10 Things to do in Preparation for a Martial Arts Semi-Contact Open Competition. Part2.

Is your first competition coming up or are you a seasoned pro?

You will find something here for you in part 2 of my 10 things to do in preparation for a Martial Arts semi–contact open competition.... Yes it’s a mouth-full. But it is important to distinguish between the many different Martial Arts (MA) competitions out there.

Having said that, an element of this will apply to most situations.

Part 1can be found here

Let’s get into part 2:

Clothing, Equipment and Safety

As a Martial Artist, you’ll have a kit with most or all the above in it. But there are a few things to consider. 

If you have bought any of the above new to be used on the day, make sure you not only try them on before. But actually use them for their intended purpose to make sure they are the right fit and ‘comfortable’. 

Nothing worse than a gum shield or sparring glove that just keeps niggling at you or head guard that keeps spinning and obstructing your view as soon as it is tapped.

Also it is an area where it is better to have a piece of kit and not use it than  to need and not have it or having to go round trying to buy of borrow someone else’s.... It can put you off your game.

Location of venue       

Seems pretty obvious, but this is one event you do not want to turn up late for, because you couldn’t find it or there were two ‘St James Halls’ and you turned up at the theatre instead of the sports hall.

Getting there early gives you a chance to have a wander around at the place, find out what facilities are available in both the building originally and also any additions the organisers have put in place.

Also, you will mostly have any announcements concerning the day’s competition read out at the beginning... You don’t want to miss them even if you are experienced... There is always something unique about each one.

Then there is the all important having a nose around at your potential competition on the day. You’ll be amazed at what you will find out that can actually help you beat the competition... Given away freely just for you being there and listening... Yes please!

(And you probably thought ‘location of venue’ was just a filler.)

 

Competition fuel

Diet

The all important diet... What to eat and drink during training, before the competition and on the day? Thankfully we live in a world of information like no other before. So there is tons of information available on the web, T.V. bookstores.

I actually think it’s more about the importance to your results and general well being and having the will power or should I say habit of eating well than knowing ‘what’ to eat...

We all know fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, legumes are good for you, but! Do we all eat them to the exclusion of the not so good for us food?

I recommend find a meal plan that is right for you and stick to it... Research if you need to and if it’s a will power thing, try getting a friend to hold you accountable. Better yet train with you and share the same diet.

Ultra important!

Adequate rest

This one is a very individual thing, but most of us ‘know’ how many hours sleep we need to feel well rested the next day.

I will say right here at the beginning, that regardless of your Family, work or training schedule. You want to get ‘your’ adequate amount of sleep every night for at least seven days before competition day... And that is a gem, right there.

Now, training days and non training days, yes, your body needs rest to rebuild torn muscle tissue from training and general recuperation. There is a doctrine that says you shouldn’t train everyday. 

This may vary between peoples body type. But I think it is rather about what training you do if you are going to train every day.

I believe it is more important not to over-train. If you do, then having a non training day may not be of much use anyway.

Again, I appreciate this varies from person to person... Listen to your body and get some advice if you feel the need.

In my case, I regularly train everyday and vary what area of the body is getting the work and in some cases the type of training, Thereby having a different effect on my body in each case.

Visualise success

If you are not familiar with visualising an outcome...  Which in this case is Winning your class at the competition or winning an award for best Kata or, Fighter of the day.

Then don’t sweat it.... Just imagine you are playing a movie or a youtube video in your mind, of what you want to happen.

It’s just like day dreaming, only you are in control, in that you deliberately decide just what it is you want to dream about and you create it in your own mind. It is as simple as that... No need to complicate it.

So, visualise the result you want and then play it in your mind repeatedly.

There you have it, part 2 and the end of our look at 10 things to do in preparation for a martial arts semi-contact open competition.

Hope you have found it as interesting to read as I have to write... This is all from experiences, good and bad. I didn’t have a guide like this in 1991when I did my first competition and subsequent competitions in the early 90’s. Come to think of it, don’t recall Google being around either.

All that is left to say is if you are just about to go out and do that first competition and you're feeling a little nervous. First make sure you have prepared as best as you can. Then... Go out and have a plan to just have fun and enjoy the experience. Good luck! 

You may be pleased to hear, or not, as the case may be. In preparing for this post the thought process has spawned enough ideas for maybe another 20 post’s or so... Watch out.

As I write, I’m thinking of a way I can put a trail marker. Bit like a little DNA in all the subsequent post’s that come as a result of this one... I’ll Google it.

Please feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the box below.

Thank you for taking the time.