Don’t Be the Sparring World Champ

We all know that person that comes to class and can smash everyone but then, at competition, only ever resembles a shadow of how they are in training. In Judo we have a saying for people like that, ‘Randori (sparring) World Champion.’

This post also isn’t meant to be a knock at those people, there are plenty of individuals that struggle at tournament that are really nice hardworking people. But it is always worth remembering that the only single true marker for performance for a combat athlete is competition. While regular flat out intensity training rounds are vital they are still, at the very best, only a moderate indicator of ability.

I think the two major points I like to make on this subject are:

 

1. Don’t think too hard on ‘wins’ or ‘losses’ in training
2. The approach to tournament and dealing with nerves 

1. WINS OR LOSSES IN TRAINING

The days you are getting a bit more stuck into people at training and catching them, they may be a bit more relaxed and just practicing stuff a bit more. That obviously works in reverse too. Of course, analyse where things could be improved but otherwise don’t think so hard on it, especially if dwelling ruins the next round or potentially even the rest of the session. I personally struggled with this until my early twenties. You may have trained more or been busier over the last couple of days, they may not have been, and vice versa. That’s what is so good about tournament because theoretically all athletes can structure things to be towards their peak and be well rested.

When people talk about how good someone is then it’s worth considering their competitive results, if they have any. If they don’t then they are only ‘good’ or proven in training, a ‘safe’ environment where there are no ‘consequences’ for risk or mistakes. Tournament means a player can lose and their day be done in one single exchange, which often brings fear to open up, be aggressive and attempt things. Often said players freeze and won’t go for things they wouldn’t think twice about hitting at the gym. Losing means an athlete can be socially embarrassed, if they view it in such a way. Some just want to win so much the fear of loss restricts them in all areas. Some peoples bodies can’t handle the maximum intensity of contest and they injure early and repeatedly.

Again, competition results are the only true marker of an athletes level.

2. Tournament Approach & Dealing With Nerves

First and foremost, everyone feels nervous- no one travels to a competition wanting to lose or not, at the very least, give a good account of themselves. Experienced players may feel a lesser degree of anxiety but it is always there, they often learn how to relax themselves a bit more and disguise it. So, when you feel nervous you are just feeling the same thing that everyone else is- you are definitely not different in that regard. Nerves are vital to alertness, which is vital for you to perform at your best. It’s all an important part of the process. It will get easier with practice.

In terms of perspective it’s worth remembering that there are only 2 people in a contest so, put purely in the medium of numbers, there can be a 50% chance of loss. Accept that it is a possibility to lose, find an effective style/way to win and run with it. Observe the opponents main threats but otherwise focus on what you are going to do, and go out and do it. The best sports people get themselves to a mental place where they can perform freely, with nothing held back. Winning always requires a certain level of dare. When I was much younger I heard about how people from more religious places like Georgia, Dagestan, Chechnya etcetera believed that God had already decided whether they would win or not, they just had to go out and play their part. I couldn’t appreciate that as a youngster, not that I’m at all religious now but, I began to see how that could leave an individual in a much ‘freer’ state. Personally I loved the feeling of ‘being naughty,’ competition was the time I could let the wheels off a bit.

If you find your thoughts drifting to things like who is watching, what could go wrong etc then using a focal point could be useful. I’d recommend it for something just before or very early on in the contest. If I felt more nervous than normal I used to hone in on the first grip I wanted to take then, as relaxed as possible, run that over and over in my mind. It’s important to remember that no two days/tournaments are the same and therefore it’s normal that you won’t feel exactly the same each time. Routines can be very useful to calm a more nervous athlete but they must be somewhat loose and able to change if needed dependent on circumstances.

Once you get on there and the referee begins the contest those nerves will disappear and all your focus will be on the match; for those that struggle more in the competition arena then it’s about finding ways for them not to talk themselves out of it before they get to that point.

Go, compete, return, go again…..it’s all practice.

 

Danny

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