Do: Move with some confidence. Keep moving your hips to the beat: or at least, your perception of it. No one in the crowded room will notice if you’re off-rhythm

From Dance or Die to 19 South, Ohio University students have plenty of opportunities to go out dancing.

But even frequent dancers can have questionable techniques, said Danny Johnson, a senior who often deejays under the alias DJ Self Help.

“I see a lot of guys who are obviously just trying to make advances on girls because they only have one move,” Johnson said. “They’ll aggressively come up behind the girl, start dancing and then end up getting rejected.”

Sophomore Caitlin Carney goes out dancing almost every weekend, but her leisure activity of choice is tainted by a certain dance move.

“The thing I hate the most is when guys are just standing against the wall while scantily clad women are dancing up on them,” Carney said. “It makes me uncomfortable when people are just humping each other.”

These mistakes and more can be avoided with a few basic tips.  

“Just be yourself, go crazy,” said Melissa Pavlik, junior captain of the OU Dance Team. “Don’t make anything look forced or planned.”

Those wanting to add confidence to their dance routines can attend the OU Dance Team Clinic Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3 in The Convo, Pavlik said. There is a $10 registration fee for the workshop.

Ping Center also offers quarterly classes in hip-hop, contemporary and belly dancing, personal training manager Frank Garigliano said. Registration for these classes is $35 for students.

Men approaching women to dance should learn some basic manners, sophomore Leigh Rathje said.

“Come up and introduce yourself, invite me to dance,” Rathje said. “Don’t just come up behind me, hand me a drink and start grinding away.”

Many people could benefit from being less forceful, Johnson said.

“I usually try to go up and at least make eye contact and dance a little farther away from the girl so I don’t seem as threatening,” he said.

Aspiring dancers could also profit from being aware of those around them, said Michael Bart, who deejays under the name DJ Barticus.

“If you’re in a crowded space, don’t go jumping around and waving your arms,” he said. “If you really need to do that, then come out early when there’s more space.”

One of the most impressive things a person can do is be confident enough to dance alone, Bart said.

“It’s always cool to see the tall, goofy guy that just dances by himself if you play the right Gwen Stefani song,” Bart said.  “A definite do is dancing by yourself and not caring if people see you.”