Question 122: Mental aspects

Counter Reply

Thanks for the tips on concentrating on the goal, but I think I am taking your advice too literally as I can get the ball to go where I want it too every time, that's not the problem, for example if two very good Taekwondo warriors were fighting, one was dominating completely but then would just slack off due to concentrating less and lose the fight due to this lack of concentration, which is pretty much what you described in your physical vs. mental aspects or have I completely got the wrong end of the stick?

For example from my past, I will be 2-0 up and winning easily and all of a sudden, I feel I am not doing anything differently I will loose 3-2. or the other day I was 12-2 down (its up to 15) got back to 13-12 but then still lost even though I should of easily beaten the guy.I think what I am asking is how do I train to keep my focus/ intense concentration or keep concentrating on the goal because I don't feel I am doing anything different but obviously I am.

Reply

While stationed in Iceland, I was at the gym and a friend pointed out the guy who was the base racquetball champion. He was old, obese, slow, and waddled like a duck when he walked. I found it difficult to believe he could even play. Then one day I saw him playing. While his opponent ran all over the court, he pretty much just stood in one spot. He would hit the ball, waddle over to a new spot, and, if the opponent was able to return the ball, it miraculously came to spot he was standing. He had such knowledge of rebound angles, the possible return options available to the opponent, the skill level of his opponent, etc. that he could instantly compute the odds of where the ball would be at any time, and then go to that spot. He beat youth and physical skill using wisdom.