Competition and Choking Under Pressure

 I was reminded by my TKD master of the pressure of competition, and that as you compete more and more you are able to deal better with the pressure.   While this is true, there are hacks that may help you from choking under pressure.   Don't just practice under optimal environments.   Practice, under pressure, and various pressures before competition. 

1.     Why wait - if you can create a pressured situation in which is expose yourself to stress before the competition, then do it.   This may include - asking for your teachers or students to review your form and asking for criticisms.   You may want to do a form next to someone else that is doing a different form.  Don't limit your audience, practice your form in public before friends, family, or even strangers.   Asking someone to blow an Air Horn while you are doing the form.    

2.  Practice the forum with closed eyes (utilizing all safe precautions - don't walk off a cliff).   Basically know your form so you can do it from any location, or any direction.   There is an old saying that you say that you know something you could do it with your eyes closed.   

3. Close your eyes, and visualize the tournament, judges, and crowd in your mind.   See yourself as calm and in control yourself.  See yourself winning and getting a medal.   

4.  Review the smallness of the tournament.  It doesn't change your life, but merely gives an emotional lift or decrease for 1 day.   It does not define you and simply is a step to self-improvement. 

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