first competition coming up need help

[davec]

hi guys i have my first competition coming up in jan and when i sparr with my instructor he says i telegraph my shots he can see them a mile away how can i stop this. the comp is an open comp and i will be doing kata and kumite any tips gladely accepted. i study shotokan and ill be orange belt and im 34 yrs young.

[Wastelander]

hi guys i have my first competition coming up in jan and when i sparr with my instructor he says i telegraph my shots he can see them a mile away how can i stop this. the comp is an open comp and i will be doing kata and kumite any tips gladely accepted. i study shotokan and ill be orange belt and im 34 yrs young.

Your instructor being able to see your attacks coming a mile away is fairly irrelevant, really, since you will probably be competing with people around your skill level. To answer your question, though, you really just have to practice launching your attacks without any extra movements.

[sensei8]

Sing it with me...

Time is on my side...yes it is...whoa whoa time is on my side.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...

As a beginner, it'll take a lot of time, and thus, training to nearly eliminate any telegraphing. At first you'll be an open book for all to see, especially to those intermediate/advance kyu levels, and even more to those dan levels.!!

Even after that and all the way to Judan...PRACTICE over and over until it's rarely detected. That means, spar over and over until the wheels fall off and then some more.

Good luck and let us know how the trainings coming through.

[Vagabond]

First of all what kind of sparring? Knockdown or point? If it is knockdown telegraphing is bad, but I would not worry about it so much. If you are in point sparring learn to faint attacks. Do a lot off pad work, a lot of sparring, and a lot of bunkai. Like everyone else said practice, practice, practice. Also practice, analyze, re-evaluate, practice, and repeat. I suggest a video camera if you can. You would be surprised at what your brain can figure out for you.

[wayneshin]

I'm going to answer from a point of view of point sparring because that is where my experience lies and you are studying shotokan.

As previously mentioned practise your feinting.

I often show the analogy with my students of dodging a ball. I put one of them on the wall and say when I throw this dodge. Its pretty easy the first time but the second time I hold the ball and fake a few times. Dodging has suddnly become more difficult.

So - How to feint. In point sparing a feint is essentially a movement into you oponnents range (or close to) There are a heap of ways your can do it but the simplest to explain is to touch (or pretend you are going to touch) the front glove.

Key points to remember.

1. Be spasmodic

2. Watch the reaction.

3 Be aware that if you step into range they can also attack you. Maintain awareness.

Good luck with your comp.