Tips on not getting nervous during a kickboxing tournament

Question

I have an upcoming kickboxing point tournament and ive never done such a thing before and i would like some tips on not getting nervous because i am good at it but im afraid that if i get nervous it can mess up my technique

Answer 1

some of the biggest mistakes i have seen have been inexperienced fighters changing their fight style to math their opponents.  Try as hard as you can to all but ignore your opponents method.  Look at them as just another training partner to work on your skills with but hit harder.  Do what you know how to do.  They may be just as nervous as you.  Get your first hit in as quickly as possible...this helps too.  It brings them down to size mentally for you.  Before the match just get so pumped about YOUR ability.  This would not be the time to be nice and impressed by your opponent.  At this point...you are the better fighter, you already won.  Just keep yourself in this frame of mind.

Answer 2

It WILL mess up your technique - if you let the nerves take over.  Experience is the only thing to get past it.  It's an unknown event, and you should be excited and nervous.

But if you are prepared, you will be fine.  Have someone you trust work the ring for you - they should help you remember to keep hands up, use your speed, whatever - practice listening to their voice before the fight. I drill with them calling combos, kicks, etc. and throw what they say the moment they say it.   A good corner-coach will help you stay focused when you spar the first time, and every time you fight.  Also, ginger will help regulate stomach contractions - those butterflys.  Have some ginger tea or ginger candy before the match - won't make everything go away, but should take the edge off without messing up your mind.

Even professional fighters get nervous, so you are not alone.  There is a UFC guy named Paul Buentello who throws up before every fight.  Last month he was throwing up between rounds!  It's just nervous energy.  You'll be just fine.

Answer 3

Drink caffiene

Answer 4

sing. i know it sounds like a pussyfuckingexercise, but it takes your mind of it. lol be easy, play pokemon.

note that i'm not any old yahoo-answerer i am a muay thai boxer, that stuff usually works for calming the beast, so i'm not making shitup :).  

Answer 5

relax  and  do  lots  of  breathing  exercises  and  you  should  know  that  concentration  is  the  key.

Answer 6

Just relax and do not think of the out come but be carm and be like water :)

Answer 7

Everyone is different when it comes down to the best way for them to be at their best and to perform at their best. It really all comes down to you and what your mentality is going in.

Personally I agree with most everybody else on here that you should try to relax and do some deep breathing exercises to help keep you calm and on an even keel. At the same time though I have to say honestly that I have known several really good fighter that were just the opposite, they needed to get pumped up and crazy to go out and perform. I kickboxed with a really good friend for a few years and we couldn't corner each other because our style of prefight prep was so completely different. When I was getting ready beck in the locker room getting my hands wrapped and what not I wanted evrybody cool and laid back, no being loud and no big build up. Gary was the complete opposite, he'd be in the locker room screaming and cussing and it worked for him. He almost used his screaming and carrying on like warm ups, he would pace and shadow box around just yelling and getting fired up. On his way to the ring he was the same way, if someone in the audience stuck their hand out in front of him he would hit it and I mean really hit it. By the time he got to the ring he was focused and in control and ready to go, but he would still be yelling and cussing. It was just in his nature to be that way and to only really respond when his corner men would yell at him or slap him or some such. That never would have worked for me, but it did for him.

The point is we are all individuals and we all react to diferent situations in our own way. My way may not be best for you and neither may Gary's, but you know you and your trainers/ cornerman they should know you. Let their experience carry you through, if they think you need to get a little bit fired up chances are they know you well enough to be correct. If you need to come down a bit then they will help you to calm down, by what ever means fit the situation. Deep breathing exercises and the like.

Do your best to relax and trust in your training and your trainers. Try to empty your mind of worries and concerns and let your technique just flow through you.

Best of luck!!!

Answer 8

Nothing you can do about the nervousness, but once the adrenaline kicks in after the first contact, you'll feel as though you were born for this....unless, of course, you get the snot beat out of you.

Everyone gets butterflies before a competition.