DDR 101: Planning

and dont forget this: MAN UP and lose the soft pads!

They are beginners playing on light and standard who might or might not take up the game through over a year's period of time. Buying a cobalt flux unless REALLY interested is a bad idea.

This is good. I want to reduce the chances of my legs "giving out", and want to go hardcore with the 15 footers and up. "...absorb water in your muscles to repair..."? Yes, I think I need more of that.

I only drink water, and the only "sugar" stuff I drink is coffee, and that's about 2 spoons. Other than that, I eat rice and bread, so I think I'm good, right?

It's n ot stamina to keep playing, is playing and effectively stepping out most of the steps on a 15 footer and up. I agree it also has to due with it being a mental thing. Or I just need to take it step by step haha.

I don't think someone playing light would...need that....

I was answering back to Daiz. For the beginners, they should just drink water and stay away from greasy food lol.

I eat greasy food.

Lesson 1

Buy a decent dance pad (Cobalt Flux with USB).
Download StepMania.
Download quality simfiles (or find someone to share with you).

Lesson 2

Play daily and enjoy.



I have to agree with most here that this guide for beginner / light mode is silly. Usually for new players I just have them do the ITG PC tutorial song and possibly the Training songs from DDR Hottest Party, then I let them do beginner mode on songs they enjoy listening to, seems to work well and doesn't require any additional explanation.

---

Investing in a game at such an early stage is not the best idea, hellrazor.

Sugar itself isn't so bad if you're wanting it for DDR purposes. I generally drink a sugar free redbull to prevent the "sugar crash". People will tell you to "run or jog" to increase stamina but this won't work as running generally uses a different set of muscles. Jump roping is probably the best exercise that would increase stamina for DDR.

Once you hit the stamina wall, try doing doubles. Even on easier difficulties, once you get used to "stretch out" to hit steps across two pads, when you go back to one pad, you'll find it much easier.

Also, there are several playing techniques you can use such as minimizing your movement or holding your arms inward during fast turns (arms in = less centrifugal force needed to turn, look at dancers/ice skaters, they do the same thing). Also, mentally hold back on stepping hard if you can help it, especially if your goal is just to pass the song. I find when I play 10s, I have to step lighter in order to hit some of the longer 16th note runs without having my legs "lock up".

I keep trying to say that this guide was supposed to be getting people from light/standard to heavy.... (i.e. lessons about crossovers, gallops, step-jumps, stops, gimmicks, etc)

there are only soooo many lessons that you can offer before you realize ddr grants those tutorials

though, I believe the visual aid would help people.

I'll try the sugar thing. Not too much sugar, but enough before I play DDR.

I'm currently jogging, and it is a different muscle group, but if it makes my legs stronger in general, I'll do it, otherwise, jogging is for my heart. But if jumping rope is better, I'd rather to that haha.

Doubles...expensive, but I know an ITG place with joint premium. If it helps, I can do some until I learn to do it on hard/expert.

I know all those techniques, but I do have a tendecy of stepping hard.

Thanks for the tips!

That's the reason I was going to do it for my friends. When crossovers and other words come out o my mouth, they just stop dead in their tracks and wonder what the heck I'm talking about. When I show them a certain stream that can be designated as a crossover, they understand and say, "Oh! You mean those bastard steps I always mess up on?"

yeah, but you could at most take 1 minute to explain each.

It's a mental block, indeed. Just like the whole "not standing in the middle" thing. If they really want to improve, they'll figure out themselves, but it's good that you're giving them visual aid. I just hope it works. Again, tell them to play a song on Basic. 90% of DDR songs on Basic would at least have one crossover.

Aegis: I'm sure he will in his videos.

The "Play every day" thing worked well for me, although when I struggled with songs I sometimes played it on a slower SONG speed or watched youtube videos to see how others stepped it, never needed a tutorial for any of that. And stating what type of shoes to buy to go from Light to Heavy? You can wear combat boots and do most songs on heavy mode, but it's not like it matters because most shoes aren't available in my size (16) and I managed to get fairly decent at the game although I enjoy wearing KungFu shoes the most when I play.

---