When you think you give 100%....until....

[parkerlineage]

My guess is that it's mostly mental - I'm sure you're in physical shape, and your technique is adequate; you need to simply visualize doing real damage with your strikes, and allow yourself to hit that hard. Good luck with that.

[Shotokan-kez]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It all makes sense and i will put my all into it. My Kia's were weak also last night and sensei said 'your a 2nd kyu, where are your shouts?'. I really wouldn't have minded another three months, it was just that after he said i could grade he said i wasnt powerful enough which is what got to me really. But when i think about it he must think im good enough otherwise he wouldn't let me do it. So all i have to do now is impress him, thats vital. I have never failed a grading before and i dont intend to start now!

[patusai]

Perhaps although you thought you were putting in 100% you were putting in 95%. Your instructor might want to motivate you

[Scotty]

Perhaps although you thought you were putting in 100% you were putting in 95%. Your instructor might want to motivate you

yeah, sometimes my teacher does that even when I'm training well. Because the thing about power is it's open ended... you can always go just a bit harder. But a technique is either right or wrong pretty much. So don't lose faith and keep throwing everything into whatever you do!

[parkerlineage]

And your instructor may also be trying to intimidate you and add to your nerves about testing - mine did for my junior and regular black belt tests.

[Shotokan-kez]

And your instructor may also be trying to intimidate you and add to your nerves about testing - mine did for my junior and regular black belt tests.

You know i kinda felt a little intimidated last night when he was telling me off. Every time i do a ushiro-geri i tend to pull the back of my knee and i told him and he said 'no excuses'.

[parkerlineage]

Yeah, he's totally psyching you out. Granted, it's good to try to overcome things, but if he isn't normally that way, he's psyching you out. I would say don't let it get to you, but a) that's not possible, and b) you should, a little bit. When you test, give it 200%. I'm guessing your sensei wouldn't say/do/make you do things unless he knew you could take it.

[Jiffy]

Definately give it your all and let nature take it's course.

"Worrying is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but won't get you anywhere." - Van Wilder

[ps1]

But when i think about it he must think im good enough otherwise he wouldn't let me do it. So all i have to do now is impress him, thats vital.

I have a feeling, this is the exact reaction your Sensei is expecting from you. Now...just do it.

I would offer you good luck, but I have a feeling you do not need or want luck. Best wishes in your grading.[/u]

[AngelaG]

I think you are over-worrying. Your sensei has seen fit to put you in for the grading, whilst other people have been held back, so he must have faith in you.

The truth is that instructors are often hardest on the people they see have the most potential, because there is nothing worse than seeing potential go to waste. (Plus you know those are the students you can push to achieve without worrying they will quit)

Only you can tell how much effort you are putting in. I suspect he is not so much questioning your effort as the way you are projecting it. It's not always easy to show power, whilst also keeping good form, and trying to stay relaxed as well; especially if you have a small build. Try and stay focused, keep a determined look upon your face and kiai your socks off.