Coaches Corner

Besides regular features, we will also address specific questions from athletes regarding various aspects of competition.

We are confident the “Coaches Corner” will become a sought-after source of valuable information!

First Impressions: By Shifu Jose Johnson

Throughout my years of involvement in the competition world, first as a competitor and then later as an official and promoter, one of the things I noticed is that the difference between a gold medal and no medal is often very small. I can remember being at events where the difference between the top 3 places was .03! That means that if you want to maximize your scoring potential, you have to minimize your mistakes - and not just those that may occur during your routine.

Few people stop to think about how their first interaction with the judges in their ring can make a difference, and when you are in a tight competition, every hundredth of a point counts. While competitors technically are not scored on their appearance and manners, these do have a small subconscious effect on the judges’ scoring. For example, two competitors are competing in the same division, doing the same form and executing their form exactly the same. Competitor 1 walks into the ring confidently. His uniform is clean, and he salutes the head judge with a crisp salute. He walks with purpose to his starting spot, stops for a second, and then begins his routine. Competitor 2 is another story. His uniform is a little rumpled and he shuffles into the ring as if he would rather be anywhere else. His salute to the head judge is a little on the wimpy side. He looks unsure where to stand to start, but then finally settles into a spot and starts his routine.

If both forms were executed exactly the same, which one do you think would receive the higher score? 99.9% of the time, it will be the competitor who created the better impression. Why? On a subliminal level, a polished appearance and an air of confidence (NOTE: NOT OVERCONFIDENCE) will make the judges believe you are the better competitor. Keep in mind that up to 2 points are awarded on general impression. Looking the part of a serious competitor will give you a better chance of being scored like one. Do all that you can to make the judges want to watch you and to take you seriously.

Do you have additional questions on this article or other topics? Email your questions to nick.scrima@kungfuchampionship.com and be sure to address the subject icmac news!

Be Prepared:By Shifu Jose Johnson

I think the Boy Scouts were on to something with that statement. When preparing for competition, most athletes will step up their training schedule to get into the best condition possible for their event. Run those forms a few extra times each class. Do some extra stretching. Step up the body conditioning and get a few extra rounds of heavy bag work. Do whatever is necessary to be prepared for the competition. But sometimes we are so focused on the event that we forget to prepare for what goes on outside the ring.

The first thing you should be prepared for is to wait. Even when an event is running smoothly and on time, you will spend more time waiting around than competing. Often it is in an air-conditioned venue. This can wreak havoc on the body. If you warm up before the start of the event, you may be stone cold by the time you are on deck. If you keep warming up, you may start to sap your endurance, especially if you have multiple events in one day. The solution is easy-compression shorts! I have sworn by them since the early days of my competitive career. They help to keep the muscles warm even when you are sitting around and can help prevent a variety of injuries. It also makes it easier to change uniform pants in public.

Food and water are things you need to keep handy. All that waiting can make a martial artist hungry and thirsty. You need to be at your peak when competing. If you are dehydrated or running low on nutrition, your performance will suffer. Take a tip from endurance athletes, and have foods like nuts and granola that will provide a sustained release of sugar in your system. Avoid candy bars and that extra double espresso. These things can give you a nasty crash just before you need to throw down your A-game.

And don’t forget the wushu tape - or athletic tape for you laymen. Tape can save your competition. Ripped crotch in your uniform pants? Tape ‘em! Shoelaces on your Fei Yue’s break? Tape ‘em! Tweak your wrists during your last Sanda match? Tape ‘em! Roommate snore so much that you can’t sleep? Tape ‘em! Well, maybe not, but you get the point.

Do you have additional questions on this article or other topics? Email your questions to nick.scrima@kungfuchampionship.com and be sure to address the subject icmac news!

Some general pointers on Sanda - By Shifu Mike Barry

Many Sanda competitors spend lots of time preparing for a fight but often lack some fundamental information that is crucial in the ring. Following are some points that will help you better prepare for your matches.

1.       Points listed are to give the athletes an idea of the value Judges place on techniques in determining a winner for each round. Red fighter/Blue fighter,

2. Drink plenty of water after weigh-in to protect the brain.

3. Arrive at the ring with all the equipment you are responsible to provide.

4. When called to the ring, do not delay with last minute coaching.

5. You may win by boxing or kicking skills, but Sanda is a spectator sport as well and spectators want to see complete Kung Fu         skills…sweeping and throwing, clever attacks and defense. Good sportsmanship by the athletes and their schools.

6. Win or loose; all athletes must present themselves to a medical person after their fight.

7. Don’t get a Warning over a dumb thing. If you have a question, you may ask the Referee right up until fight time.

Do you have additional questions on this article or other topics? Email your questions to nick.scrima@kungfuchampionship.com and be sure to address the subject icmac news!