Do-gi

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. Tournament was today, and I am exhausted. It was a complete emotional rollercoater, because at one point I was told my division had been merged with the brown belts(!), so I was panicking like you wouldn't believe, then I saw the brown belts already competing so I thought I'd missed it (so more freaking out), then I was told I would be doing kata with the browns but kumite with another division so I started panicking again because I'm GREEN (let's remember this), and then I was told I was not competing with the browns at all. So I started to relax, calm down and bam they tell me I'm competing against grades that are only slightly lower than brown! I finally meet my kumite division and I start freaking out again because they're either really huge/heavy, or really tall!! So, in the end I got gold for kata, and silver for kumite. I'm pleased I bet the brown belt that was there, but the really tall blue belt bet me by one point. I think the brown belt thought I was an easy win so she got complacent. But I really, really want a double gold!! I've got grading (hopefully) in two weeks, and then another tournament, so I'm going to try even harder. Thanks guys for all your awesome suggestions and advice! Do-gi.

Speed. Angles. Both are your friend as a short fighter. Also do not only think of your disadvantages! You are a smaller target! They are a bigger target! But do be aware that their legs/reach is longer. That is where the angles come in. You do not want direct head on "clash" type attack unless you are VERY fast. Working off angles is crucial. Yes, I've had other's tell me how great angles are; however what I don't understand is how to use them. You say unless you use angles you have to be very fast - but in my (limited, I grant you) experience you also have to be very fast to use angles as well. They see you moving off to the side, and just change direction as well. Could you please explain?

I'm extremely competitive by nature. I just have to be the best (not the best mentality). However, I haven't really noticed any others that really compete with each other, 'cept maybe the little kids. EDIT: But never envy or jealousy.

I'm not sure what you mean; at my dojo(s) students don't start sparring until they're at least yellow belt.

Throw a few fakes. There is one thing you can do, but it may be risky. Basically, throw the same move about two or three times such a jab. Then throw a fake jab, followed by another move such as a punch. I'm not sure if this is the best piece of advice mind you. Sounds like good advice to me; I use fakes and dummies quite a lot, and it's really funny how well they actually work!! Especially the mae-geri one: lift/jerk your knee up as if you about to kick - they usually lower their guard to block - and in that instant you lower your leg and strike at their head. And don't worry: you WILL get better.

So, next tournament in a weeks time, couple of (more) questions... In kumite, what do I do against a tall opponent? I'm barely 5'3, which is a slight disadvantage. Basically, what would be the best tactics, strategies and techniques to use? I'm doing bassai-dai (well, I'm 80% sure I'm doing bassai-dai): how can I really ''sell'' the kata? More speed? Power? Cleaner technique? What really sells this kata? Thanks!

Hi everyone, There's a student at one of my dojo's, (I'm a student too, we train together) who has a problem with kumite. She's an orange belt, so a beginner but not bad at it, but she keeps flinching and closing her eyes when someone spars her. She's asked me for help getting over it, but I don't know how to help. I've got a terrible feeling that I instilled this fear - I accidentally hit her in the face while we were sparring. So, any suggestions I can pass on? Thanks! Do-gi.

Thanks guys for your replies! Tournament was today. And kata went terrible. I was put into the same division as a brown belt, red belt, and black belt. I'm so confused. How is that fair? The brown and red told me specifically that they have been training for at least 5 years. I've had just over 1 year. Is it wrong to feel a bit angry about this? Considering that you actually have to state on your entry form how long you've been training for...how could this even be a mistake? I don't want to whinge, but it was just so humiliating. I got first place in kumite against a brown belt, anyway. I've got a tournament coming up in two weeks, and I'm determined to get double gold.

2 years?! Wow. That seems very quick. I've been told that I could be a black belt in about five years time. I've been training for just over one. And my Sensei's very strict, so maybe not even then.

Oh, that's normal? I thought I was a bit weird - I've been training for a year and I still feel nervous when going to class. It's always different, so you never know what's coming!

Mazzybear: Thanks! I'll have a look. My size 4 gi arrived today. I tried it on, and it's actually not as large as I originally thought. It only needs to be a tad smaller, so I though I'd just give it a normal wash. Not hot, and maybe no dryer. If it's still too large I'll do it again, and maybe a little dryer time. Something like that, anyway. However, I really don't want to shrink the pants at all. The roomier, the better in my humble opinion - I hate pants that constrict kicks. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to minimise shrinkage as much as possible with the trousers?

Hey! When I spar I focus on the middle of the torso, so I can see the legs and the arms. I think the only way to increase your stamina would be to train? Spar as often as you can. I go to a training class that focuses only on sparring. Don't know about the videos, sorry! Do-gi.

Hi everyone! I've got two tournaments coming up: one on the march 16th, the other on the 30th. The first one is an all styles one - I'm really nervous about it. I've only ever competed once, and that was a small, local inter-dojo. This one is NZMAC (New Zealand Martial Arts Championships). Basically I'm looking for training tips and suggestions. What do the judges look for in an all-styles tournament? What is freestyle sparring? How can I improve my kata? Speaking of kata, should I do my grading kata which I'm fairly proficient at, or do another higher kata which looks more impressive and I'm also fairly proficient at? Thanks! Do-gi.

Well. This has turned into an interesting....discussion. Thanks for the bucket load of info about the Kiai. My instructor has told me what the kiai is for, and why it's necessary. So I know it's not just a fruitless yell. I think part of the problem is that I'm afraid I'll get criticised on it. How it sounds, how loud it is, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love constructive criticism - it's my best friend and I'll have that over compliments any day. A kiai is just a very personal thing (I think) and to have someone say it's pathetic sounding would...I dunno. For kihon my kiai sounds like ''Sear!'', or ''Sia!" Short-ish and sharp. For kata my kiai changes to an "Ay-yah!'' Is this okay? I'm particularly worried about the kihon one. I know many people say the sound isn't important....but other's have said that people still expect you to sound 'generic'.

Old post, I know, but: 1) Play to your strengths. 2) Keep moving. I dance around a lot and it completely confuses my opponent. Some of them actually start asking me to stand still. Do-gi.