Improving your DDR skills

Am Fek Smrt · Trick Member Joined: 28 Nov 2002

My main problem is that on fast songs like Paranoia or other fast songs I play, I have a tough time looking at the screen and quickly figuring out whether arrows close together are either at the same time or are quickyl after the other (1/16s, 1/8s etc). Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can 'train my brain' to see the difference? (besides memorizing the step guides). Or is the old practice addage the only way to go?

Paco de La Noche · Trick Member Joined: 07 May 2002 Location: Rochester, NY

Yep, just practice all the hardest songs you can think of.
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chaoticdonkey · Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2002 7:36 am Post subject: how to do rapid same steps

the easiest way to do things like the repeated steps in dead end is to position your toes in front of the arrow you want to hit quickly, and then hit the arrow quickly with your heel. Look at 8-ball's café edit video for an example.
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Kess · Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2002 4:02 pm Post subject:

I'll take all those points into concideration. Those are nice tips, thanks a lot.
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MaNiAc but not InSaNe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Location: Springfield, VA

it's true that most thing in life arn't black and white but this time it is because if you just practice you get better i mean think about it if you play 24/7 you get good cuz that's what some people do and you wonder why they are that good but it is really as simple as that. another thing is people dont realize they're own progression why dont you look back to when you first played and look at yourself now you're probably better so just look at what you did then just give it time and be patient (one of the hardest things to do ) and stay with it
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LoopyChew · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: Switzerland

I'm not a genius at DDR--it's taken me two years to FC my first cata, and I still have a long ways to go before I can beat double catas (I can barely do 8-footers now)--but I've spent a lot of time observing other people stepping up to the machine and giving it their all. When people ask me for help (because although I'm nowhere near the level of the best), I've got a single tip that I've taken to heart: think of the way you walk.

This addresses the two major newbie problems I've seen:

1. Foot moving back to center every time they hit a panel. This is something engrained into a lot of them because of that stupid 'imitate the characters!' Suzuki method they were told to do in that damn Beginner mode. Ask yourself: When you walk, do you make sure your feet are back together after every step, or do they move independently of each other? (It's kind of hard to explain, but when you do it visually--take a step forward with one foot, bring the other foot forward but no further than the first one, than take a step forward with that second foot, etc.)

2. One foot domination (eg. Left foot for L, Right foot for UDR). A lot of people do this because they can on easier levels, but if they're planning on moving to Trick or Maniac, you're either going to seriously mess up your dominating foot, or you're gonna fail each and every time. Think: You don't use one foot to walk around, do you? You use both. (Visual: shuffle along like Igor, using one foot to move yourself around, letting the other foot drag behind)

It also helps you get into the habit of alternating feet for the most part. It takes a while for your body to understand (old habits are hard to break), but if you can start thinking like that and getting your body to cooperate with you, it'll help out a lot. ESPECIALLY if you look forward to doing doubles.
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MaNiAc but not InSaNe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Location: Springfield, VA

in afronova you just have to do the right turns and if you cant figure it out just go for it and for dynamite rave just follow it because the pattern is very distinct
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sentinel · Trick Member Joined: 13 May 2002 Location: UK

Only thing to do..........practice, practice and practice! Its also to remember the steps.
I have spent lots of money on it........but i can't remember all the steps! Hey no ones perfect!

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WicKedHipPy · Trick Member Joined: 07 Mar 2002 Location: Weehawken, NJ

Just wanted to say that I found this informative and helpful. I kind of wish something like it was up when I first started out last year. Hehe.

MaNiAc but not InSaNe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Location: Springfield, VA

if you just play a lot you should be fine and you have to make sure you dont try to hard because everything has an opposite so if you try to hard you're going to do poorly
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I_learn_in_epiphanies · Trick Member Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Location: Minnesota

We should program a new lesson mode that teaches footwork that would prepare people for maniac difficulty. Half the crap in lesson mode only works up to like 5 footers. The reason it's tougher to get to catas is probably cuz people gotta break their lesson mode habits...like double stepping

instead of doing crosses. We can show em crosses, pivots, turns, all that good stuff necessary to prepare for maniac. Start developing them in basic mode and the transitions will be much easier. Cuz then all you gotta worry about is stamina and speed and arrow reading. Footwork is conquered.

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DDR Sonic · Basic Member Joined: 24 Oct 2002 Location: Saskatoon

I'm improving HEHEHE

Madiison · Basic Member Joined: 26 Nov 2002

How do I get myself to a level to get past La Senorita on manic??

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IcE cOoKeR eX · Trick Member Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Location: Wellington NZ

just practice plenty and remember ur feet are suppost to flow one after the other. err yea practice makes perfect... liertially

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MaNiAc but not InSaNe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Location: Springfield, VA

one problem is most people dont realize their own progression i mean you have to look back and see how you used to be and when you see how you used to be and how you are now the answer is right ther because as long as you stay dedicated and keep playing you wont have any trouble but it mainly takes time just like most things do nothing new there but you just gota stay commited and patient two of the things that suck the most to have to do
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Philosopher JR · Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 1:33 am Post subject:

i can't do much better at P.A. than i already am (POP 8 full comboed with 97.3%) although i'll never stop trying

Am Fek Smrt · Trick Member Joined: 28 Nov 2002

Hey, Maniac but not Insane, could you please use punctuation in your posts so that we can discern what it is you are saying?

Boogiep0pPhantom · Trick Member Joined: 08 Dec 2002

thank you. punctuation is helpful. also, how can i get better at doubles? i can do all but a few catas on singles, due to stamina (EE, HVAM

), and Max 300, but i suck at doubles! anyone ave any tips that might help me to read some of the patterns?
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malachite06 · Basic Member Joined: 15 Dec 2002

im learning rhythem and police right now and todo it i have to slow a section down then learn it then speed up till i can do it on 5 i almost have it the gallops are the easy part for me...
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Foot · Trick Member Joined: 28 Aug 2002 Location: Detroit, MI

Hm. I have a few tips for people who aren't beginners but want to "turn it up a notch."

If you are planning to do catas or any fast song, two words, "HIP TWIST."
I do remember lesson mode, mainly because you get a song unlock on Max for going through it, and they tell you to keep your body completely centered, and there's no way you could possibly do anything remotely difficult that way. You could also easily trip and fall using their method, no wonder why they have that warning sign on before you play.
Anyways, just remember to face forward, but turn your lower half as you play, this way you wont always have to get tangled up making steps, you will only actually be moving your feet a few inches.

On doubles, a similar technique should be used, except, you're going to have to learn to step on the arrows without looking at them. I think the hardest part of doubles is when you must quickly alternate pads. Your best bet is to try and walk across the pads while hitting the arrows, but sometimes, when it's more awkward or faster, your going to have to walk across one pad, then twist your hips and walk backwards on the next pad, all facing forwards. If you can get this down, you should be able to pass doubles catas.

Hope this helps.
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