Improving your DDR skills

[jaywooo]

Off the topic but you can get twitches from the weights if you overdo yourself (Do like max 300 20 times with like weights that are 5 pounds each)

I can do weights that are 3 pounds each on each of my ankles and pass a cat song but its hard. Then I take them off and I feel really light which helps pass songs that have fast steps. And its also a better workout :

[Nagorak]

I've got to totally disagree with everyone who is saying to "play with the controller" or even worse "play with the keyboard" in a simulator. Doing either is an absolute waste of time. If you have time to waste, why don't you go out and pick up trash around your neighborhood? The fact of the matter is the only thing you're going to get out of practicing the controller is really skilled thumbs (or carpal tunnel on the keyboard).

You may be able to recognize the steps, but it doesn't matter if you don't know how to step with your feet. It's much faster to just learn to recognize the steps and learn to do the steps at the same time without wasting time exercising your thumbs.

When you're just starting out, the best way to get better is just to concentrate on individual songs and use them to teach you the steps and how to do them.

For example start out with a fairly basic 3 footer like Era. This will teach you the basic steps, with no frills like jumps or eighths. Don't even waste time with 1 or 2 feet songs (especially 1). If you can't get through a 1 foot song on your first try with no difficulty, then you're either a paraplegic, or so incredibly clumsy that playing DDR probably is just a waste of time.

Also, stay away from the Arcades, just play a home version in Training mode on these songs. That will teach you the songs as well as the basics. Contrary to what was said above (by the original poster I believe), mastering a song also means you master all the fancy footwork in it. When you see it in other songs you'll know what to do. For example: if you can do Dynamite Rave basic, I guarantee you you'll be able to beat most other 4-foot songs (not necessarily perfects on the first run, but it's impossible to get good enough to do DR on basic, without also getting generally skilled enough to do other songs).

Once you get good at the basic steps move onto a four foot song like B4u which is fairly easy but adds a few jumps and a bit of a stream.

After that you're ready to learn how to do basic jumps (more so than B4u allows), so play Midnight Blaze. That should teach you how to do basic jumps as well as several jumps in succession. Although the eighths may mess you up on the song, you can start to learn those too.

After MB, move on to Brilliant2u which will teach you how to do eighth notes and then go on to Brilliant2u-Orchestra which is just a bit harder.

Then try Dynamite Rave (all this is on basic by the way) which can teach you how to do more complex jumps. Obviously any of these songs can be swapped to a different one, depending on what machines/mixes are available to you.

After that just keep working on mastering individual songs. As you learn each song, you'll get better even at songs you've never seen before. There's no need to keep playing a song until you've totally memorized it (although being able to get at least an A is nice). As you get better you can also throw in some variety instead of just working on a single song (which can get kind of boring).

General Gameplay tips:

1) Get into the song... I mean, really get into it. The only way to even hope to be able to step to the beat is just to get down to it. If you stand up there like a robot and think you're going to be anything but off beat you're mistaken. If you're just too embarassed to get into the song's groove, then save yourself some money by not playing (or embarassing yourself worse by trying to dance without really dancing).

2) Learn what each of those apparently offbeat steps corresponds too...usually they aren't just put there for the hell of it (although on some songs, I have to wonder). Something that seems totally impossible to do suddenly becomes 100 times easier when you realize the steps correlate to someone singing or a certain beat or sound.

3) Keep practicing until you can step without thinking. Chances are if you have to actually think about your steps, you're not going to be able to do anything higher than a 3 foot song. Learn to turn your brain off and just connect your eyes directly to your feet. I know at times I've managed to somehow just pull off combos on step sequences that I didn't even consciously recognize, so sometimes your body knows what to do, even if you don't. [/code]

[ninjafetus]

Well, of course playing the songs the 'real' way has benefits. It's just practice. But if you're trying Max300 or something like that on maniac, it IS nice to have an idea of where the steps are going before you waste your song in the first few seconds... playing the emulator help me beat that song the first time. Once I had an idea where the steps were going (an IDEA mind you, I definatly did not memorize it), I didn't waste as much stamina hitting them, and could pass the song without collapsing.
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Drunk Slugs.

