Training for a major Forms Competitions in the past like the Long Beach Internationals or the European Championships is quite involved process if done correctly.  To win at such a  huge competition is no easy task, especially at the Internationals. Back in the 70-80's Hundreds of Kenpoist gathered in Long Beach each year.  All of them KNOW the forms that you will be doing and have seen the form performed hundreds of times.  The key here is to perform your selected form at  one level above your competition.  Your goal is to catch the eyes of the judges and the competition.  But how does one train to accomplish such a goal? The answer is not an easy one.  There are many ways to train for competition.  There is no CORRECT method.  The answer is what ever works for each individual.  I can only share some of my training techniques that have worked well for me and enabled me to win at these major competitions.

1.  First off choose the Form that you want to perform.  Choose the Form that best displays your abilities as a Martial Artist.  If you have great intensity and power you may want to pick Long 2.  If you move fluent and graceful, perhaps Long 6.  This is the first step.

2. Learn the Form well before you start going full out with it.  Bad habits will be enforced this way.  Start at the beginning and go slowly through each and every move. Do this over and over at least 10 times per day.  You can not do your Form too many times. You must be able to perform it as if it was second nature.

4. Once that you have gone through each technique it is now time to run the entire form with all your attackers LIVE.  Start slowly and only do this Slowly!  Imprint all this into your visualization memory.

6.  With this in mind start your run through from the last sets of the Form to the end of the Form.  Go back and add a set and now do the last two sets through to the end.  Repeat this until you have reached the opening of the Form.  You are moving backwards.  You have now made the end of the Form just as strong as the beginning due to the repetition.  In other words, working  towards more familiar ground as you go on rather than going from the more familiar into the less familiar.  Makes sense doesn't it???

8.  When practicing full out you need to remember that you need to "pump it up" a little. You need to make your movements a bit larger than normal but without distorting the applications of the techniques you are doing. The judges need to see the movements.  Start looking for points of the Form to emphasize.  A stance, a strike or perhaps a certain block.  Choose your Kia's wisely.  It is real annoying to watch a Form with a Kia in every move.

                                Marking- Going through the Form very fast, but with little

                                                intensity.  This will develop you ability to move

                                                faster than you will be able to do the Form at

                                                full level. Do this over as fast as you can with

                                                as complete movement as possible.  Train your

                                                brain to remember the Form fast and furious 

                                  Mental-  Sit in a chair and close your eyes.  Visualize

                                               the Form from start to finish .  If you mess up

                                               start over.  If you brain knows what to do the

                                                body will simply follow.

                           Distracted - At a moderate tempo begin the Form.  Sing a

 

                                          song or recite the Kenpo Creed while doing the

 

                                          Form.  Have a fellow student ask you questions

                                          that require a long answer.  This is difficult.  If

                                          you can do this you definitely will know your

                                          Form well. 

                      Weighted -  Strap 5lbs ankle weights to your wrists and

                                          ankles.  Run the form slow and full movement.

                                          This will BURN, but the results will be awesome. 

                       In Water-   In a pool of water neck deep.  Run you Form full

                                          out as possible.  The water will give you plenty

                                          of resistance.  Ankle weights will help keep you

                                          from floating a lot. 

                        Full out-   Just go for it. Full power, low stances, good

                                         focus.  Do not stop! continue through the Form

                                         but remember your mistakes.  If you do this

                                         correctly you should drop dead with

                                         exhaustion!!

 

Set up a video camera during all  of your training sessions.  You will be amazed at what you will see!  Some good, some bad, but it will help you correct your mistakes.

 ACCUAL ACCOUNTS OF MR. COLLADO'S COMPETITION EXPERIENCE!

