I am taking self-defense karate right now and have been for about 2 months. I know the moves and usually have them right. My problem is that when the instructors watch me I get nervous and second guess myself.
They tell me I am thinking too much (second guessing) and that I had it right the first time.
Any pointers on to just clear my head, focus on my partner ( and how to ignore people watching us) and stop second guessing myself?
2007-03-28 18:40:25 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
This is normal. you've only been training for 2 months. People who have been training for years still get balled up when testing or being put on the spot because you want to do it perfect. This will not happen. Your technique will be a little different from everyone elses because you are not them. You will eventually be able to do the techniques without second guessing yourself it will only take time and training. Remember though, be confident in what you are doing. There is no better way to learn than if you screw up. Your instructor probably doesn't expect you to get it perfect or near perfect now. When you are the instructor that is when you are expected to get it right the first time.
Performing under pressure is also the name of the game in martial arts. In a self defense situation you will lose some of your motor skills and only be able to perform certain things because you havent trained to do them under pressure. Try putting yourself in the state of mind that you need to perform this perfect every time and when it comes time to perform you already will be able to because you already have.
The saying you perform how you practice is never truer.
2007-03-28 21:19:36 · answer #1 · answered by Reds 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of learning how to experience yourself not being nervous and second guessing yourself in the presence of others is experiencing yourself being nervous and second guessing yourself in the presence of others. Trying to force yourself to relax is just adding another kind of tension. Allowing yourself permission to be tense will actually give you the freedom to relax. Figure out where you are holding tension(probably around the chest and throat) Take a good breath and tense these areas even more and embrace these sensations even more fully. Exhale and while making a sound. Ki-yap yelling is good or simply quietly making an "ahhhhh" sound. Try a few rounds of this and see what happens. I promise it won't hurt you.
2007-03-29 03:20:49 · answer #2 · answered by paganvegan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have been training for 2 months.
would you rather they NOT watch you and not correct you when you are doing something wrong.
sounds like you expect to get it on the first try. Knowing they are watching you at least shows they take an interest in whether or not you are actually learning.
maybe if you think of it not as them "judging you" but that they observe because they are there to teach you then you will not be nervous.
2007-03-29 11:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your there to learn not impress sensei or any one else.just do what sensei teaches you dont worry about making mistakes.the more mistakes you make the better youll be when there corrected.also its not a race.
PS>susan b,can i train with you?your the only ma ive ever heard of that can do anything perfectly. ive been doing it 39 years and i know ppl that have done it for 50 odd years and that still cant perfect it,you must be the best in the world throughout all history?
2007-03-29 04:57:00 · answer #4 · answered by BUSHIDO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its because you are learning from these people and you know that they are better than you right now. i used to pitch for softball and could pitch a perfect game in practice but during the real thing i'd mess up. i got over that by goin home at night and practicing my form in the mirror over and over again. i developed muslce memory. to this day, even tho i havent played in years, i can still throw a perfect strike
2007-03-29 01:48:37 · answer #5 · answered by Susan B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know much about karate, but you should believe what the instructor tells you. Right?
2007-03-29 01:43:52 · answer #6 · answered by Debi in LA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stop guessing the first time, that way their will be no need for a second time...
2007-03-29 01:45:14 · answer #7 · answered by 1badss396 C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give yourself some time. With more experience you will gain more confidence. Don't worry about people watching, they are there to learn as well.
2007-03-29 03:00:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like many things in life, your first thought is correct. Learn to listen to your 'gut'...it's your subconcious letting you know what to do. Practice this in other areas of your life and you will soon see the results in your martial arts as well.
2007-03-29 01:48:19 · answer #9 · answered by 7s 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
time is the cure. time to relax, time to know it as second nature. experience turns second guessing of skill into skill that is second nature.
relax, and learn. everyone feels like that in the beginning.
2007-03-29 03:02:22 · answer #10 · answered by SAINT G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