1. Research the competition
You would have ideally done this prior to entering to ensure a good fit, as all competitions are different; they have different vibes, requirements or styles. Check out their websites and social media thoroughly. It could also be a good idea to talk to past competitors if you know any, and I would highly recommend checking out any videos you can find from previous years, these are usually easy to find on youtube. Getting an idea of what routines have won or placed in the past can be really helpful in your early planning stages. It's not a good idea to copy others but it can give you an idea of the standard.
2. Read the rules thoroughly - multiple times and make notes
Even if you think the rules are stupid - you need to follow them in order to have a chance, as most comps will deduct points for rule breaking or you may even be disqualified entirely. If you really don't agree with the competitions rules then you may be better off looking for one that fits you better. The other option is to raise your concerns with the competition organisers but bear in mind this could damage your standing with the organisers. Whilst it shouldn't and in most cases won't - it COULD. You will have to decide if that's a risk you would like to take by approaching them before the comp. Not everyone takes constructive criticism in the spirit it is intended.
Having a clear list of things you need to bear in mind - whether that's in regards to the rules or scoring - will be really helpful to remind you as you work. Keep it nearby and refer to it often.
3. Don't get stuck on a song too soon
Freestyling to a song is a great and quick way to see if magic will happen. You may like it in your head but can your body move to it? Does it feel the beat? Can you already feel musicality happening? Is the song interesting for an audience? A song with a slow steady beat throughout may be easy to choreograph but may be boring. Make a whole playlist of your favourites, dance to them all and listen to them all a lot, then ask other polers what they think, all before you make your final decision. Other peoples opinions aren't the most important thing, it's important you can dance to the song you choose, but it can be helpful.
4. Pick a theme if appropriate
It depends on the competition but having a strong concept/theme is a good idea. Who are you? What's your story? Does your music/tricks/costume fit with that? Are you conveying what you set out to do? This isn't my strong point admittedly as but it's something to think about as you plan. If they've asked for this make sure you deliver and don't just throw it in as an afterthought. The routine builds around the theme, not the other way around.
5. Pick only your strongest tricks
There is no point putting tricks in that you're still learning unless you have the time and desire to train it to that level. Bearing in mind some tricks can take years to become second nature. A strong trick is one you can do wherever, whenever with little thought: it flows naturally and easily and you probably know multiple ways in and out of it. These are the best kinds of tricks, movements or spins to include as they'll look the most natural. Make a list of everything you want to include and figure out points in the music those tricks or sequences might work. A dramatic part in the music may call for a spin/drop or flip for example.
6. Consider dance lessons
Ballet had such a huge impact in improving my lines and making my dancing neater, so it's a good
starting point if you're struggling to tidy everything up. Every dance type has its own vibe, so it could be appropriate to train in other styles too. It's not the most important thing but it might give you the edge over others.
7. Variety is important
This means using all of the pole, top to bottom, and all of the areas around it, plus different kinds of tricks and different speeds. It's important to stick to your strengths whilst also being able to show diversity. A routine just full of leg hangs will get boring very fast. As will a routine where you move at the exact same speed throughout. Please avoid walking from one pole to the other unless it really fits with your theme/story and ensure you don't stay in one place too long.
8. Film everything and get lots of advice
You need to see what your audience sees and the vast majority of making tricks look good is knowing your angles! I always imagine a grid on the floor around the pole and organise myself based on that grid. When you do this it means you rely on your own visualisation rather than orientating yourself by the room you're in (which is likely not to be the room you'll be competing in). You need to film absolutely everything and get not only yourself but others to critique you. Ask for specific and honest feedback.
If you have no one to help you then film it, watch it back and take it on section by section - looking for straight legs, pointed toes and nice lines. Don't just look for the bits that aren't working - look for the bits that are too and try to recreate them each time. I tend to focus on one issue at a time until I can execute a section or whole routine perfectly. If something isn't working ensure you can let it go and try something else. It can take many hours of drilling a sequence just to perfect a short bit of choreography so be prepared to work hard. It really does take getting a routine from the thinking stage to the feeling stage before it looks good. If you don't feel it - your audience won't.
9. On that note: don't be too rigid, have fun
It will depend on what you're routine is trying to convey but absolutely the best routines are where the performer is having fun and you can feel what they are feeling! The feeling stage comes after you know your routine inside out. As an added note: film yourself again and check what your face is doing - does it reflect what you're trying to do? Can you choreograph facial expressions/smiles/eye contact in to your routine? I love when a performer eye fucks the audience/judges.
10. Visualisation is your best friend
Visualisation is incredibly powerful and ALL elite athletes use it. Why? Because study after study shows that imagining you're doing something is just as good, or nearly as good, as physically doing it. There's even a grip strength study that showed simply imagining doing exercises can improve your grip strength by about 30% - without moving a muscle.
It is rare I run my routines physically these days. They are choreographed and practiced solely in my head and it has yet to let me down. I don't recommend this for a competition but it can form part of your practice. Listen to your song often and imagine yourself on stage doing your routine as your best self. Smiling/eye contact, floating about and executing it flawlessly. Do this as often as you can in the run up. Again, not something I necessarily recommend, but I do this whilst driving to and from work for two weeks on the run up to a show.
11. Go big on the makeup
Stage make up is a thing for a reason - if you do a normal make up look it will not translate to stage. It's a good idea to test what you want to do with your make up multiple times prior the competition and film yourself in studio wearing it. If you can't see it on video it might not translate to the stage. Social media and the internet generally is a great place to get inspiration and learn how to do makeup.
Pro tip: I always set my makeup with hairspray when performing - I have yet to find a setting spray that works as well. And take baby wipes so that you can get clean after. There is nothing worse than being stuck in makeup you've been wearing for hours on the way home. Take it off and get in your onesie once it's all finished!
12. Test your costume
Double triple quadruple check your costume prior to the day. Costume malfunctions happen surprisingly often so ensure it can take whatever you throw at it and have others watch to ensure you're not flashing. Have spare costume options and on the day tape EVERYTHING - tape yourself up like a barbie doll under your costume so that if something moves there will be nothing to see! Some competitions will stop you mid routine - announce to the crowd that there's been a flashing incident and disqualify you - IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. I have personally seen this happen, and happen to really disagree with it, but it's best to be safe than sorry.
13. Be prepared
Think about everything you might need on the day and ensure you are well rested, well fed and well hydrated. As a performer I find suitcases incredibly helpful for transporting costumes and everything I might need backstage. Ensure you have safety pins, a sewing kit, extra tit tape, spare costumes, spare heels, hair clips and something comfortable to wear whilst waiting. I usually wear a onesie back stage and take a blanket. It can be a long day so also ensure you have plenty of water and food. Even if you don't feel like eating you need to try and will definitely be hungry after.
14. Don't get out of your costume and make-up until after the awards
There's always one, or multiple, performers in onesies, jogging bottoms and half out of their costumes being recalled to stage at the end. Not all comps do this but it just looks better if you're called to stage either as a group or individually for awards if you're still in costume. They usually take photos and you'll probably beat yourself up if you're in your joggers. Don't get undressed until you know the comp is officially finished. I would bring a onesie to put on top and remove it just after the last act.
15. Try to take the results graciously....
This one is why I don't compete. I am a sore loser. I want to win and if I don't I will throw a tantrum. So, don't be that person. Get your feedback, take it on board and use it to move forward. It's incredibly hard to win a pole comp as the standards can be incredibly high and there is almost always going to be some element of bias. It's rare that the person I think will win - does. That's okay. Where you place has no bearing on you as a pole dancer or a human.
Good Luck!
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