"I used mental skills such as concentration and commitment in preparation for my performance."

"I used systematic repetition to learn the phrase — I ran through it many times in rehearsal until I knew all the counts. I also responded to my teacher's feedback to improve my performance."

"I performed the AQA set phrase Shift. My teacher told me my arabesque in bar 3 was losing its line because I wasn't lifting from the hip. I practised lifting my leg in isolation in front of a mirror every session until I could feel the correct position clearly. In performance the arabesque was much cleaner and I could sustain it with confidence for the full count 8. I also used systematic repetition for the floor section in bars 6 and 7 — I ran through the transition from the roll to the ending crouch twenty times per session until it was automatic. In performance I could focus on the quality of the movement rather than remembering what came next. I also filmed myself and noticed my arm extension on count 8 of bar 1 was stopping at the elbow. I isolated the arm gesture and practised with a mirror until I could feel the full reach through the fingertips each time. In performance the push back had more power and visual clarity."

"I used feedback from my teacher to improve my set phrase performance."

"My teacher gave me feedback about my arm extension and I practised it until it was better. I also got feedback about my focus and worked to improve this during rehearsals."

"I performed the AQA set phrase Breathe. My teacher told me my eye line was dropping in the opening runs, making the section look closed and unconfident. I worked specifically on directing my gaze forward and upward in every run-through, beginning on counts 1 and 2. In performance the opening section looked purposeful and communicated direction clearly to the audience. I also filmed myself and noticed I was rushing the pivot on count & of bar 1 — the heel-led walks were losing their clear quality. I slowed down the pivot in isolation and practised the transition twenty times before adding it back into the full phrase. In performance the opening walk section was much cleaner and the pivot felt controlled rather than rushed. I also received feedback from a peer who noticed my handstand in bar 5 was collapsing rather than holding — I was not pressing firmly enough through the hands. I isolated the handstand every session, focusing on pressing through the floor to create a straight line. In performance I could hold the handstand position clearly before swapping my feet and landing with control."

"I used concentration and confidence during my performance."

"During my performance of Shift I used movement memory to remember all the counts. I also used concentration to stay focused throughout. These mental skills helped the performance go well."

"I performed the AQA set phrase Shift. Movement memory was vital — particularly in the floor section in bars 5 to 7 where the sequence changes quickly between the key position, the roll and the ending crouch. Reliable movement memory meant I could focus on the quality of each transition rather than what came next. Concentration was tested throughout — especially in the arabesque in bar 3 where a lapse in focus would have caused me to leave the position too early and miss count 8. By staying fully concentrated I was able to hold the arabesque for the full count and maintain the visual tension. Commitment was important throughout — I threw myself fully into the push back on count 8 of bar 1 rather than holding back, which gave the phrase its driven, energised quality from the start."