My 7 year old daughter is an orange belt going to her first karate tournament. She is excited and a bit nervous. Any tips on what she should expect, look forward to, or be careful for?
2007-12-16 04:36:13 · 8 answers · asked by tortasinqueso 3 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
For younger students I encourage them to go to one first and watch before they actually compete. They have so many preconceived ideas from movies, television, and cartoons. Secondly I would keep her away from soda and candy the day before and especially the day of until after she competes. The caffeine and sugar in each can really mess with a person's energy level and also might make them irratable and hyper and waste their energy running around playing with the other kids and listless and tired when its time to compete. Thirdly; I always sit younger students down and tell them part of competing is learning how to win as well and learning how to lose. They should go out and try to do their best and if they can do that and learn from their mistakes (if any) then they will be that much better next time and sometimes that is how you get better. At the same time not everyone can win.
Prior to this I encourage parents to bring them in more for class if possible so that they get more floor time and lesson time so that they are better prepared to compete. Along with that I also sit down with them and explain the rules, the various way things are usually run for kata and fighting so that they have a little less anxiety and a better idea of what to expect.
Have her practice her presentation and form for you some and as she gets better play some music or turn up the television. Explain to her that you are trying to teach her to pay attention to what she is doing and not get distracted by outside factors. At the tournament it will be much the same way. Also have her practice throwing some of her techniques for sparring at a bedroom pillow as you move around holding it. This will get her in the habit of moving and throwing techniques at something that is not standing still. Some instructors give their younger students good, quality time and attention, some don't and in so doing do not do anything to prepare them very well. Try to get her to class more, work with her yourself some, and teach her about losing and sportsmanship and even if she does not do well the first time out she will still learn from it and be and do better the next time out.
2007-12-16 07:36:57 · answer #1 · answered by samuraiwarrior_98 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm.. what is she competing in? Kata/Weapons/Sparring?
at my karate & other local schools we compete with we try to make it fun for the kids & no pressure, just let them have a good time & see what its like..
if she's doing a kata there's 3 things we're told to look for:
1. how good are the basics - *strong stance, punches/kicks
2. difficulty of kata in comparision w/ their level- *also obvoiusly how well they know it
3. They're attitude! - *are they confident? loud kyias?
as judges we're told to judge kata in that order ^.. i find that the attitude is usually the tie breaker for me
when judging for sparring:
pretty simple.. who ever strikes in the right spot gets the point.. for 7 year old i'm more than sure this would be no contact so not much to worry aoout yet-
2 major tips that should help to win:
-when not punching, keep hands up to block
-& when she strikes make sure to kyia<(not sure how to spell that.. when they yell & go Aiiiiihhh-yah! =P ) helps the judges to take note that she got the strike.. maybe even when she didn't
as long as shemakes friends, just has fun & doesn't get discouraged by last place or something tournaments are great... i've seen some kids get really worked up about it but they shouldn't cause they're out there doing things most people can't do anyways let alone get judged on it.
i have no idea if this helps or not depending on the karate school but i hope it does. i started karate when i was 7 too, went to my share of tournaments when i was little but didn't really mean anything for me until my black belt competitions. It really helps to get use to it young & get confident
2007-12-16 15:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by Lucy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i have been to a karate tournament. i m a brown belt and i have been to many. wut u should do is focus on wut ur actually there for. dont let anyone tell u u cant. and when u r performing in front of the judges look serious. try not to smile. go ur hardest. and if u dont do very well u shouldnt just stop just get up and try again. (well that means like practice and then try again at another tournament)
2007-12-16 04:41:01 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah<33; 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
she needs to just be confident sound confident believe in herself and its always good to make eye contact with the judges. i had my first tournament wen i was in like 7th grade and was a brown belt i think and i took home a first and third place trophy. GL!!!!
2007-12-16 15:05:37 · answer #4 · answered by jimmy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been to a karate tounament, I went when I was eleven... i felt the same as her I lost, but i had racist judges, it isn't as bad as you think, tell her not to be nervous, be happy.
2007-12-16 04:39:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to be patient and make sure that you listen to all the announcements!
Be sure you have ALL the required safety equipment.
Support the effort and not he outcome!
2007-12-16 06:41:17 · answer #6 · answered by Kevin K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister is in Tae Kwon Do, she advises to not be too predictable in sparring (if she's doing that)... I wish your daughter luck! =)
2007-12-16 04:39:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be carefull with Mr Miogi's child!
2007-12-16 04:39:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