Competitors Mentality
May 31st, 2004
Matt Stuckenberg
|
Well-practiced and well-traveled competitors know that your mindset is key before any
competition. What you are thinking about, how much sleep you had, stressful things in
life, these all have an effect on the way you will perform. In this paper, I will
explain how I prepare myself mentally for a competition. I hope that you enjoy reading.
The nerves of competition usually start about one month before the competition date.
Hopefully, you have already taken the necessary steps to condition and prepare your self
for you level of competition, whether that is recreational, or more advanced. For the
three weeks before the actual week of the tournament, I usually just try to keep healthy
and eat properly. I also try to keep my body bruise free and take extra care not to do
anything overly stupid to cause a serious injury.
The week of the tournament, try to keep my mind off of the tournament as much as possible
during the day. I try to keep my life as normal as possible. At night, before sleeping, I
usually read a book. Also, I go over in my head a few opening combinations for my first
round. I find that it is very important not to look past the first round. Any good fighter
knows that there is always a better fighter, and you could lose at any round to any person.
The two to three days before the tournament are really stressful. It seems, at least to me,
the only thing I can think about is the tournament. By this time, the butterflies are in
full bloom in the stomach. It is really good, if at all possible, to get into the town that
the tournament is being held a day in advance. That way, the day before the tournament will
be filled with new sights and sounds. Going shopping or going to see a movie or three can do
wonders in keeping your mind off of the competition.
Okay, now it is the day of your tournament. Boy oh boy, this day is crazy for butterflies.
Depending on when you division is depends on how to spend the day. My way of dealing with
this day, and I will share it with you gladly, works for me. I have practiced everything
that I have written. In the morning, eat a good breakfast. Don’t think about the tournament,
think about breakfast. Talk to people about how you’re doing at school/work. Go up to your
hotel room, and have a half an hour-long shower. Don’t shave for a few days before the
tournament. I find that I feel really refreshed after a shave, shower, and food. It is
relaxing, and I designed it to help myself feel the best as I can for the whole day. Keep
the morning as positive as possible.
Upon arriving at the tournament, make your self keep busy. Volunteer, the people who are
running the tournament will appreciate the help. Help the younger (or older) fighters warm
up. Talk to them, because chances are they are feeling along the same lines that you are.
Talk to your opponents and friends; get to know the people that are there. It feels really
good to talk to people you have met and competed with/against in the past. Talk to old
friends and make new ones.
Your mentality effects the way you fight. If you don’t feel 100% when you step in the ring,
if you think “Oh my god, this guy is going to beat me into the ground,” you will lose. I
almost guarantee it. Go in, and do your best. Just before you step into the ring is not the
time to think, “I should have spent more time working up to this.” It is too late. When you
step into the ring, your mind set is I am going to win this, I am going to fight my best,
and put out the best effort I can muster as I am now.
Remember that you can always get better, always. Losing is not important, it never is.
Medals are nothing. Award certificates are just pieces of paper. What really matters is
the experience. Our organization here in Canada does not revolve around how good of a
fighter you are. We support our opponents and cheer every one on to greater heights of
skill and determination. But when the gloves come off, we are a family; and no one holds
a loss against you, ever.
The last piece of all for this paper is the bench. I hate the bench. Once I am on the bench,
I can no longer keep my mind on anything except my nerves and keeping a hold on my breakfast
and lunch. On a side note, go to the bathroom just before your division, it’ll help, I
promise, and it’ll be one less thing to worry about.
Every one on that bench is subject to the same nerves that you are. Just keep in mind that
you are there to do the best you can, so do the best you can. Winning and losing means
nothing. It doesn’t matter. You have already won respect and admiration from others because
of the fact that you are willingly placing yourself in this situation. It takes a lot to
step into the ring. You have already won, in my opinion.
So, to end this report, I just want to say that for every one who has ever stepped into
the ring, you have my respect, and my admiration. I know, and so does any other fighter,
how hard it is to do so. Osu, and keep competing, regardless of the podium.
Matt Stuckenberg
3rd Kyu
Rocky Mountain Dojo
|
|
|
|
|
|
