First tournament... tips please!

[krunchyfrogg]

Hey everybody. My dojo has decided to enter itself into a tournament for the first time in quite a long time (8-10 years).

 

I'm 28 years old, I'm a green belt, and have been practicing for about a year now. I've never been in a tournament, so I have no idea what to expect.

 

All I know (so far) is that this tournament will have sparring and kata contests. I know it's not full contact (my Sensei described the point system as being closer to a game of "tag" than real sparring), but I'll have to wear padding (I've never done this either).

 

Can anyone please give me some advice, tips, anything? I have no idea what the atmosphere will be like, and any and all advice is welcome.

 

TIA

[foreveryoung001]

The rules of tournaments can vary, but they will explain them at the begining. In some tournaments, they allow sweeps and groin strikes, in some they limit hand strikes to the face, it all depends on who is hosting the tournament, and what rules they would like to follow.

 

The points in sparring can vary as well, but generally, you can score one point for any legal hand technique to the head or body. Kicks to the body are usually one point, and kicks to the head are two points. Excesive contact can result in point deductions or disqualification. Kicks below the belt are usually not allowed, but again all of this can vary. The rounds can be anywhere from one round lasting until there is a certain number of points scored, to multiple rounds with the highest scorer declared the winner.

 

It really is like a game of tag, but it does take some skill. Stay light on your feet, watch for your openings, and remember to be patient.

 

Most importantly, have fun, and try to learn from the different styles that will be represented (if it is an open tournament).

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Good information there foreveryoung001. A few added thoughts. In the tournaments I judge/referee, head kicks are allowed, but only get one point. Also, the groin is a target..so if you're not used to protecting that, be aware. As foreveryoung001 said, they should go over the rules before the tournament starts. If you're not clear on anything..don't be afraid to approach a judge when he's not busy and ask questions.

 

Another thing I think is important, is if you're entered in sparring, watch people spar before it's your turn to do so. You'll get a feel for what you're up against, it will mentally prepare you, and you'll get to see what is working, and what isn't. Stick to the basics. Don't think "I'll dazzle them with my jump spining 360 kick with a full twist and nail him"..and you'll probably fall on your face. Roundhouse kicks are quick and relatively safe techniques to use often, but you need to mix it up a lot. I've always had a very good, and fast backfist which I can put exactly where I want it to go. If you have a fast one (lots and lots of practice), I'd use that a lot also.

 

Be very respectful of the judges, score keepers and your fellow competitors. Avoid growling at them, arguing, making faces..that sort of thing. It will get you nowhere except possible disqualified. I've kicked people out of tournaments just on their attitude, and have never had a problem from a promoter for doing so.

 

Also, don't get cocky and jump around pounding your chest if you score a point, or win a match. Bow humbly to your opponent..win or lose, and I would suggest thanking the referee's and judges when you are finished...again, whether you win or lose. Keep your guard up at all times even if you know you, or your opponent socred. Ref's sometiems miss, or don't think a technique is good enough for a point, and both people wil lback off wiating for the ref's..and they tell you to "FIGHT!" You can lose a point real fast that way.

 

It's entirely possible that judges might miss pionts scored by you or your opponent. It's a fact of tournament life, and the worst possible thing you can do is to argue with a ref/judge. You won't win that argument, and it will not make you popular with the judges. Being a "good sport" is very well recieved by judges/ref's. Touch gloves or shake hands (if that's permitted) with your opponent before, and after the match. If your opponent scores a point on you, acknowledge it to him with a nod, or touch gloves before the action starts again. If you hurt your opponent...accidently of course ... kneel down immediately with your back to him. Never, ever gloat! God, how I hate competitors that do that!

 

I hope that helps...and good luck!

[47MartialMan]

Do not go thinking of winning. Go and have fun. Mix/mingle with others. Make it a martial art social event. Then the event would happen and end seemingly quick.

[aefibird]

Good luck for your first tourney! I hope that you enjoy it.

[Kicks]

Since I don't compete in your style I won't go into strategy, but instead some other preparations. Let's talk hydration and nutrition. Be sure to be well hydrated. The day before the tournament you should drink enough water that your urine is clear. Bring water to the tournament, not sports drinks. If you want a sports drink, save it till after you're finished competing. Eat a good breakfast of complex carbs. I like whole wheat pancakes the morning of a tournament. Bring some healthy snack to snack on during the day to help maintain your blood sugar level. You don't want to eat a candy bar to get that sugar rush and then crash as you enter the ring.

 

You will probably feel butterflies in your stomach, you might get a dry mouth (cotton-mouth) and your legs will feel like they are made of cement. I've been competing and winning for seven years now and I still get that way. It's natural. It sometimes helps to distract yourself from the competition by talking to and getting to know the people in your division. I've made friendships with several guys I normally compete against. It helps you realize that they are just normal folks like yourself. If your legs feel heavy, lay on your back with your feet up against a wall. This has helped me before.

 

Get a good warm up if you can. When I am judging it's hard to break away to warm up before I compete, but as a green belt you shouldn't have any problem. Try to break a sweat. Get your second wind before competing.

 

And yes, it's very important….HAVE FUN

[aefibird]

Try and remember things that your instructor has told you. Use simple techniques in the sparring - go for what you know. It's better to win a bout simply by using reverse punch, than to lose a bout by attempting fancy, flashy or difficult techniques.

 

As for kata, choose the kata you most prefer and practice it over and over and over again. You'll most likely be nervous when you enter the competition, so you'll need to perform a kata that you can do "in your sleep".

 

Finally, if possible, go along to a tournament or two beforehand and try and get a feel for what they're like (hint: they involve lots of waiting around ).

 

Even if the tournaments are in a different style of MA to yours you can still pick up hints and tips.

 

There's a lot of TKD tournaments where I live and I like to go along and watch them whenever I can, even though I do not train in TKD. Watching how another style does its techniques can often give you insight into how your styles moves should be.

 

Oh, and I'll second what Kicks said... HAVE FUN!

[Shane]

You might want to sit back and watch. See how many of your classmates end up in the hospital. If to many end up having to go by ambulance then you might want to think about training at a school that lets you spar a little more intense prior to sparring in a competition.

 

I dont know what the rules of this competition will be but dont just expect little tap touches during the sparring, bump up your sparring training as part of the preperation.

 

Have fun but be ready for it, training is the key and make it intense (based on whatever rules you will have)

[Marcus Aralius]

we had a few injurys at our tournament and most of them happoned in the older contestents, the thing in non contact is that sometimes you can slip up and because you can "punch" to the head thats usually where most people slip up, really theres nothing to worry about, the atmosphere will be great and maby you'll go away with a trophy or two, good luck man

[ramymensa]

When I first participated at a tourney I was nervous and I couldn't calm down although I knew that's the way to be and it's not quite a good idea to get in there too emotional. I've given this advice to so many people and still when I have to go to a contest or exam (for the next belt) I almost faint from the emotions. It's because I've made my own expectations and I try to make everything perfect. When you are battling your own consciousness you can't ever win

 

So my advice I always break ... try to focus on your work and be as calm as one can be in such a case. It's too late to try to fix anything on the last minute, so just go there and do your stuff the best you can. Enjoy the experience and take the result as it is. A win or lose situation is a good learning tool. You've got to live with success and live after the defeat

 

Good luck and keep us posted.