 

Story #1

In the 1996 Long Beach Internationals I competed in two Forms divisions.  I won one and took a second place in the other.  I then qualified for the run off to see who will advance to the finals the next evening.  19 divisions champions in the run off and only 8 would advance to the finals.  I drew number 18. Wow!  one of the last ones.  I  patiently and nervously watched the others do their Forms.  Finally  it was my turn.  I performed  Form 6.   I gave it 100% plus effort.  It was all  that I had to give.  At the end of my Form I was exhausted and my legs felt like noodles.  I was very pleased with my efforts.  Everything went smoothly.   After we had all gone they  lined us up.  Seven names were called to advance to the finals.  Mine was not one of  the names called.   I was still in the back line.  The Judges then announced that there had been a 3 way tie for the final spot.  Yes I was one of the three.  I was then asked to go first and was given 2 minutes to prepare.  I was worried. It had been only 5 minutes had passed since I had given it all in the last Form.  I literally had nothing left!  I sat down and focused all my inner energy and concentration upon the task at hand.  I approached the and saluted the judges.  I took a long deep breath.  My mind was focused only on my imaginary opponents and my ability to defend myself.  I don't even remember doing the Form.  I just kept seeing my attackers and taking them out.  I finally got to the end of  Form 6 and closed the Form.  It was met with a thunderous applause from the surrounding spectators and competitors.  I couldn't  even remember how I did I was so exhausted.  I could barley remove myself from the ring. I exited the ring, collapsed and waited for the results.  Minutes later we were asked to  line up again.  I needed assistance to stand back up again.  The Judges announced the results of the tie breaker and YES!  I had won the tie breaker and went on to compete in the Finals.  If I had not have trained so vigorously both physically and mentally I would NOT have made the cut!! ! I am sure of this.   The next evening I went on to win the 1996 International Black Belt Forms Grand Championship! 

You MUST be in top physical and mental condition to win and to perform well.   You  will never know when you will be called upon to perform  again.  When doing Forms correctly there is only one way. LWAYS TRAIN TO PERFORM TWO  SEPARATE FORMS NOT  JUST ONE!

100%

The day of the competition is different for everyone.  Some prefer and like to get nervous, others avoid a lot of contact with their competitors.  Some will prance around psyching out the competition.  What ever works is what you need to do!

Be respectful to the panel of judges.  Your outcome is in their hands.  Do not show them any disrespect what so ever.  This could cause you a victory.  Sometimes politics will interfere with the scoring.  This is and always will be a possibility.  If there is a judge that you know will be unfair to you, remember one thing.  He/She has only one score.  It will probably be the lowest score, but they always throw out the high and the low score and average out the remainder.  Do not let this psych you out.  Perform to and for the judges that you don't know.  Impress them and their high scores will pay off!!!!!

The " BLANK OUT" Nightmare

Almost every competitor's primary fear is to "blank out" while performing their kata.  It has happened to the best of them all.  No one really knows why this happens.  It tends to do a lot with your levels of nervousness, of perhaps your concentration levels.  In any case it can prove deadly to any performance.  It usually happens during warm-up, of just before you perform.  The panic levels soar and the fear that you have forgotten your Form sets in.  The worst thing you can do at this point is  to panic and worry.  If this happens, stop the Form , take a deep breath and relax a second.  Then begin again from the beginning of the Form. There is a 99% chance that the missing moves will "re appear".  It is kind of like re-booting your computer.  All the files go back to where they belong.  If you stop try to fix the problem it will only get worse.  All you need  is a little re - assurance that you remember what it is that you are doing and all will be OK.

If this DOES happen during the actual Performance, well lets say it is not a good thing.  However DO NOT just leave or walk away.  Stop and ask the Judges permission to begin again.  You will automatically get a low score of 7.0 .  Relax and do your best.  Chances are all will be OK. Your chances of a First Place finish are gone , but you may still  have a chance to place.  This also shows good character , good composure , good sportsmanship and a sense of control of your abilities.  Judges like to see this.

 

 

I am always available for Seminars, Classes and Private Instruction on Kenpo Forms. Tell your Instructors to look into me doing a session in your school!

I will also "CRITIQUE"  a video of your form.

 Either sent me a file or send me a link on "You Tube"

For a $45.00 fee I will write a complete "critique"  of your form, Give detailed suggestions on how to correct, perform and win with your form. I will give you a "Judges" perspective on what to fix and will give you training tips to make your form world class!

collado.collado@gmail.com

 E-mail for Information