Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
It's easy for me to sit here and tell you to be more relaxed and not so tense while free style sparring with a seasoned or a not so seasoned kumite partner.
What isn't so easy, is to take my own advice and actually make this principle of tensing and relaxing a part of my basics and the focus of my Kata...
In fact, properly done Kata utilizes these and other very important principles.
There are postures where for a split second, you should turn your body into a stone statue (during blocks and strikes) and times during the transitions between postures, that you should be as relaxed and flowing as a meandering river.
I can tell you from my own experience how a tensed body and tensed muscles, restricts not only your speed and power, but one's ability to move properly...
...although I think that's apparent to most martial artists.
So basically, the answer to the tightening of the mind and body problem, is through the application of mind and body relaxation...
...the mind in particular...
...as one quick thought can transform your body into a young bending willow branch or a hard stationary tree trunk.
The answer to this problem of resistance as opposed to relaxation can be resolved through Kata with the correct application of strong hard techniques and smooth flowing transitions between techniques...
...so practice your Kata diligently and focus on the points where your body is either tensed or relaxed.
Then when Kumite rolls around, you can practice the little points you picked up during your basics and Kata training and apply them to sparring.
Of course in Kumite were not only faced with one opponent but two...
...the other one being ourselves...
...the one that allows fear to creep into our minds, which in turn tenses all of our muscles and movements...
...more on over coming fear later...
RJF
