First, there are different styles of tights or leg wear – leg warmers, Capri pants, leggings, leotards, unitards, and bodysuits, to name a few.

Legwarmers are acrylic knit socks, sort of like sweaters for legs that dancers wear for extra warmth while dancing. They usually sit just below the knee and have stirrup slots at the toe to fit easily over a pair of dance tights and ballet shoes.

The length of material for tights sometimes determines what they are called. Capri pants are similar to full tights only they end at mid-calf, for a little more freedom of movement in warmer rooms. Leggings are also similar to fully footed tights, only their material ends at the ankle, leaving the foot free.

Likewise, there are longer, one-piece garments like tank top or long-sleeve unitards that give a unified shape and a very clean look for the sake of simplicity. For younger students of dance, clothing suppliers offer “biketards” that extend from the shoulders to the thighs.

Then there are undergarments that protect and accentuate a dancer’s body. Camisoles, bras, and briefs are made of the same nylon and spandex materials as dance tights, and provide a level of comfort and support for layered costumes and dancewear. There are skirts, shorts, dresses, and tutus, for example, that adds colour and shape to the character of particular dance styles.

Then there are the styles of the tights themselves, like fishnets, convertibles, supplex, stirrup, high gloss, and opaque tights that meet the needs of different styles of dance. Opaque and metallic tights are even utilised as casual wear for college girls or to accompany skirts and spring dresses.

Convertible tights have a hole under the arch so that dancers can change into socks, slippers, shoes without having to remove their tights. Stirrup tights have just a band of material to place over the foot for more mobility. Fishnet tights are popular with jazz and more contemporary styles of dance.

One interesting addition to some pairs of tights used in ballroom dancing is the addition of rhinestones or other jewels to add some sparkle to a costume used in competitive dance. The extra flair is noticeable when female dancers twirl and spin on stage with their leading men.

Leotards are a usual accompaniment to dance tights. They generally cover only the torso and have a scoop neck with either short or long sleeves. The higher quality garments are made from the same nylon material as tights are, and the antimicrobial fabric resists bacteria growth and “breathes” well to keep moisture off the body. Bodysuits and unitards cover more of the body, but accomplish the same thing.

The range of colours, varieties, and high-performance materials produced by today’s manufacturers make dance tights more versatile than ever before. Women (and men) of all ages and levels have plenty of options in finding the right dancewear to suit their individual needs.

1. Search for a DVD that will help you learn how you are using your body as you dance, not just do the moves. You want to dance with feeling, not just be a man made robot capable of pulling off a few moves.

2. Aim to get hold of a DVD that will teach you how to be funky when you do the moves. It’s all about the funk, whatever you do in locking has got to be funky and it’s a big part of the dance.

3. See if you can get samples of the instructor’s teaching style to make sure that it suits you. Teachers have different ways of explaining things and you are bound to find some that you are more comfortable learning from than others.

4. Learn from teachers that have expended a lot of time and energy into learning locking. In other words you want to learn from a teacher that will have some of their own knowledge to pass on, as opposed to someone that has learnt it as a fourth or fifth choice dance style.

5. Don’t expect one DVD to teach you everything! One hour of teaching would just be skimming the surface.

6. Make sure everything is broken down for you. When you are in the learning stage, you want to know exactly what each part of your body is doing and when. You don’t want to second guess!

7. Select the right level. If you are a beginner, start at beginners!

8. Make sure your instructor knows who Don Campbell is!

9. If you are buying a locking DVD, don’t expect a popping and locking DVD unless it says that’s what it is. A locking DVD will normally be just that – just locking included.

10. Make sure your instructor knows the difference between popping and locking!

11. Expect to work hard – don’t select a DVD because you think it will keep you seated in your chair.

12. Do your own research. In addition to getting your hands on a DVD, learn about the history of the dance, get to lessons and learn as much as you can about the dance style you are studying.

One of the most famous chokes is the guillotine choke, aptly named as it causes severe pressure on the neck of the assailant/opponent (although it shouldn’t decapitate the opponent if applied correctly). The choke itself can be utilized in 2 separate ways, both rendering the opponent unconscious if applied for long enough periods of time. One of the methods is a tracheal choke, compressing the trachea and preventing oxygen flow to the lungs, and the other blocks blood flow to the brain, both resulting in an unconscious opponent.

