How to Practice Effectively

Agree on a plan before you start

If you’re practicing with a partner, begin by talking about what you want to accomplish. Choose a couple of things to focus on and agree on how you’ll spend your time. Use what you’ve been working on in lessons to help you decide.

You might spend the session learning new choreography, working on a technical detail, or applying a lesson correction to your routine. If you have several technical things to work on, run the routine more than once and choose a different focus each time.

For example, you could focus on footwork in one run-through and frame in another. Give each adjustment your attention instead of trying to think about every correction at once.

A sample 60-minute practice

This is one way to divide an hour. Adjust the time to suit your goals, and use the same approach for a shorter session.

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Practice on your own and with a partner

Work through a new figure in smaller pieces

1. Check the rhythm, starting foot, and direction.
2. Practice your own part slowly, paying attention to your steps and weight changes.
3. Try a short section with your partner and identify where you need help.
4. When that section is clear, link it to the figures before and after it.
5. Add suitable music and gradually work toward the speed you need.

Take a break when you’re stuck

If something keeps going wrong or becomes frustrating, take a break. You can return to it later or work on something else. If you think you’re doing it incorrectly, set it aside until you can ask your coach for guidance.

Repeatedly practicing a movement you suspect is wrong can turn it into a habit. Make a note of where the problem happens and what feels unclear so you can bring a specific question to your next lesson.

Be kind to each other

Talk about what you’re feeling and what you need help with. “Can we slow that section down?” or “I’m losing my balance here” gives you something to work on together. Keep feedback constructive, and ask your coach to help with problems you can’t resolve.

Aim for a light, responsive connection and maintain your own balance. If you’re unsure what frame, connection, or tone should feel like, ask Amanda & Corey to work through it with you. You can also review the partnering definitions.

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Practice your dances to music

Use music to connect what you’re practicing to the timing and character of the dance. You can work through a section slowly first, then try it with an appropriate song.

• Listen for the beat and mark the rhythm before dancing.
• Count aloud if it helps you keep track of the timing.
• Use slower music when helpful, then work toward the tempo you need.
• Try different suitable songs so you become comfortable with music you haven’t practiced to.

If you’re having trouble hearing the beat, recognizing the rhythm, or finding your starting count, ask Amanda & Corey. We can help with timing, basic music theory, phrasing, and musicality.

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Use JHU club practice to review class material

The Wednesday practice period is 7:30–8:00 p.m. Choose something from class you want to review while it’s still fresh. Check the JHU Hub schedule for the current class information.

Try the figures with a partner, work through a part that felt unclear, or use the time to apply a correction from the lesson. Keep your plan manageable for the time you have.

Ask Amanda or Corey questions when they’re available. If there isn’t enough time to work through something, write it down for your next class or lesson.

If you missed class or want a reminder afterward, use the class recap videos and bring us questions about anything you don’t understand.

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Practice for competition

Include time to dance your routines without stopping so you can practice continuing when something doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Doing rounds means dancing your competition dances in the order they appear in your heats, with short breaks between dances. Use the event’s schedule when it’s available, or ask your coach which order to practice.

• Practice entering the floor, getting into position, starting to the music, finishing, and leaving together.
• Rehearse picking up the routine after a forgotten figure and finding the timing again while keeping your body moving with the music.
• Practice floorcraft around other couples, including hesitations and waiting for space before continuing your travel.

For more detail, see Building Routines & Practicing for Your First Competition. Discuss major routine changes with your coach before making them close to an event.

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Bring your practice questions to a private lesson

Private lessons give you time to work on individual technique, partnering, musicality, routines, choreography, and presentation. You can also use them to prepare for a competition or get help with something that keeps causing trouble.

• Bring your notes or a short video of the part you want help with.
• Tell your coach what you’ve tried and what still feels unclear.
• Ask which adjustments or drills to practice before your next lesson.

You don’t need to be an advanced dancer or preparing for a competition. Lessons can be planned around your current experience, interests, and goals.

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Finish with a plan for the next practice

Take a few minutes at the end to talk about how the practice went. Notice improvements as well as things that still need work.

• What improved during this practice?
• What still feels unclear or needs more time?
• What should you work on at your next practice?
• What do you want to discuss with your coach?

Keep these notes somewhere you can find them when you practice again. A short video can also help you remember what happened or show your coach a problem. Ask before recording or sharing video of someone else.

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