Anyone got any good tips on how to reduce nerves and tension in ballroom compatitions?. We both suffer to some extent, and don't dance anywhere near our ability in comps. We're told the tension shows in our dancing. I'm not embarrassed or 'nervous' in the normal sense. I'm used to standing in front of people. Yet i can sense i'm tense when competing. We practise a lot, so are well-prepared.
Any helpful tips would be VERY welcome

Well, you're already following two of my suggestions, which would be to get lots of practice at it (do a lot of comps and showcases), and to be well-prepared. Try this: as you're standing in the staging area getting ready to go on, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Visualize yourself getting through the whole heat without getting uptight, staying calm and relaxed throughout. Every time you start to feel tense, take a deep breath. Hunch your shoulders up to your ears, then relax and let them drop. When you get out on the floor and frame up, take a deep breath while in dance position...this will make your partner take a deep breath, and you'll both relax. Remind each other during the dance to relax and breathe.

But I'd only suggest doing this off the floor. A yawn sends a signal to the rest of the body to relax. But I wouldn't do this on the dance floor, though, but it's nice to do during the previous heat.

But the only other thing I can suggest doing is you need something to make it fun or make you smile during the dance, that way you'll relax. Friends always help, by yelling encouragement. But. what you might do is seek at more opportunties for performance. Seek out studio showcases, parties, social gatherings. Once, you became relaxed here being the solo, being on the floor with several other couples should be no problem.

Hope this helps,
-TheDitz

I always think of it as a formal ball where everyone is dressed up nicely Also, when I'm dancing, I pretend as if there's no one in the room except for my partner and myself: there is no one there to judge, to watch and/or to criticize, it's just the music and us.

It works for me because I have no shame whatsoever when I practice my balance etc. by myself. I can do whatever, because no one is watching anyway, I can experiment and basically dance to my fullest.

If something goes wrong during competition because of nerves acting up: it's fine, there's always a next competition, it can happen to anyone, it's not the end of the world.

Hope this helps

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." - Horace

I finally got over my nerves by changing my focus to the audience rather than the judges, or myself, or my partner. You've done the work! Try to think of it as the time to really enjoy it. I dance much better when I am less intense about perfection (a few good comps will reinforce this). It's funny, but if you imagine that the crowd is loving you, and you manage a little eye contact with a few people, you will be surprised...not only at the unexpected positive feedback you will get from total strangers, but also the confidence it gives you to be a more natural, and better dancer.