How to Elevate Your Competition Level with Top WCS Judge Gary Jobst
This post is not my own, but rather a summary of a conference call between Gary Jobst and judges from Sweden. Kebman posted this on Reddit, and you can view the original post by clicking the link below. All credit for this summary is to him. I have copied the main content below as I felt it’s too valuable not to share here also.
“I just came off a conference call with head WCS judge Gary Jobst casting from USA to Wanna Dance in Sweden, where he shared his insights from many years as a WCS dance competition judge with the top judges of the Stockholm WSDC event SNOW.
West Coast Swing (WCS) is a journey. For many dancers, the goal is clear: climb the ranks from novice to champion. But how do you actually make that leap? Gary Jobst, a veteran judge and dancer with over 35 years of WCS experience, offers some crucial insights into what it really takes to go from the beginner stages to mastering the dance floor.
The Novice Stage: Mastering the Basics
For novice dancers, the path to success seems straightforward: get good at the basics. But Gary cautions against the idea that simply mastering solid basics will guarantee you a win at the novice level. While timing, technique, and teamwork (the “Three T’s”) are the foundation, dancers who want to succeed must start thinking beyond just executing their steps.
Timing is a core part of the basics. As Gary explains, many novice dancers are taught to simply “step on the 1” of the music. This helps beginners stay grounded in the beat. But to progress, novice dancers must start anticipating the beat, feeling the rhythm, and getting comfortable with rolling counts and syncopations. It’s not enough to hit the beat—you need to understand and express the music.
Another key element is teamwork. Novice dancers often struggle with maintaining visual and physical connection with their partner. Gary stresses the importance of looking at your partner, connecting visually, and not getting lost in your own dance. This connection is what reinforces everything else—timing, technique, and even musicality.
The bottom line? If you’re aiming to move past the novice level, mastering basics isn’t enough—you need to start elevating your dance with timing, teamwork, and attention to detail.
The Intermediate Jump: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Moving from novice to intermediate is a major milestone, but it’s also where many dancers hit a plateau. “What got you here, won’t get you there,” Gary says, referring to the need to push beyond the basics. Intermediate dancers should already be comfortable with solid timing, footwork, and connection. Now, it’s time to add layers to your dance.
Intermediate competitors need to show contrast. This means introducing dynamics into your dancing—changes in speed, energy, and even direction. Slow down for a beat or two, then pick up the pace. Create moments of stillness followed by sharp, quick moves. These variations keep the dance interesting and show your versatility.
One key tip for intermediates is to focus on variety and contrast. Don’t do the same pattern over and over. Add subtle variations to your styling, like changing handholds, or playing with acceleration and deceleration. But don’t overdo it either. As Gary puts it, variety is the “icing” on the cake. While solid basics are still crucial, variety makes your dance stand out.
At this level, musicality and showmanship also begin to play a bigger role. But remember, they’re still secondary to the “Three T’s.” Flashy moves and overdone musicality can backfire if they come at the expense of technique and timing. So, if you’re still a novice, then basics first.
Advanced: The Refinement Stage
When dancers move into advanced territory, the expectations from judges like Gary Jobst increase dramatically. Judges now expect to see a high level of mastery over the basics, with strong timing, excellent technique, and seamless teamwork. At this stage, refinement is everything.
One thing Gary highlights is that advanced dancers win in intermediate divisions. That’s because they have already mastered contrast, musicality, and teamwork, while still nailing the basics. They know how to play within the structure of WCS, making adjustments in real time based on their partner’s skill level and the music.
As you transition to advanced, one of the biggest challenges is finding ways to show more deliberate, controlled movements without losing connection. Gary recommends focusing on being clear and intentional with your actions. A stronger frame and clearer direction will allow your partner to feel secure and follow more easily. Subtle moves can be powerful, but at the advanced level, they should be clear enough to guide your partner smoothly.
The Champion’s Mindset: Elevating to the Top
Becoming a champion in WCS requires a combination of skill, mindset, and preparation. At this level, you need more than just the technical aspects of dance—you need the right mental approach. Gary emphasizes that champions don’t just focus on winning. Instead, they focus on the connection, enjoying the moment, and bringing their best dance to the floor.
One key to this champion mindset is letting go of perfectionism. Everyone makes mistakes, but champions don’t let it throw them off. As Gary says, it’s not about being flawless but about how you recover from those inevitable slip-ups. A champion keeps the energy flowing, never showing the stress or frustration of a small mistake. The show must go on, and it’s how you carry yourself that can set you apart from the competition.
Gary also highlights the importance of a growth mindset. Even champions should feel some level of impostor syndrome—the sense that they don’t belong in their division. In fact, Gary sees this as a good thing. “If you don’t feel like an impostor in your division, you’re not pushing yourself enough,” he says. Being uncomfortable pushes dancers to improve.
Another crucial element is knowing when to showcase your skills and when to hold back. Champions are experts at controlling the pacing of their dance. Gary points out that while intermediate and advanced dancers focus on contrast, champions have an intuitive understanding of when and how to ramp up or pull back. They maintain a delicate balance between technique, musicality, and showmanship without letting one overshadow the other.
Drills and Practice: From Theory to Reality
To elevate your WCS game, you need to put theory into practice. Gary recommends a few key drills that can help you improve your timing, technique, and teamwork:
- Timing Drill: Use stretch bands to practice your connection and timing. By initiating movement and waiting for your partner’s response, you build sensitivity to timing and connection.
- Teamwork Drill: Dance with your eyes closed to heighten your awareness of your partner’s movements. This forces you to rely on your connection and feel rather than visual cues.
- Video Critique: Take video of your dancing from multiple angles and review it with your coach or mentor. This allows you to spot issues in foot positioning, balance, and partnership that you may not notice while dancing. You can even hire Gary for this, but he cations to never pay the fee until he’s actually sent the critique.
Finally, it’s important to remember that WCS is about more than competition—it’s about enjoying the dance and the journey. Whether you’re a novice aiming to move up or an advanced dancer looking to reach the champion level, focus on your connection with your partner, refining your basics, and pushing your limits in a fun, creative way.
West Coast Swing is a dance where growth never stops, and success is a blend of skill, mindset, and preparation. By focusing on timing, technique, and teamwork while incorporating variety, contrast, and musicality, you can elevate your game and move closer to your goals—from novice to champion.”
