Such thing as a competition season?

[scohen.mma]

Hey everyone! Because I'm in such a good mood, I have to say this first: tonight was my first night back at my dojo in 2 years! It felt so great.

Anyway, I was planning some workouts because that's just what I do, and I had an "off season" workout that keeps me in shape, focuses on strength, etc. I do have everything organized for a workout during competition season, if there even is one. Or, if there really isnt, would it just be better to train for one tournament at a time, like 2 months prior? With that said, if there tends to be a chain of tournaments within 2 months of each other (no more), I'd consider that a competition season

Thanks in advance!

[AdamKralic]

What do you compete in specifically? Just curious. Everything I've read says you need a month for the body to acclimate (improve) to your "new" normal level of exercise. So a month prior would seem to me to be minimum. Of course you are going to taper off very close to competition...so maybe 5 weeks minimum to cover all bases.

[Wastelander]

Welcome back to training!

To the best of my knowledge, there are no real "seasons" in karate competition. Some organizations will have "seasons" or "point years," but those are just ways for them to organize rankings, and have no bearing on the frequency of competitions. What you are talking about is "periodization"--a training strategy designed to achieve maximum results in the shortest amount of time in order to prepare for a competition. This is something that a lot of trainers like to keep to themselves, but there is information out there. MMA or kickboxing periodization is going to be closest to what you need for karate, so something like the website below can get you started:

http://mmatrainingbible.com/periodization/

[scohen.mma]

Thanks! Specifically, I'd be competing in Kata and Kumite

[Nidan Melbourne]

Preparing for Kata and Kumite are different entities in the way that you prepare for competitions.

There is no 'on' or 'off' season. As there are competitions everywhere going on throughout your state & country, then also international if you travel a lot or compete with your national squad.

For Kumite obviously you have to meet the weight category that you aiming for. This requires a high amount of fitness and strength which you continually have to train to make weight and for your health in general.

What Wastelander said that you should use periodization, but it will be very different between kata and kumite.

- Kumite you will reduce your training load a couple of days prior to competition to recover (and to reduce the risk of injury immediately prior to competing)

- Kata you will continually practice your kata to get timing right and just general exercise will be fine.

[DWx]

Wastelander hit the nail on the head with periodization.

There is no on/off season per se for martial arts but that doesn't mean you can't structure your year. Annual tournaments tend to be held around the same time of year every year. Pick a few that you will wan't to attend next year and create yourself a training programme based on building up to those dates.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Wastelander hit the nail on the head with periodization.

There is no on/off season per se for martial arts but that doesn't mean you can't structure your year. Annual tournaments tend to be held around the same time of year every year. Pick a few that you will wan't to attend next year and create yourself a training programme based on building up to those dates.

I agree with you on that point. Here in Victoria Australia we have 4 major tournaments each year and then there are other minor tournaments you can enter.

I say there are minor ones because they are either run by well known schools or they are ones that aren't karate-specific (National All-Styles).

[sensei8]

Seasons...

Sure, especially for kids.

Summer and sports!!

Some parents don't allow their kids to compete during school; only during the summer. In that, they must earn the right with parents to compete. Have bad school grades...no competitions.

Sports are as seasonal as MA competitions. Their chosen sport will cause MA competitions to take the backseat...each and every year.

With me, baseball, when I was a kid was paramount. Karate took the backseat. Why? It was baseball season and not Karate season.

[scohen.mma]

Thanks a lot everyone! I really appreciate all of your inputs and advice. I'll definitely pick a few tournaments each year and try to use periodical ion for my training. As for the Kata/Kumite, I'll pretty much train for Kumite and use Kata as my warm up and cool down for every workout. I can also set aside time in the dojo or another time of day focus entirely on Kata. Id train in Karate 24/7 if it was humanly possible! Thanks again.