| In the build up to your karate black belt test the | | | | perform your least favourite applications. Then in |
| nerves and doubts will start to kick in. People deal | | | | the sparring you would have a tougher time than |
| with these nerves differently, some can cope | | | | otherwise. |
| easy enough while others can become crippled | | | | This scenario may worry you but you have no |
| with fear. This article will provide a solution of how | | | | control over it so there is no point fretting. |
| to limit the impact of the nerves on performance | | | | In contrast there are aspects you can control, |
| on the day. | | | | factors over which you can have a big bearing. |
| There are two main reasons for this fear. Firstly, | | | | The easiest of these to control is fitness. There |
| it is the the sheer importance of the occasion. In | | | | really is no excuse to not prepare correctly in his |
| Karate, and other martial arts for that matter, | | | | regard. Ensure you have time to train, even if it is |
| the black belt grading is like a coming of age. It is | | | | only at home, there is plenty of fitness work you |
| the biggest day in your martial arts career | | | | can do to get yourself ready. |
| everything up to that point has been aimed at | | | | A major part of the test is kata so practise |
| preparing you and getting you through this black | | | | these. You can control this aspect of your training |
| belt grading. | | | | with a bit of planning. You just need some space, |
| In addition to nerves the sheer enormity of what | | | | and if pushed for space you can practise sections |
| needs to be absorbed for the test can be | | | | of a kata in isolation and then put it all back |
| overwhelming. The number of techniques, skills | | | | together again in class. Plenty of practise will |
| and knowledge as well as the sparring, kata and | | | | highlight areas you are unsure of which can be |
| applications the result of years of training have to | | | | addressed in class. |
| be perfected. | | | | You can also practise the movements of the |
| The combination of the occasion and the | | | | applications without a partner and spend time |
| requirements of the test can be daunting. Of | | | | mentally rehearsing them. You can combine these |
| course certain aspects of the test are easier than | | | | practises by imagining your partners movements |
| others and these will vary between people, no-on | | | | as you perform yours. All this will help. |
| will have quite the same concerns. | | | | If you write down weekly goals and record what |
| In order to keep the nerves and doubts from | | | | you actually do as a comparison you will be able |
| harming performance a simple restructuring of | | | | to get through a lot of preparation. This will help |
| what the test involves will help enormously. Split | | | | you do as much as time restraints will allow. You |
| requirements into aspects you can control and | | | | can only do what you can do. If you have done |
| those you cannot. Then exert control on those | | | | so you can go into the test knowing you are as |
| aspects you have the scope to control. | | | | well prepared as you can be. |
| For instance, you may be concerned that in the | | | | If you do begin to worry about something |
| sparring section of the test you are partnered | | | | consider whether you have any control over it, if |
| with someone much more experienced or much | | | | so exercise that control, if not tell yourself it is |
| bigger and stronger than you. Furthermore, being | | | | out of your hands and get on with something you |
| paired with the big fella would make the | | | | do have control over! This attitude will enable you |
| demonstration of kata applications more difficult | | | | to do the best you are capable of at your karate |
| than it could be. Especially if you end up having to | | | | black belt test. |