It can be applied while in a standing position as well as on the ground. Additionally, one can begin the move in a standing position and “pull guard” and pull the opponent down with you, cutting off his ability to spring an attack. This allows you to control the opponent better and make sure he cannot run off or throw knees into your body or groin. Pulling guard is often thought to be a risky type of move due to the fact that if your opponent pulls out of the choke, he is now on top of you completely and can reign down blows on your body. This is why you must be careful when pulling your assailant down; be sure that your hold is firm and he cannot escape.

When practicing with a friend or fellow BJJ teammate, it is important to understand that serious injury can occur if you hold the choke too long. Signaling that you’re about to go to sleep or that you cannot get out of the hold is very important and is almost universally achieved with a tapping motion, either on your opponent’s body to let them know of the tap out, or on the mat loud enough for a referee to hear.

Children that take lessons at kids dance studios have to guard against injuries. A good instructor will do whatever it takes to protect children from injury. However, accidents do happen. There are two injuries that young dancers experience quite often.

Ankle Sprains

A sprained ankle is a common mishap. In fact, it’s probably the most common mishap that dancers face. An ankle that has been sprained in the past is more likely to be sprained again. It’s easy to get an ankle injury. Performing a step wrong or landing incorrectly after a leap are common invitations to ankle damage.

A child may not realize their ankle is injured when it first occurs. But pain when walking is the first sign. There may also be swelling. In severe cases, the child might not be able to put any weight on the ankle at all.

The best cure for a damaged ankle is rest, ice, compression, and elevation. It usually takes two to three weeks for an ankle to completely heal. It could take much longer if the injury is severe. And then, the child should still be checked to make sure the ankle can withstand rehearsals and performance. If the injury is extreme, the child might require surgery.

Pulled Hamstring

Dancing isn’t a contact sport, but hamstring injuries do occur. The hamstring is a very important part of a dancer’s body. It’s used in practically every movement the lower body makes. When it becomes stressed or too tight, an injury can occur.

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize when they have a hamstring injury. They might think all they need to do is stretch more and things will get better. But, that’s the wrong thing to do. Stretching a pulled hamstring makes it worse. The hamstring should be allowed to heal first. Only then should stretching and strengthening exercises be performed.

Technique is Important

Injuries are a part of a dancer’s life. Luckily, the injuries usually aren’t too serious or career ending. Encourage your child to dance, but also encourage them to use proper technique. That’s the best way to minimize the possibility of injuries.

The first step, and probably the most important, is to properly warm up before you perform any kind of physical activity whatsoever. Warming up can consist of just a few little effortless stretches or running in place. This greatly reduces any risk of injury you might have possibly obtained, which could damage your progress severely. There is plenty of evidence out there to support this. Not properly warming up can also affect your game. You may not run as fast or jump as high as you normally could. So please take the time to warm up. As mentioned already, stretching is another way you can jump higher. This is very similar to not warming up. Stretching your muscles properly causes them to contract and work better than a tight muscle. As always, you reduce your risk of sustaining an injury. A lot of people searching for ways to jump higher will probably notice how much their vertical jump has improved just by stretching and warming up.

You should probably also consider starting a healthy diet. This is because what you eat determines your performance on and off the court. This is probably one of the hardest things to change about yourself, but in the end it is worth it. If you want your body to run like a well oiled machine, drop the burger right now! Start spreading your meals out so you are eating five or six times a day instead of the normal three times a day. Consume lots of proteins to help your body build muscles up. Along with consuming more proteins, eat some good carbohydrates from whole grain sources and drink plenty of water. Consider also adding fruits and vegetables to your diet. Your workout regimen is up next. When looking for ways to jump higher, it is extremely important to get the right workout suited towards this goal. Focus on doing some plyometrics, such as squats and jumps. You can do normal leg exercises as well. Of course, you have to have proper rest and recovery time. A workout routine can cause your body to endure a lot of abuse, and will hinder your abilities if you don’t take good care of yourself.

In conclusion, these five tips are a great starting point for you as you are discovering ways to jump higher. There are more in-depth workouts out there, as well as special trainers you can recruit who can design a more specific plan that targets the main muscles needed for jumping. Be sure to remember that the days you don’t go to the gym or enforce a routine of some kind are just as important as the days you do go to the gym. Hopefully, you got something out of this that can help you improve your game.