[caption id="attachment_7175" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A new student knows nothing about the culture, their first class they don't even have a uniform yet.[/caption] Has your kid ever felt nervous in a martial arts school in Las Vegas? Or have they ever felt nervous before the grading takes place during their karate training? If yes, you must understand that almost everyone, if not all, vastly experience the additional training sessions, sleepless nights, and even negative self-talk. Do not be worried about your kid, as the anxiety and stress hormones are common. Nevertheless, the issue is not that they are nervous as they already know why they are being graded. The issue lies in your approach to the upcoming event. This article will outline how your kid can overcome nerves when they experience it in class. Understand that anxiety is quite common for everyone that will be grading to their next rank. It has been said that it is similar to being afraid of public speaking, which is a fear that some people have. Asides from this inherent fear of failure, there is also the fear of disappointing the sensei and getting viewed negatively by the people watching. Every parent should note that anxiety has been revealed to hurt both the attention span and functional memory. This means that every misplaced feeling will undermine the kid's performance. Well, there is nothing to worry about as we will be providing you with some solutions. Nervousness occurs for lots of reasons. When a kid has a competition or belt grading coming up, he or she may experience nerves. While these anxious feelings are typical, you may be wondering what you will have to do when it becomes too much. Simply sit back, relax and read on. Steps To Overcoming Nerves In Karate [caption id="attachment_7176" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sometimes having friends in the same class helps with being nervous. We always encourage that you bring a friend to class.[/caption] While the nervous feeling can be expected, it happens in some specific circumstances or events. It may happen when your kid wants to take a fight in a tournament or a belt test. The reason why they may have nerves is due to the fear of failure. Also, they may have worries about people watching them or even judging them. While everyone has some anxiety levels before bug events, you will need practical steps to overcome nerves during training. Some ways to overcome nerves include:    

1. Switch up on the negative self-talk

Most times, the nerves arise from the negative things we tell ourselves. When you listen to your inner conversations, it will assist you in identifying and changing the narrative. If you say things like you are going to fail, you will need to switch up and change that conversation. The fact is that if you let yourself listen to such negativity all the time, you will begin to believe that it is the absolute truth. Before your kid starts the karate training, let them know that they have the power to transform their thinking.

2. The power of positive reinforcement

Kids taking training in any of the martial arts schools in Las Vegas must be told that their practice and training are what will get them ready for these events. While the instructor will only put them through a belt grading, they should understand that the instructor will only do this when they are prepared. Their training will be watched in class, and they will need to pass through a belt test. Encourage your kid to know that he or she is ready. If they are heading into a competition, they must understand that it is because they truly deserve to be heading that way. Repeat all of these to your kid, letting him or her know that they are ready.

3. Mindfulness

Kids in any martial arts school in Las Vegas must understand that if they let their minds run away, it will never be helpful. Their attention should be brought to and focused on the present moment. Before the event begins, they can close their eyes and practice their moves. They should be told to imagine themselves going through all the techniques and only think about the steps. In some of these martial arts schools, the kids are taught different techniques on how to deal with nerves, boost their focus and even attain goals. All of these are parts of their training.

4. Utilize the inoculation theory

• This theory functions in three known steps, they are:
• Warn your kids that they will feel a specific way in some particular circumstances
• Tell them to highlight the concerns they may have, and finally;

Give them information to cope with these concerns positively If your kid has pre-grading nerves, you can tell them to say some things in line with the inoculation theory. These things can be:

• I am going to feel anxious so much on the day of the grading. Note that this is a forewarning
• I will be worried about losing my balance or even galling while trying to kick my opponent. This is a specific concern. And;
• Since I have not had an issue of losing my balance while training in the last months, it will indeed not happen. This is coping information.

When kids forward themselves, it allows their brains to feel ready to deal with nerves. Also, with specific solutions, their psychological stress and uncertainties will decrease. However, the inoculation theory has shown to work better than just letting your kids tell themselves not to be anxious.

5. Choose to either be excited or anxious

[caption id="attachment_7177" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Students learn how to make contact using protective gear. They learn how to train with or without protective gear in a safe fun environment.[/caption] While the sensei has decided that your kid is qualified for grading or competition, and he or she feels nervous, understand that it is all a part of the test. This test entails performing karate under stress. Since karate is a self-defense martial art, it is its job to get you ready to deal with your attackers. However, the sad thing is that being attacked tends to spike the adrenaline. The grading or tournament may also spark tiny doses of what a person will feel when assaulted while walking on the street. The key to keeping a kid level headed is to tell them to find a joyous moment. When anxiety is reframed as a thing that is quite fun, you will feel relaxed. Conclusion When it comes to your kid getting ready to be graded in any of the martial arts schools in Las Vegas, you can tell them to close their eyes and concentrate on doing their diverse techniques on an empty mind. They should learn to focus on being in the moment. In the end, your kid can try out any of these steps to overcome nerves in karate.                

REFERENCE LINKS

  https://www.shizokumartialarts.co.nz/personal/overcome-stress-anxiety-and-nerves/ https://www.karatebyjesse.com/overcome-anxiety-grading-competing/ading-competing/