Too stiff OR How can I relax?

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 9:57pm

I have been asked by my Judo club if I would like to compete, to which I responded with a yes, but I told them I didn't feel ready. Our most competitive student did some assessment of my skills today and told me that I was very stiff/rigid and would get clobbered if I entered a competition in this state. He's probably right; I'm terrible at getting kouzushi (breaking my opponent's balance for a throw).

He said it may be the fault of my Karate training, but I've always been very tense when doing any kind of athletic activity. The problem is that I can't really think about relaxing, since that just makes it worse.

Is there any kind of exercise or drill that I can do to loosen up so I can start kicking ass?

**KageReaper** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 10:05pm

Watch cowboy bebop..mimic spike..rinse repeat lol

Nope, I can't think about relaxing either, because you're not relaxing. Strechout, breathe, and try not to think about much at all. Where's the yoga and tai chi ppl when you need them..****, I need help sometimes too lol.

**Deadpan Scientist** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 10:06pm

stop taking so much viagra.

**Punisher** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 10:27pm

I don't think it is necessarily a result of your karate training. It is a natural reaction to tense up and try to resist when force is applied against you or when you are trying to apply force.

I don't know if there is anything you specifically can do except practice more with the intention of not actively resisting and going with the flow. You're right, actively "trying" to relax with make things worse, but you can work in little things especially in practice. Try to be more focused on what you are doing, and less worried about what you "should" do.

If someone grabs your arm and pulls it, let them, even if it puts you in a strategic disadvantage. Even if you "try" this, you'll likely tense up for a spilt second then relax. Try to overcome this. Once you can let someone grab your arm without that initial reistance on your part, you can then work on modifying your "compliance" into a reversal or counter that gives you an advantage.

**Jenfucius** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 10:29pm

lose your virginity. what the hell are you saving it for anyhow?

**JohnnyS** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 10:47pm

The popular method in BJJ is to just keep wrestling until you're too tired to be stiff. You also probably need to care less about being thrown. People who are too worried about losing never progress too far. Just realize it's okay to lose in training and you should be a bit more relaxed.

**FingerorMoon?** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 11:11pm

Be
like
the
jelly

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 11:13pm

Originally posted by Jenfucius
lose your virginity. what the hell are you saving it for anyhow?

ur mom lol

Originally posted by JohnnyS
The popular method in BJJ is to just keep wrestling until you're too tired to be stiff. You also probably need to care less about being thrown. People who are too worried about losing never progress too far. Just realize it's okay to lose in training and you should be a bit more relaxed.

Thanks, I'll take that into consideration. I actually do pretty well when rolling with BBs because I really don't expect to last very long, much less win.

**Ka-Bar** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 11:15pm

Do push hands. The only thing I've ever liked about Tai Chi.

**mikus** · Posted On: 3/02/2004 11:38pm

Yes, accept getting thrown. The more you accept it the better it will be for both you and your training partners. There's not really much you can do besides DO it (and Johnny's advice about getting tired is good, as well).