Question 010: Competition preparation

 

However, not all is lost! Your body may start to decline, but your wisdom and experience increases. Instead of relying upon your body to win, start using your brain; fight smoother and more effectively. Learn to read your opponent’s minute movements and, instead of reacting to an attack, learn to anticipate the attack and act before it occurs.

As you get older, you will not act or react as quickly as in the past. Your kicks get blocked and you are just a tad too slow with your blocks. You block, but you still get scored upon. If find you are slower than your opponent, become a counter fighter. The instant you detect an attack, counterattack with a flurry. You may get hit, but you were going to get hit anyway. The opponent’s single attack may score a point, but your multiple attacks will score more points. Every time an opponent attacks, make her pay a price.

Don’t’ try to fight fire with fire. Fight fire with water. You can’t fight a younger opponent the way they fight you, you have to make them fight your fight. By anticipating their attacks, you make them think you are reading their minds. This will slow their actions and reactions by the split second that you have lost due to age, and it may help even the playing field.

As you get older, you have to warm and stretch your muscles before a fight, and you must keep them warm and stretched. Don’t stand around waiting for your match. Get warm and keep moving and stretching up until the moment you enter the ring. If you win, keep moving and stretching until the next match. If you cool down between matches, you will not only tighten up, but it will take longer to get back up to speed, which may be too late.