[Snow Kitten]

[onoessnaked]

Anyone got any hints for building up my stamina? I only started playing a month or so back and currently I'm working on the five/six footers. But, I'm having trouble lasting all the way through (though I'm a lot better than I was!) Afronova in particular is killing me. Stupid afronova.
So, any handy tips for helping me build up the stamina, or is it just a case of keep at it and I'll get better anyway?

Thanks muchly
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Well, it explains the disappearance

[jaywooo]

Just drink like a lot of water and try to work yourself hard.

[ninjafetus]

Always force yourself to go a little further than you think you can go, and then you will slowly go longer. also, try resting less, and LOTS OF WATER!

As for 'knowing what he is talking about', it's a matter of opinion. I've beaten every song there is on single, and I KNOW that getting an idea of Max300 and Unlimited helped me beat them. Then again, maybe it's because they were so fast. Or, maybe, I didn't have an emulator before I got pretty good. either way, if it helps you, do it, if it doesn't... don't.
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Drunk Slugs.

[Snow Kitten]

i end up feeling like i'm a bag of blobby water if i drink water i guess thats when i drink too much!
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[DDR_Boi]

I was wondering when ppl start maniac usually, i went from basic to doing about anysong on maniac (except catas) on maniac in 3 months which is how long iv been playing. Is that normal or fast?.... or slow

[onoessnaked]

*nods* Drinking lotsa water. Gotcha. Maybe that's been my problem all along; I'm an idiot who forgets to drink for days on end and has a habit of passing out from dehydration. And that's when I'm nowhere near DDR! Still, thanks fer the tip.
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Well, it explains the disappearance

[SuperCell2k]

But be sure to drink the water at least a half hour before you go play, and dont drink so much that you get waterlogged and it's swishing in your stomach. Also where clothes that ventilate well. When I go i usually where one of my collared plaid shirts (sounds dorky but they look really cool ) and unbutton it to the very last button, and sometimes all the way, that way i keep cool. Plus, dont lift your feet up too high from the pads, the lower you keep your feet, the less work you'll be doing, and thus will go longer. I keep my feet low, and on occasion i'll scuff up the bottom of my shoe on a bolt, or i'll catch the lip and mess up.
But, the best way to increase your stamina is to just play it a whooooole lot, and by doing that you'll learn your own techniques in which to conserve energy.
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It's a chain reaction!
-Bowser, Super Mario RPG

[CrazyNewbie]

I can do all Trick / Basic songs, but when it comes to Maniac , I fail .. -_-

except those slow songs

Same with me

[SuperCell2k]

I know that this is a little off topic, but I just need to let the entire world know.
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
I BEAT DEAD END ON MANIAC TODAY WOOHOO!!!!
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It's a chain reaction!
-Bowser, Super Mario RPG

[Foot]

A couple weeks ago I went to a mall where they had a giant arcade and ddrmax2. I went there for the afternoon and was playing ddr for about 5 hours. The first song I tried for the heck of it was Max300 heavy. Oops. For some reason I felt that if I was fresh and full of endurance I could pass it. So all that did was drain me too much so instead of sitting down I decided to play Exoctic Ethnic heavy. Pretty soon I had to take a 20 minute break. Eventually after 2 hours of playing I started to get tired less and I finally got into the groove of things. When I knew I was done for the day was when my body was telling me to stop. I got a horrible cramp in my leg on my upper calf behind my knee. It wasnt like a charlie horse but it was painful, and my leg locked up and I had to stop. Stupid me, I waited 5 minutes and started playing again, which I soon found it happened again in both legs. . So I went home. A few days later, I went to a different place where they had ddr 3rd mix. I wanted to play but a person up there was playing and he only played baisic so I decided to play trick for the heck of playing. I played Afronova trick which I think is pretty easy, due to the fact I got an S/AA. Next song was Boom Boom Dollar speed mix Trick. I got another S/AA. So after playing those easy songs I tried SSR. I played Afronova and got an A. Then played Butterfly Speed Mix and got an S/AA and I wasnt tired. I was like wtf? So I got some water and started playing again. Thinking on testing my new founnd endurance I decided to play Dead End SSR. I got an A. Next, still not being tired but very confused and puzzled (normally not nearly this endurant) I try Turn Me On SSR and get an S/AA. Wierd. I get more water, come back, then try Paranoia Rebirth SSR. S/AA!!!! I got really excited, and in my excitement died on Boom Boom Dollar speed mix, lmao, rofl.

