Page 20 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 65

20 April 2018 Issue #65 www.sportsenergynews.com

Focus

By Jim Riddell,
Seaway Karate Club

n the previous five Karate Komments columns we have been discussing
Ithe physical attributes or components that must be developed for one to
become proficient in the art. The sixth and final attribute, focus, may not
be physical, but without it a student will never achieve his or her potential.
Working on those five physical components, speed, power, timing, balance,
and co-ordination will over time help the student to develop mental fortitude
and focus.

Karate is an individual sport where staying focused for long periods is
important as students are participating 100% of their class time. It is also a
sport that provides a good mix of anaerobic and aerobic activity that will help Great work and congratulations on behalf of the SCFSC, in your
to relieve any stressors or irritations that may have built up during the day. competing and representation of our Club! Kudos on all of your
It is important that instructors recognize when a student loses focus and to hard work and dedication to your sport, skaters!
implement a plan to get them quickly back into the groove. Left to right Alexa Ravary ~ Gold ~ Star1 Singles Free Skate;
Bronze ~ Interpretive Star3 Elements
Our instructor team at Seaway Karate follows the four P’s. 1) Focus on the
Sarah Marleau ~ Gold ~ Star1 Free Skate; Bronze ~ Interpretive
Positive; - any mistakes should be viewed not as a negative, but an opportunity Star3 Elements
to improve. 2) Focus on the Present - put emphasis on the material that needs Anthony Macdonald ~ Gold ~ Star2 Singles Free Skate; Silver ~
to be worked on at that particular class. 3) Focus on the Process – keeping Star2 Individual Elements
both individuals and the class on track 4) Focus on Progress - The progressive Audrey-Anne Poitras ~ Silver ~ Star1 Single Free Skate
belt system is a great means of developing focus as it is a series of small goals Alessia Macdonald ~ Silver ~ Star1 Single Free Skate
Photo Submitted
(coloured belts), leading to a larger goal of eventually earning a black belt.
With each belt earned, there will also be an improvement in the attributes, Brought to you by Sports Energy News
both the physical and mental.

In the previous columns we looked at specific karate drills used to target ASK THE COACH
each of the physical attributes, here is a way to help improve mental focus.
Visualization or mental imagery has been used by athletes from various
sports as a means of enhancing performance for several decades. Two Olivia Kennedy
prime examples of elite athletes who also used this technique were golfer
Grade: 10
Jack Nicklaus and boxer Muhammad Ali. Nicklaus, before each shot would
School: St Joe’s
envision his swing, the flight of the ball, and the ball landing exactly where
Sport: Volleyball
he wanted it to. Ali, while during his early morning roadwork would envision
Question: to St Joe’s volleyball
his opponent running past him. He would use that as a motivational tool to
and assistant badminton coach
train harder, ensuring that he had the conditioning required to get him through
Don Mitchell
the late rounds of a championship fight. Martial artists Bruce Lee and Chuck
Norris both had success using visualization techniques, with Norris using Why do you coach volleyball
them for both fighting and kata. and how did you get started?
So how does this work? Using at least three of your senses (more if possible)
and kata as an example - have a seat, close your eyes and do a kata in your Answer:
I’m not sure how I initially became interested in volleyball. It
mind. 1) Visualize that perfectly executed kick. 2) Feel your feet slide over
was way back in grade 10 at CCVS when I decided to try out
the floor into the next stance. 3) Hear the snap of your sleeve as you fire out
for the junior team. I was hooked – I played all the way through
that reverse punch. As you are sitting relaxed in that chair, you will get a
high school. I refereed through high school and university, and
slight neuron response in your muscles as you execute those punches, kicks,
started coaching in grade 13. Since then, I have been teaching,
and stances. This practice will be beneficial in helping you to reproduce them
coaching, and playing for 32 years.
later with improved form. A few years ago one of our club members had
My biggest playing thrill was beating La Citadelle in a very hard-
to write a university exam the day before she was to compete in the kata
fought battle at the SD&G final in 78-79. I’ve always stayed a

division of a tournament. With no time for karate class or even home practise
player, playing in men’s and mixed competitive and recreational
in the two weeks leading up to her exam, she managed to find the time to
leagues while living in Grande Prairie.
visualize herself performing the kata at the tournament. Not only did she ace
I coach because it’s one of the best ways to encourage students
the exam, she also took first place in the tournament. Targeting the attributes
outside of the class room, and it’s a way for me to say thank
– speed, power, timing, balance, co-ordination, and focus is one of the keys to
you, and to give back to all those teachers who gave their time
becoming a successful martial artist
to coach me.