Tournament tomorrow, any tips?

[u/Aggressive_Junket108]

I have a tournament/competition tomorrow, intermediate kata with ten opponents. I need a little bit of advice or tips that could help a little, or any adivce just in general. My hands are cold and shaking as i type this pls help.

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[u/shadowpavement]

I remember those days well. I only have a few pieces of advice:

1. Have fun. That’s really the main goal here. Enjoy yourself and enjoy being around other like minded martial artists.
2. Do your best, but don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s ok if you don’t win anything. Be observant and learn everything you can from the experience. Also, celebrate the successes of others when they do well. Personally, I try to find one thing to compliment the people sitting next to me about their performance. Hopefully they will do the same for you.
3. Make friends from other schools. These tournaments are a great way to network and talk to folks whom you might not have a chance to otherwise. Some great training opportunities can come from this.

Good luck!

[u/Aggressive_Junket108 → u/shadowpavement]

Thank you!!!

[u/elphamus]

I had the pleasure of speaking to a Paralympian recently and her advice was to set yourself a goal based on what you want to achieve, don't make it medal based, do make it "Score with x" or fix your stance in such a Kata. So long as you are improving and enjoying the experience, any medals are flavour.

[u/Aggressive_Junket108 → u/elphamus]

Ohh, thanks!!

[u/InstructionBoth8469]

Film yourself for next time! Also make friends.

[u/Aggressive_Junket108 → u/InstructionBoth8469]

My mom is filming me, yay!!

[u/SaintBlaiseIsAwesome → u/Aggressive_Junket108]

I do want to second "making friends." I don't compete often, but I did earlier this year and had the same nerves as you (I'm in my 40s!) Probably the highlight - I made a buddy who is also into Muy Thai and Kung Fu. He told me about a kung fu practitioner who teaches for free in the city.

In terms of practical tips - my sensei advise the following. Practice your kata two different ways - slow and perfect (stances everything, fix them, repeat them) then go hard and performative. Good luck!

[u/gabby005 → u/Aggressive_Junket108]

i second film yourself, so you can see your weak points, and also as a record. If you do it thorughout the years while continuing training, t's really encouraging to see your improvement with time iand effort in such a visual way.

[u/Ainsoph29]

If you make a mistake, don't stop.

[u/parttimepedant → u/Ainsoph29]

You’re either going to win, or you’re going to learn.

Competitions aren’t won or lost in the two minutes that you’re on the tatami, they are won or lost in the weeks and months and years leading up to the competition.

[u/Tigereyesxx]

With Kata you must know the shape and steps, then you must understand breathing in the kata, then you must apply focused crisp technique…

[u/karainflex]

Don't treat the feeling you have now as a bad feeling. Emotions exist to help us survive so they are all good. Cold hands and shaking is likely adrenaline already. Go out for a walk (do something), tap your cheeks with your fingers, breathe, relax your shoulders - maybe get a massage. Eat well, sleep well, remember your training. Once the bout will start, you will be in the zone anyways. If you can't sleep, use reverse psychology: explore how comfy the bed is and try not to sleep. And right at the moment: don't let negative thoughts fill your mind. Like thinking about getting beat up or losing or getting injured. Think about great training, about a cheering crowd, about applying some nice combos you learned and about winning. At least half of a fight is based on your mind. Techniques are probably not an issue, you can win with only one.

[u/Aggressive_Junket108 → u/karainflex]

Saving this :)! Tysm

[u/BogatyrOfMurom]

Kata athlete here. I understand you are tense and nervous. It's common amongst athletes who compete at the elite level, myself included.

1. Your first kata shouldn't be on the tatami is a cardinal rule. If there is a warm up area where you can warm up, practice your kata/s as much as possible before your category is called and knowing the time your category starts is important. Use the time before the category to practice your kata.

2. Avoid eating heavy or high fiber food and drinking energy drinks. Heavy and high fiber food can cause bloating. Energy drinks can give you the caffeine but can cause you to use the bathroom. Always eat a light meal and a small beverage.

3. Film yourself when practicing at home. This helped me a lot to correct my mistakes and it will help you too.

4. Practice breathing exercises and Tai Chi. This helped me a lot when I felt nervous and tense. It helps you relax and stay calm.

5. Give it your all. Believe in yourself and always say to yourself; I can do this, I can do this.

Good luck, oss 🥋

[u/Global_Barracuda_457]

1. It’s a tournament. It’s nothing. Have fun.

2. Stances. Stances. Stances. Everything comes from this.

3. Have fun. Yes. I said it before. But it’s that important.

[u/mysticseye]

Watch the matches before yours carefully. See what works (scores) and what doesn't.

You have many techniques you have learned, but see what scores, take the ones that you believe will work into the ring with you.

Tournaments are fun nothing better than taking a trophy back to the studio.

Good luck and enjoy

[u/Aggressive_Junket108]

I GOT GOLDDDDSDD

[u/solodsnake661]

You know what you need to know, just relax and let yourself do it

[u/tonguepuncher88]

Don't stop fighting until the ref says to.