Shotokan Black Belt in need of advice

[BlackBeltKid]

I think the key is to work out a lot.

[jaymac]

I am female and have to spar several other black belts alot younger than me and come in hands and legs flailing. Their legs and arms are longer than mine. I learned to circle around and watch them. Watch for openings, mistakes, them tiring because they are flailing about. Then I attack. Work with someone off to the side and work counters back and forth. You can do this. Try not to let yourself get frustrated in your training. Instead remotivate yourself. Take each match as a learning lesson. Before you fight, try not to already in your head be thinking, "this kid is faster than me, he is going to win." Think " I am going to win because I have experience and he is making mistakes."

[cathal]

Not sure if this has been said already, but I routinely get my butt kicked by the older participants in our club. Clean techniques, and life/fight experience seems to be major factors.

Another thing I've noticed is that the older fighters don't "move around" so much. They wait for us younger guys to wear ourselves down

[Killer Miller]

:0)

- Killer -

[Fairfax_Uechi]

This is getting so frustrating. Tonight I sparred several 20 somethings and got my butt throughly kicked. I'm not hurt, or even bruised thanks to the pads, but my ego is taking a real blow.

One guy in praticular was so all over me that I actually turned my back on him, something I haven't done since, well since white belt.

I'm frustrated, saddened, unhappy, depressed, etc., over this. I'm starting, no, I AM doubting my abilities. Its like I'm a orange belt again fighting some brown belt who is just toying with me.

Its really really affecting me mentally. Sorry, I ramble sometimes, especially when frustrated.

One more thing. I've taken some advice here and backed off a bit on the daytime training. I do upper body on Monday and Thursday, and lower body on Tuesday and Saturday. This has allowed me to add more treadmill/running time.

Thanks for listening.

zulu

A little frustration is good. But if it doesn't go away soon, talk to somene about it. What I mean by this is a little frustration will help you want to improve. From your workouts we all can see that you know how to push yourself. What you need now is to learn how to adjust and push yourself in different ways. Or to take a step back and see what's working and what isn't. Believe me. I'm not very good at dealing with setbacks and when I'm going through one it's very hard on me. But when I get through it, then I build from the experience. I'd suggest you do the same thing. Try not to be so hard on yourself. You're learning to deal with what you have. Some folks are younger, faster, stronger, etc. There's nothing you can do about that. But what you can do is to continue to train and figure out what works and what doesn't work for you. FYI, the second part of that - the learning what doesn't work for you is very hard and what you're learning now. So while it doesn't seem like much now, know that it's actually a good thing.

One final thought. HANG IN THERE. We all go through this. What seperates us from the majority of the people in the world is that even when we're discouraged we keep plugging. It's not easy, but you've shown you're able to do things that are tough. You'll be fine. Be kind to yourself and just keep doing your best.

[patusai]

This is coming from a 50+ year old man. You will NEVER be 20 or 30 again. You need to do MA at your own age. MA abilities and development changes as you get older...as you can see. You are not a kid anymore. As for me, the youth are quicker, stronger, taller, etc but,,, when it really counts I believe that I am able to get one good one in and end it all if necessary...hopefully.