Use an alternated grip. Don't look at floor. Keep your eyes forward and drive upward using your heels. Keep your mind on your heels throughout the entire motion. Practice using dumbells until your form is comfortable and your core is more established. Make sure you use enough weight so that your entire body is stabilizing the load, otherwise you could pick up bad habits.
Thank you MOOK. Totally agree. Do you mean one hand over, one hand under? Yes, trying to drive up w/ heels. It's hard to describe but I'll try:
so I am very aware of how to place weight in heels but the weird feeling is the feeling of falling backwards. If my knees are not to jut out over shoes, and I'm supposed to "drop" butt down and not "stick it out" then I feel like I'm going to fall backwards. I know my core is quite established from years of dance, but it's the "dropping the butt" own vs. jutting the butt out that is getting me.
Also, since I know my form is improper, I hesitate to use too much weight (right now I'm practicing w/ a PVC pipe as a bar) b/c of lower back injury, but they tell me that using weight will help get the feel of the resistance (I get that) but still am treading lightly. If my lower back gets hurt, I won't be lifting anything. What do I do?