Competition Etiquette 101: The Rules No One Tells You… But Everyone Notices

There are things in life you just assume don’t need to be said out loud.

Like…
Don’t cut in line.
Don’t talk during a movie.
Don’t stand directly in front of someone and block their view.

And yet…

Here we are.

Because somewhere between the adrenaline, the costumes, the quick changes, and hour 9 of competition day… some of these “unspoken rules” seem to disappear.

So let’s talk about them. Kindly. Honestly. And maybe with just a little bit of side eye 😅

1. If a Routine Is On Stage… Stay. In. Your. Seat.

I cannot believe this needs to be said.

If there is a dancer on stage performing
👉 Do not walk down the aisle
👉 Do not enter a row
👉 Do not exit your row

Unless it is a true emergency
(crying child, costume malfunction, dancer emergency… you get the idea)

Otherwise… sit tight.

Yes, even if you “just need to sneak through real quick.”
You are not sneaky. I promise.

You are:

• Blocking someone’s view

• Distracting the audience

• Potentially ending up in someone’s video or photos they paid for

And yes… we literally had to stop a group last weekend from crossing in front of us while our studio was on stage.

They looked at us like we had three heads.

We were nice. We said, “Our studio is on stage.”

But also… come on.

2. This Is Not Social Hour… Please Stop Talking

Whispering? Fine.
Actual conversations? Absolutely not.

If your voice is louder than a level 1 whisper… it’s too loud.

And even if you thinkyou’re being quiet… you’re probably not.

Because I promise you this:

If it were your dancer on that stage
pouring their heart out…
and someone behind you was:

• chatting about weekend plans

• catching up with a friend

• discussing the weather

You would be livid.

Take it to the lobby.
Or wait until between routines.

Respect the moment.

3. Do Not Enter a Row… Then Stop and Have a Full Conversation

This one… this one almost took me out last weekend.

I’m watching a routine. Not even my studio’s. Just one I genuinely enjoyed.

A woman enters the row (already breaking Rule #1)…
then stops.

And proceeds to have a full blown conversation with her husband.

Standing.
Blocking.
Talking loudly.

I did what any rational dance mom would do…

I stared directly into her soul until she made eye contact.

You know the look. The one where your eye starts twitching just a little.

She immediately crouched down and said “oops.”

Did she stop talking?

No.

Progress… but not enough 😅

4. Let People Cheer… Seriously

This one might be controversial… but I’m saying it anyway.

Let. People. Cheer.

Clap. Hoot. Holler. Support the dancers.

Unless someone is literally screaming into your ear… let it go.

I had a kid turn around and ask me to stop cheering because it “hurt her ears.”

Now… I responded kindly.

“Sorry, it’s my kid and her team. I’m going to cheer for them.”

Because I wasn’t:

• screaming in her face

• being obnoxious

• directing it at her

I was cheering toward the stage.

And if you’ve ever had your dancer up there?
You KNOW that energy matters.

5. But Also… Don’t Be “That Cheer Person”

There is a line.
We all know it.

Do not:

• lean into other rows

• scream like a banshee

• bring blow horns or megaphones (yes, I’ve seen it … cowbells anyone??)

Read the room.

Lyrical or Contemporary?
Let it breathe.

Hip Hop? Jazz? High energy number?
Let the cheers fly.

It’s called awareness. Use it 😉

6. Clap for Everyone. Yes… Everyone!

When the announcer says:
“Please welcome to the stage #500, ‘Sparkle Twinkle Starlight Bright Magical Choo-Choo’…”

Clap.

Not just for your studio.
Not just for your favorites.

For everyone.

Because these kids:

• work hard

• show up nervous

• put themselves out there

And when a dancer walks on stage to silence?

It’s heartbreaking.

Same goes for awards.

Even if it’s not your dancer… clap.
That quiet “congratulations” energy? It’s not it.

And trust me… the kids feel it.

7. Awards Are Not the Time for Loud Conversations

I know. It’s a long day. Everyone is tired.

But there are people in that audience:

• listening for their dancer’s number

• tracking results

• holding their breath for that moment

Your loud conversation?
Not helping.

Celebrate your dancer when they go up. Absolutely.

Just bring it back down as they move on to the next category.

8. And Please… PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY DURING ROUTINES!

This is the big one.

Do not record.
Do not take photos.
Do not “just grab a quick clip.”

Ever.

Yes, some competitions allow you to record your own dancer.
But many do not.

And last weekend?

I watched a full grown man record routine after routine.
Different studios. Different dancers.

It gave me the ick.

We got staff involved. It was handled quickly.

But here’s the thing…

You don’t know whose child you are recording.
You don’t know the situation.
And you definitelydon’t want to be the reason a team gets disqualified.

Because yes… that happens.

Put the phone down.
Pay the media fee.
Be present.

Awards? Totally fine. Capture your dancer.

But during routines? Respect the space.

9. One More… Because It Needs to Be Said

Be aware of your space.

Your bags.
Your chairs.
Your feet stretched across the aisle.

Dance competitions are crowded.

We are all trying to exist in the same space for 10+ hours.

Be mindful. Be respectful. Be kind.

Final Thoughts

None of this is groundbreaking.

None of this is new.

And honestly… none of this should need to be said.

But if we all just took a second to be a little more aware…
a little more respectful…
a little more considerate…

The experience would be better for:

• the dancers

• the parents

• the studios

• everyone

Because at the end of the day…

This is about the kids on that stage.

Let’s give them the audience they deserve.

Until next time, TCDM Fam. 💙