Nerves

[Sharla]

I find if I just remember to have fun it calms me down. I try not to think of it as a big deal - just like sparring but a bit harder.

For me being short sighted helps because i can't see the spectators so I wouldn't think about people watching or judging and seriously have fun.

In general they say that those who are process focussed rather than result focussed tend to do better in sport. I wouldn't worry about whether you win or loose. In reality it's all about the experience so either way you do actually win.

[jellybean1986]

yeah thats true, i studied sport psychology and it said there were two types of people - people who have a 'need to achieve' and people who had a 'fear of failire' the latter usually did worse so that must be like the same kinna thing. Yes i think i need to focus more on having fun. But as soon as i see who it is im fighting im nearly sick. I just always assume they will be better than me and then they usually are coz i freak out lol. Guess its kinna a self fufilling prophecy. I tried the visualisation thing but it makes me focus so much on wionning that wen the fight starts and it doesnt go my way i kinna lose it coz its not what i visualised lol!

[sourpuss]

I try focusing on my goals rather than my opponent or winning.

Pick two things you'd like to achieve in your next bout. Consider doing those two things winning/success. For example, if you are normally flat footed, try moving more as a goal or pick a combination that you have trouble with and execute it a few times during the bout.

Don't worry about your opponent. If anything, try to get excited about go against someone better and more experienced than you. You'll progress much faster than taking easy wins. Fighting people who are better forces you you come up to their level much faster. It's a good thing. And if you win, it's all that much better, and if you lose...well, they are really good and as long as you were competitive- that's good.

[Chris Nagel]

I remember watching a Sam Soloman interview and he had the same problem when he was getting into pro boxing. He could go 15 rounds in sparring, but he'd get tense when he got into the ring. Anyways he started to go out there and enjoy himself, he'd even smile and with that working for him he could relax. Try to smile, draw upon your good experiences in training maybe the funny moments. The neat thing about a genuine smile is that it changes your brainwaves, i.e. it causes your mind to relax.

[Trainer Monkey]

There's a form of meditation called centering they teach in many martial arts,Ive been able to wail most of my boxers right in the gut hard enough to lift them when they get it right

[Sharla]

one other thing i forgot which works for me is to have some familiar things on hand.

For me it was the skipping part of my warm up. I was really able to relax while skipping, breathe and close my eyes and just think about what i had to do. I'd think about a couple of things because if it got too complex it wouldn't stick but a couple of key things would.

I also had an attachment to my mouthguard. We've been together many years and when I put it in it was like a baby with a pacifier. I just associated some kind of safety and comfort with it.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

From reading this it seems to be - find what works for you.

It's a fight, it's a sport, it's also a performance.

Some people go through a routine, some people get chatty, some people want to be left alone (me). If I can't get away from folks I pop my headphones on & walk about to get rid of nervous energy and if I can close my eyes, take some deep breaths, blot people out. Then showtime

Do you get tense during the ring walk but loosen up in the ring?
You could practice your ring walk, climbing through the ropes and having a little shadow box. However you want to do it. Have everyone in the club line the route and have them yell and boo at you, alternately have them cheer. Or just do it when no one is about Whatever you try do it with your fighthead on. Visulise the scene. It may sound poncy but I've used it in performance skills workshops and it does work.