Nerves

[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.