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Tips Before The Big Feis
Ryan & O’Donnell / Tips / Tips Before The Big Feis

Some Quick Tips Before Your First Big Feis.

Take It Easy

Don’t go crazy in your practice sessions before. You have already spent months perfecting your routines and steps both in Hard Shoes and Pumps. You’re already “match fit” to use a football analogy. DO NOT! dance at full throttle when you only have a few days to go. Still going through your steps, so they are fresh in your mind, but by now I’m sure muscle memory itself should take over. But try not to overexert yourself, as muscles get weak straight after a hard workout and then strengthen up over time, which is effective during your training sessions on the build-up towards competition, but never a good idea in the last few days to go.

Rest Your Muscles

Competitive Irish dancers tend to push themselves both mentally (remembering all the steps) and physically to extremes. So, your body will need rest time, to recover and be ready when you need it. Before any big competition book yourself a good sports massage, so your muscles are relaxed and ready to dance. Make sure to get lots of sleep in the run-up to competition and take lots of long baths as again this is great to help relax your muscles.

Stretch Every Day

As you should have been cutting down your regular training sessions or at least not pushing as hard during them in the run-up to a competition, you must remember to stretch out more than usual. Stretch out once or twice a day for approx 20 to 30 minutes as this is a fantastic way to keep your muscles loose and fresh

Don’t Go Skipping a Meal

Everyone one of us wants to look slim in our new dress, but don’t go without a healthy breakfast on the day of the competition. You need the energy to burn, and useless calories aren’t going to do it. You will find that you will dance better and have more energy if the night before you have had a good healthy meal, foods like pasta, cheese, meat, and vegetables are all great for getting you ready for the big day

Travel Time

If your competition needs to be traveled to, make sure you have given yourself enough sleep the night before. All too often I have seen girls turning up for the day still sleep-deprived as they were packing up till late the night before.

Listen To Advice

“Dancers Don’t Plan To Fail, But Fail To Plan”  Was my teacher’s favorite expression coming up to a big Feis. And is something that I have tried to stick to for myself  when competitively Irish Dancing, and in life in general.

Be Optimistic

Now is not the time to dwell on what you could or should have done to improve your performance. With just 24 hours or less before the Competition , the only thing that can help you is staying positive. Mistakes can happen during your routine. Remind yourself not to dwell on your errors and instead focus on what you can do to get ahead and improve your chance of winning.

Have a Laugh

Now without doubt the number one most important thing to remember more than everything else is to HAVE FUN. Yes its been months of hard work and sweat, but you have made it and if when all said and done your not enjoying yourself, then it not worth it. This is suppose to be dancing something for exercise, display, social interactions and enjoyment for both audience and the dancer.

If you have any other tips please feel free to add below so others can gain from your experience.