Im competing on sundays and getting a lot more nervous then my first competition! Trying to stay calm however i feel like i have to live up to my standard and get the gold medal trying to stay focused any tips?
Put a lemon peel in your mouth when you compete. The chewing tobacoo may work but I have never tried it. You need to have a "plan'. Try to stick to your plan and don't change it (You may change it after tournament if it doesn't work). Offense is the best defense.
1. Eat a a banana and an apple about a half hour beforehand - This makes sure you have a good blood sugar level for energy and potassium in your system so your muscles don't cramp. The food will be about half digested after a half hour. You won't be so full that you're impaired nor so hungry you're impaired. 2. Play some high speed video games - the first version of unreal tournament is perfect for this. You can ramp up the speed to 200%. It will teach you to really relax under high speed and high pressure. 3. Have a ritual - For university exams I tie a yellow bandana around my head. When your thoughts are stormy your little ritual will be a rock and and island in the middle of it. Do something the same before every competition whether it's listening to the same song every time, playing your instrument of choice, or whatever. Just do it the same. It will give you a point of focus and concentration. 4. Learn to play music in your head - You know when you get music stuck playing in your head? You can do it on purpose. Pick that song you know well. You know the one that makes you feel like a boss? It's hard not to feel awesome when you have Kashmir or Sympathy for the Devil playing between your ears. 5. Develop a competition mindset - One of the reasons for the ritual, the same music, the headband is to enable you to slip into a more combative attitude. When you walk into the ring you should look and feel like you're going to eat your opponent.
Some good advice given, but the most important advice you can take is that from your trainer also. Listen to what he says and have trust in him otherwise it is all a waste of time.
As someone who's been in over 100 competitions, you'll learn from every match win or lose. Just keep looking forward and the more comps you compete in the better you'll get. One of the two main reasons I quit was due to a knee injury. Its a young person's game.
If you can get the fights video'd you can realy learn from the footage, and if you post them on MAP the more experianced MAPppers are realy generous with help and advice
You will need to have plan. In the following clip, the guy used the same combo twice successfully within 15 seconds. That's pre-plan and not just luck. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_krfr2l-TCU"]Sanshou 6 - YouTube[/ame]
