The person on your right.

[GJEC]

(I may have posted this before or on K4L. Mods: Please delete if it's already here)

In karate traditionally we line up in rows in grade order, so here's an idea for those that want to improve but have no wish to enter a tournament.

Beat the person on your right.

That's it. Dead simple. If you're a blue belt standing next to a yellow, try to move better than them. That might mean faster, stronger or smoother depending on the drill but always try to be moving better. It may take a while, but persevere. Your instructor(s) will notice and in your promotion test - as long as you know your stuff - you will be the blue trying for yellow that already moves better than the yellow trying for green.

You get the idea. Don't just drift along hoping it will improve on it's own. Be mindful and be competitive.

Some scoff at this, talking about 'karate is a personal journey' and 'it doesn't matter if you are better than others'. It does if you have any thoughts of being effective. Being sharper than an opponent/assailant might make all the difference.

As a 15 year old white belt I started training in a established club with many good brown belts, yet I got my black belt first. I'm not superman but I harnessed my competitive streak and concentrated every session as described above. It's a system that works.

Gary

[meguro]

Anyone who doesn't appreciate competition, wouldn't know the right answer if it hit him in the face. :-D

[MMX]

Interesting Gary.

I had that mindset when I came to Enshin. I always wanted to move better,stronger than the guys ahead of me. I studied them and emulated them. Practiced at home. I also jumped a few green and brown belts on my way to Shodan. They stood there while I kept moving forward.

[GJEC]

There are far too many youngsters who turn up and expect to be improved (nearly used the word groomed until I remembered it has sinister connotations these days) by the coach with minimum effort.

That's not the instructors job. A student has to push, copy and get into shape, then the instructor puts an edge on it.

Gary

[GJEC]

It's interesting that of the feedback I've had on this topic everyone thinks I mean 'train harder' than the man on your right. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Working at 100% all the time leads to breakdown and loss of form. Injuries become chronic and for older ones inflamation and damage is caused that might spoil old age.

I recommend people train and spar at 80%. Stop before you injure or exhaust yourself. Be smooth. Sometimes relaxing a bit lets things flow and you will be faster and smoother than the man on your right who is struggling and getting tense trying to keep in front.

We simply cannot drive ourselves into the ground night after night without paying the price.

So relax and make things smooth. In sparring stay focussed yet avoid tension. Your body will thank you yet you will be - effortlessly - fighting well.

Gary