Forgetting Moves?

Runemist34 started this discussion · 2/26/2010

Hey Everyone! I was wondering...do you ever "forget" moves, and when you go to your pole, end up doing the same four spins over and over, because that's all you can think of? And then you go to sit down, and go "Oh! I should have done this move, too! And that one!" I have that problem, hardcore! Any cures that you guys can think of? I've tried choreographing, but generally I get the same problem...I forget the choreography, or some of it doesn't work the way I think it will! 🙄 I'll keep trying that, but otherwise...any thoughts? Can you relate? What does everyone do to "mix it up?" 🥂 ☀️

17 replies

jellycat1 · 2/26/2010
Ohhhh... I'm so with you. It especally happens to me when there's a ton of people watching. I totally blank out. I don't have a huge catalogue of reliable moves to begin with. It really narrows when I'm under pressure. 😳 I'll be thinking of moves I should have done like a week later. I still haven't found a cure for it yet. But I totally get where you're coming from.
ottersocks · 2/26/2010
I definitely suffer from this too. Lately when I freedance it has been very helpful to first think of 5 moves I want to do. You can remember 5 without having to write them down. Then I make sure to throw those 5 in during the dance. Makes a big difference for me! 🙂
moonflower · 2/26/2010
This happens all the time!I go through phases where I'll "forget" certain moves and find myself doing a combo on repeat through half a song. I've tried writing down the moves I want to practice but once the music gets going I forget everything. I"m thinking of buying a dry erase board for my rooms so I can write all a bunch of moves down in BIG letters so I can say them when on the pole.
MilienElayne · 2/26/2010
I am always writing lists. So many lists... I've read somewhere that some girls have full on spreadsheets with possible combinations and everything. That would be SO cool to have.
Rena LadyBug · 2/26/2010
I've learned to make a list of moves I can do and moves I'd like to learn... It's the only way I can keep from going blank!!!! 😀
Foxy_Rei · 2/26/2010
I go blank and tend to use the exact same moves in the exact same order when I freestyle. Always fireman, chopper, gemini, scorpio, martini spin, butterfly, ext. butterfly, flatline scorpio. Every time... i used to have a video with clips of every single move I knew in the order that I learned them, but I think it was lost when my laptop died... I should probably write down the moves like other people said they do, that would be the smart thing to do, lol
Runemist34 · 2/26/2010
Hey! A dry erase board is a good idea...I have one on the wall behind my pole, so I could potentially use that. Also, thinking of five moves...great idea. I think, without actually intending to do it, I do that...but it's usually that I want to learn certain moves that I can't get yet, get frustrated, and do one of two spins I always do: Either the front hook, or the back hook. Dunno what it is with me and the hooking spins. I think I might make another list (MilienElayne, I'm a chronic list maker, too! Never keep my thoughts straight without it.) Does anyone keep a "pole journal" that has all their thoughts, ideas, combos, and moves they want to learn/do already know? I was thinking I'd start with one! 🥂 I'm pretty bad at keeping scrapbooks, but I'd love to start doing it for pole, and a couple of other hobbies I have. Thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming 🙂
EVamp83 · 2/26/2010
A journal sounds like a good idea, I think some girls on here actually have one. I'm horrible at keeping journals though, so that's not for me. 🤔 I do have a list with moves I can do, and moves that I want to learn (and are attainable, at least to work on). I just updated my pole list yesterday, and organized the moves into categories. Hopefully that'll help me structure my practice sessions a little better. But then again, I don't dance (yet), so I can just run to my list every time I run out of inspiration. But anyway, the list isn't a cure-all, 'cause I still forget to practice moves (and only remember them when I'm on my way home). And I never have enough time to practice everything I wanted to in the practice hour. Plus I should work more on (new) combinations, and I always see these great new moves/combos on SV and YT, but usually just forget them. I tried writing them down, but that doesn't seem to work... Hmm. Guess that didn't help anyone....like....at all 😀 😳
minicoopergrl · 2/26/2010
:raises hand super high: Ive got the same problem. Which I dont understand b/c when I took dance, I could do a routine w/o blanking out during it. I think it has to do w/others learning and someone who can remind you what move is next. So Im thinking of to teach someone my routines that way I can remember them. I cant write them down b/c I need the music (I normally put stuff together by the counts of 8 in the beat). For me when im putting a routine together, I get a few main combos in my mind and where I want to put them. Then I fill in the rest, but then I feel like im stuck b/c all I do is walk around the pole. 🤔
polergirl · 2/26/2010
I have a pole journal with notes, moves, things I want to try, combo possibilities, the works. That said, I still tend to revert back to some of the same moves when I freestyle.....which is all I ever do. I only choreograph major moves for certain times. Everything else, I wing it and am trying to get better about not repeating.
SissyBuns · 2/26/2010
Write stuff on the mirror. It doesn't show that well in videos and you're looking in the mirror anyway so while your checkin yourself out...check what other move you wanna do. I got the idea from Jessalyn when we were working on our competition routines. Her and I had the mirror at her studio filled with moves in black marker. LOL 😀
chemgoddess1 · 2/26/2010
Yep...happens all the time. Only moves that I don't have to think about work their way into my dancing. I have to be totally secure with a move for it to even get to that point.
minicoopergrl · 2/26/2010
Write stuff on the mirror. It doesn't show that well in videos and you're looking in the mirror anyway so while your checkin yourself out...check what other move you wanna do. I got the idea from Jessalyn when we were working on our competition routines. Her and I had the mirror at her studio filled with moves in black marker. LOL 😀 I like that idea!!! I was thinking of going the storyboard route and making a story board w/the lyrics. Im not the best artist but its an idea!
moonflower · 2/27/2010
I'm a compulsive list write with book of lists. I'm so glad I'm not alone. The only list I have trouble keeping updated is that "what I ate today" list. 😂
SandyBrown · 2/27/2010
I also agree with writing down combos, spins, and inversions. Whenever I try something in class, or when I'm watching youtube videos and I see a really cool combo that I know I can do, I'll write it down and try it later.
monica kay · 2/27/2010
to also start incorporating new moves: it helps to practice the move as the beginning, middle, or end of a combo--- as opposed to just mastering the trick and just doing it alone. That way the new trick is paired up with one when you practice. It will come natural to move into it when the spotlight is on you. To avoid repeating the order of tricks when you are performing, do similar to above. Practice doing the combo's in a different order over and over again. After an afternoon of switching up the combo, it will be second nature. (that is advice I got from a fire dancing forum a while ago- but i think it applies here...)
azzwoo · 2/27/2010
I totally forget moves and find myself aimlessly spinning.... either that or I always seem to remember the same few moves! I'll often write lists, or a few key ones that I always forget, and stick them somewhere I can see them while dancing. You could do something like those words where each letter relates to a move, that might help you remember some? For example CATS..... could translate to:- Chopper Aysha Teddy Superman (just an example, you could make a longer word if you were doing a routine)