Battle Tactics and Respect

When it comes to battling in dancing it can be very competitive.This goes especially for poppin.I have come to realize that when you battle somebody,tactics and respect play a big role.Those 2 words determine your reputation as a dancer.I have battled numerous times before and I still do to this day.I tend to think of battling as competing with myself as my focus.With that being said let's explore a list of battle tactics.



1.Take your time!!The main thing I see in battles is hype energy.To much of it will make you rush and be off beat.Plus your stamina will go down faster.when poppin on beat and taking your time,your moves look 10 times cleaner compared to rushing.Show your opponent that you are in control and smooth with it.dancing fast and being off beat is not cool at all which leads me to tactic #2.

2.Stay on beat.I cannot stress this enough.Rather if u are being judged by an audience or a panel of professional judges,being on beat is a MUST!!!No matter what the song is and how fast the tempo is,ride that beat like it's on cruise control.U can have a thousand moves but if you are not on beat your whole time in the battle is pointless!

3.Don't show all your moves in one round.This is major sign of weakness.Let's say you are confident that u are winning the first round.You basically showed all your best moves and you are on fire.Ok that's well and fine but what if your opponent suprises you in the second round.What will you have to show for round 2 when your opponent brings out some of their good moves.If you don't have any moves left then 9 times out of 10 you are gonna repeat what you did in round 1.The point is spread your moves out through each round.Another thing is that your audience will get bored looking at you.This strategy helps especially when u are battling somebody that is very skilled.

4.Wear clothes that fit.I know this may sound irrelevant or funny but it plays a big role with your moves.If u like to wear big clothes I highly suggest to make an exception when u pop.See waist moves and upper body moves are best shown when u wear clothes that fit.Imagine if u were wearing a baggy shirt while u pop.In your mind your technique could be flawless but nobody will see it because your xxl size shirt is hiding all your moves.

5.Don't Think.As the late great Michael Jackson said about dancing"Thinking is the biggest mistake a dancer can make,you have to feel."This is so true especially for battling.When you think throughout a battle,you give your opponent the impression that you are nervous.Just feel the music and stay on beat.So many dancers try to battle with thinking of moves before they even dance period!!If you are skilled enough feeling the music should automatically hit your soul as a dancer.



Now that I have gone over tactics,lets talk about battle respect.A lot of times respect is determined with basically the winner and the loser.The concept of a battle can make or break ego's.Lets take a look shall we?







This a poppin battle that took place in Atlanta back in 2004.Do you notice something wrong here?Well I do.Aparently the guy with the blue on got mad and threw a tantrum. This is often done when personal feelings get involved.Which leads me to the first point about battle respect.




1.Control your anger.This is a life lesson in general but can prove your overall composure in a battle.A lot of times dancers will get mad if they are losing a battle.This kind of outtake is a sore loser mentality and will not help you win.After all the better DANCER wins the battle not the better trash talker.If you get frustrated then that goes to show that you are not battle material.Nobody wants to see you whine and complain when you are supposed to be getting down.

2.Don't talk just dance. You have certain dancers that will serve as their own commentary before and during a battle.For example, before a battle you're going on and on about what move u can do and how skilled you are.Then when the battle starts you act as if you are teaching by talking about each move u do while u do it.This a major sign of being cocky.Yes think highly of your dance ability but as I like to put it,"Just shut up and dance!!"Nobody wants to hear how great your dance ability is especially if you can't prove it.Besides let your moves do all the talking.

3.Hang in there.There will be times when you battle somebody that is more skilled than you.Now if it is pre-determined that you know you are going to lose then still battle anyway.As a matter of fact give it all you got.You never know what the outcome might be really.By doing this you are earning respect because you are not willing to give up.There's been times where I would battle someone more skilled than me,but I would get mad respect even if I lose.Think about it this way.What are you really risking?Losing helps u become a better dancer.Think it about it!

4.Wait your turn!!As your kindergarden teacher used to say."Wait Your turn!"What do I mean by that with battling.Easy!!Don't interupt your opponent's turn when you wanna dance.You wouldn't want your opponent to do the same to you.Besides you don't wanna cause confusion with the battle.One thing I see with battles is that you got both dancers dancing at the same time trying to out do each other with a move.That's a big no no.It's a major turn off judging wise and you are not focusing on your own feel with the music.

5.Shake Hands.As with any competition or sport,out of respect shake your opponents hand.Its a declaration of win or lose unity.Enough said.


Those are the key elements with battle tactics and respect.Take high consideration of each as you grow as a dancer.Or if you don't dance at all,it is something good to know for if you watch a battle.Either way it goes for any of you, the battle itself is the common variable.