A few days later I go to a different arcade where they had DDRMax2. First song I try is Exoctic Ethnic Heavy. Thinking of my newfound endurance I feel fairly confident, then become very surprised as I indeed get tired and towards the end my legs lock up and results in a C. Because on the max series I get like a minute break I take advantage of that and get some water real quick, come back and play Orion78AMEuro Mix Heavy. I put it on 2x normal speed, then get a perfect combo but no AA cuz' I got 90 greats and im all mad . Last I try So Deep Heavy and mess up and set it to normal speed instead of 2x and do really bad and get a D. So now I'm Really Tired, and very confused. Wasnt I really endurant the other day? What happened? I ended up going home early, I played max300 heavy and had to lean on the bars to pass it and that put me out of comission.

What Im Trying to say is I think Endurance is probably 1 or a combination of 3 things. First is overall training, meaning, play a lot, then play a lot more. Second I think is hydration. Ever play a song and feel your tongue get really really dry? Then kinda choke because your mouth is so dry? Obviously thats going to affect gameplay. Another is be sure to drink something good. Sure you may not be thirsty drinking pure sugar aka pop, but trust me its not helping your body. Drink like Ice Tea, or better yet, gatorade, or even better, plain old H2O. Lastly is one thing I think even the most experienced players do. Be sure to WARM UP. Get your blood flowing through your limbs. Your muscles may be all tensed up from doing nothing all day, and you'd be making a mistake like me and playing max300 first song, inevitably making your endurance all day very small. Not warming up can seriously slow you down. I hope if you people read my LONG post you learned something, and will have the endurance of champions
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[SuperCell2k]

Wow, I think I just discovered a new way to do better!
The other day I went shopping, and while I was out I got myself a new pair of shoes, so ADIO's. (Skate Shoes) My old shoes were really comfortable, but the bent really easy and werent very rigid on the outside.
On my new pair of shoes, they dont bent as easily on the outside, and one thing I notice it helped me a lot with were the part where it goes UUUUUUU or LLLLLLLL or someting like that, cuz what it does is it lets you get your foot on and off and back on the same pad faster.
I had considered maybe trying to alternate feet on the same pad for things like that, but i tried it once and ended up falling and f@#$ing up my shin *ow*
So that's my advice for now, get good shoes
P.S. I went to my first college football game today, and omg, so many hot chicks everywhere
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It's a chain reaction!
-Bowser, Super Mario RPG

[ninjafetus]

As far as water goes, it's good to drink some water before you play even if you're not thirsty... kind of like filling up your gas before a road trip even if you have a half tank. You body does not process water instantly, so giving it some time beforehand to get your muscles hydrated is good! If you're thirsty, you already waited too long to get a drink. You shouldn't get thirsty, because you should already be drinking water! Also, if you say you feel bloated when you play, it's because you drank water 2 minutes before you played, not 30 minutes Keep drinking small amounts the whole time you play, and you won't get thirsty or bloated...

Also, as far as muscle cramps go, potassium really helps. A banana is basically a potassium bomb, so if you have muscle cramp problems often, eat a banana before you play. (like 30 min before, convienently when you drink the water!) Eat one if you have a cramp, too. It actually will help it go down faster.

I'd say, of-DDR topic, drink water ANYWAY! Even if you drink 'too much', and have to go to the bathroom alot, you're still flshing out toxins and keeping your body hydrated... it's good for you!
My overly-health-conscious 2 cents
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Drunk Slugs.

[TooNice]

[Recycled Trickster]

I got DDR 4 days ago for muh PS1. I can perfect combo most 4 foot songs and almost there on "dynamite rave" but i have trouble with even really simple songs like "Have you ever been mellow" I just cant find the beat...

[[ddr in socks] Amanda]

i`m on basic but im getting pretty good and finding most songs i do on basic are coming easy to me and wanna move onto trick... do you have any tips and know what are some easy songs to start on trick???
ex. bumblebee.

amanda.

[ToRRoN]