main goal for the season Moving up a level, reaching a final at a particular competition, or a medal test. Everything else is planned around it. LevelMedal test
• List the competitions you could enter Mark dates, location, travel and how big each one is. A competition calendar saves hunting through websites. Competition
• Pick one or two main events These are the ones you peak for. The rest are practice competitions. Peaking
• Leave gaps between them Four to six weeks between competitions gives time to fix what the last one showed and to rest. Peaking
• Check eligibility for each one Age group, level, partnership type and any registration. Rules differ between bodies and events. Age categoryRegistrationSanctioned competition

02 Budget

• Cost each competition Entries, the teacher's fees, travel, hotel, food, costume, hair and makeup. A simple sheet per competition avoids surprises. Entry feePro-Am
• Add the lessons and coaching The weeks of preparation usually cost more than the competition itself. Private lessonCoachingPackage
• Plan costume and shoes Renting keeps the first season cheap. Shoes wear out faster than you expect. CostumeDance shoes
• Keep a buffer Hold back about a tenth of the budget for extra lessons, a late entry or a costume repair.
• Track what you actually spend Compare it with the plan after each competition and adjust the rest of the season.

03 A week of lessons

• Book regular private lessons One to three a week is common before a competition. The same day and time each week builds a habit. Private lessonPackage
• Add group classes Technique and figure classes are cheaper than privates and good for basics. Group class
• Practise between lessons Two or three short sessions a week on what the last lesson covered. Write down what to work on before you leave each lesson. PracticePractice partner
• Give each week a focus One dance, or one skill such as posture or timing, rather than everything at once. PostureTiming
• Keep up general fitness Stamina, strength and flexibility work off the floor make long rounds easier.

04 Coaching and camps

• Book coaching at the right time A visiting coach is most useful a few weeks before a main event, with enough time left to work on what they give you. CoachingCoach
• Consider a camp A few days of lectures and lessons can move you on quickly, especially early in the season. Camp
• Keep notes from every session Coaching is expensive to forget. Write it down the same day and share it with your teacher.

05 Peaking and rest

• Build up, then taper Train hardest four to two weeks before a main event, then ease off so you arrive fresh. Peaking
• No new material in the last two weeks Late changes to routines tend to fall apart under pressure. Routine
• Plan rest weeks After a main event, take a lighter week. Bodies and motivation both need it.
• Take aches seriously Dancing through pain early in a season can cost the rest of it. See a professional when something does not settle.

06 Review

• Review after each competition Marks, notes and costs, while you still remember the day. MarksResults
• Check the plan midway Are you on track for the main goal? Move competitions or lessons if not.
• Close the season What worked, what it cost, and what next season's goal will be.

DanceFlow's season plan holds a student's competitions, showcases, medal tests and budget in one place, and warns when the lessons will run out first.

Words on this list

LevelMedal testCompetitionPeakingAge categoryRegistrationSanctioned competitionEntry feePro-AmPrivate lessonCoachingPackageCostumeDance shoesGroup classPracticePractice partnerPostureTimingCoachCampRoutineMarksResults

More checklists

• Your first competition 32 items
• Your first showcase 17 items
• A new student's first month 14 items

Plan the season where the lessons already are

DanceFlow keeps a studio's lessons, students, packages and competition plans in one place, and each student sees their own. Free to start.