JHU Ballroom Student Guide · Stage 1 of 6
Getting startedChoosing Your First Ballroom Competition & Registering
Signing up for your first competition can bring up a lot of questions. Which dances should you enter? What level is right for you? What if you do not have a partner yet? We can help you work through those decisions and get ready for the experience.
Start with the club and your coaches
Ask JHU club leadership which competitions the team plans to attend. Going with other club members gives you people to practice with, cheer for, and turn to when you have questions on the day.
Find out how the club is handling registration, payments, and travel. Some arrangements may be coordinated as a group, while others may be up to each dancer. Knowing who is taking care of what makes it easier to get organized.
Talk with Amanda & Corey about the dances you are considering. We can help you choose entries that fit what you have been learning and identify what to work on before the competition.
Choose your dances and partner
Start with dances you enjoy and feel ready to practice. You do not need to enter every dance to have a worthwhile first competition. A few well-chosen entries can give you plenty to work toward.
With your partner, discuss which styles you want to dance, who will lead and follow in each entry, and when you can practice together. Choose a practice schedule that works for both of you.
If you do not have a partner yet, ask club leadership and your coaches for help. Some competitions offer a TBA partner-matching system. Check how it works and what you need to arrange before registering.
Find the right level
You may see categories such as Newcomer, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Ask us which level makes sense for your dancing, then check the competition’s eligibility rules. The organizer may consider previous experience or results when deciding who can enter a category.
Check the event’s definition of Newcomer and which dances it offers at that level. Also review the permitted figures, partnership categories, dress code, and any student identification or membership requirements.
Rules vary between competitions. Use the registration and rules pages for the event you are entering. If the organizer specifies USA Dance rules, follow those requirements for your entries.
Know what it will cost
Look beyond the entry fee when planning your budget. Depending on the event, you may also need to account for membership, transportation, lodging, meals, and clothing or shoes.
Ask about shared travel arrangements and borrowing suitable clothing before buying something new. Talk with your partner about the costs you can each manage so the plan feels comfortable for both of you.
The club may be able to cover certain fees or expenses. Check with club leadership to find out what support is available and which costs you will need to cover yourself.
Before you submit your registration
Take a few minutes to check the details together:
- Your names, partnership, and dance roles are correct.
- The dances and levels match what you discussed with your coaches.
- You have checked eligibility, permitted figures, and any required identification or membership.
- You know the registration and payment deadlines, along with the correction and refund policies.
- You know who is submitting the entries, paying, and arranging travel.
Save your confirmation and check that the entries and payment status are correct. Keep it somewhere you can easily find it when you need it.
Bring us your questions
If you are unsure about an entry, send us the event link and the dances and level you are considering. We can help you sort through the details and decide what to practice next.
Your first competition is a chance to learn, dance with your partner, and enjoy being part of the team. Choosing your entries is the beginning of getting ready for that day.
Competition terms, explained
- Entry: A category you register to compete in, such as Newcomer American Waltz.
- Proficiency level: A competition category such as Newcomer, Bronze, Silver, or Gold. Each event sets its eligibility requirements.
- Syllabus: The figures and restrictions permitted at your level.
- TBA partner: A partner who has not yet been arranged. Some competitions offer partner matching; check how their system works.
- Heat: A scheduled group of competitors dancing at the same time. Know your heat number as well as the dance and level.
- Heat sheet / heat list: Your list of competition entries and heat numbers. Check the latest version for changes.
- Competitor number: The number that identifies you to the judges, usually worn on the leader’s back.
- Preliminary round: An elimination round before the final.
- Recall or callback: Advancement to another round. Check results after dancing.
- Final: The last round that determines placements.
- On deck: Ready and waiting near the floor for an upcoming heat.
- Adjudicator: Another word for a competition judge.
- Invigilator: An official who checks that dancers follow the event’s rules, including permitted figures and attire.
- Scrutineering: Calculating results from the judges’ marks.
- Floorcraft: Adjusting your movement to share the floor safely with other couples.
More definitions and event-specific terms: