Hawk - question on Kimura and heart

[Scott Harper]

I found this article and I was wondering if you thought his comment here is a contributing attribute to succeeding in fights. It's from http://judoinfo.com/kimura2.htm


"It was my first Vale Tudo experience. That night, my face was badly swollen. I had a number of cuts on my face. Every time I breathed, an excruciating pain ran through my belly, and I could not sleep. I received an injection from a doctor, and cooled my belly with a cold towel all night. However, I learned a very important lesson in this fight. That is, one must never fear death. If I had not had the iron will to fight despite the possibility of getting killed, his head butts would have torn my intestine into pieces."

I was wondering because of your background in the Marine Corps and full-contact matches. Is it the fear of death of injury that could cause more injury or holds people back from realizing more?

[Hawk]

Scott,
Im my experience I have found that two things hold back or
affect a person's performance in competition or life. One is fear of injury and the other is fear of looking bad and being embarrassed. Myself personally, I never was worried about getting hurt, however I was always very nervous about looking bad. IMO the best way to combat these fears is to get your self in good condition and be ready before a contest. If the negative thoughts start coming you can combat them by saying, "Hey, I'm ready." Its worked for me.
Hawk

[dan downard]

Hawk,I have no fear of getting hurt.But I still dont perform correctly under pressure.I do well in training and then actually seem to forget what I am supposed to be doing when applying at 100%.I get position and concentrate so much on holding it that I pass subs that I maybe should have taken.Others see openings for me that I miss.Am I trying so hard to win that I dont take risks?
Obviously, I want to win.Could I be the guy who doesnt take risks for fear of embarrasment?That I would hold position and sit there out of fear?I am really questioning myself.But,if you have some suggestions that would help.I am ready to listen.

[Hawk]

Dan,
I was exactly the same way at one time, and Yes, from what you say, you're afraid of losing and getting embarrassed.
There are a number of excellent visualization tapes out there. My favorite that is short is Mind Gains by Health For Life. The best over a period of time is from Stadion.com. These tapes were advertised in Black Belt at one time and it was used by two judoka to win olympic medals. My favorite, and what has helped me most, are the books of James Loehr. Toughness Training in Sports is my favorite, but he has a number of others that are excellent.
Dan, another thing you might look at, since although you aren't quite as old as me you're I think mid-40s? Anyways, young guys that you were better then will catch up & pass you, no matter how good of shape you are for your age. That's just the way it is. This also causes freezing up and not doing anything when you get on top and just letting the time run out with you on top. My advice on that is compete
against yourself, not some 20 year old. Try new things and if you get tapped, so what. If you're not getting tapped, you're not making mistakes, if you're not making mistakes you're not learning. I hope this helps because I had fight through this forest on my own and I'm still trying to get through it.
Hawk

[hounddog]

Great post, Hawk.

[fascistfury]

you were given fear for a reason. if you don't have fear, then you have serious problems and should seek therapy! IMO you should not strive to overcome fear...fear protects you. you should strive to become comfortable with the feeling of fear and become comfortable with the effects that it has on the body. when you know exactly what effects fear will have on you, and you have become comfortable with these feelings, then you will succeed in managing fear, which is more sensible than overcoming fear. although overcoming fear may be useful in a tourney, managing your fear will be more helpful if you ever have to fight for your life, and is the more versatile tool, i think. later!

[Hawk]

Thanks Hounddog,
Hawk

[dan downard]

Thanks Hawk,I am stepping back and taking a serious look at myself.Every bit of input helps.Dan

[Ryu (non-working password]

Hawk,
Thanks from me also. I have been bumped up in rank in judo, and am trying not to let my fear of looking bad mess me up. I've had that fear for a while...and not just in martial arts.

Take care,
Ryu

[dan downard]

Mr .Fury's post is something to think about also.Makes good sence too.

[fascistfury]

dan - thanx! finally...recognition, at last! hehe!

[dan downard]

LOL

[hounddog]

yes, fascistfury's post was good as well. Both shared a common thread - looking inward.
-hounddog