Mental Training for Mixed Martial Arts – Empire Martial Arts, Upper Coomera, Gold Coast.
The Importance of Mental Training for Mixed Martial Arts
Fighters have devoted plenty of time to the physical aspect of preparing for mixed martial arts competition, but surprisingly few people address the mental aspect of this discipline. The connection between what you’re thinking and how you’re going to perform is surprisingly strong, so if you intend to be effective in competition, you need to be mentally dedicated and emotionally solid. Here’s a look at what mental training for mixed martial arts is so important, as well as a few techniques to help you get your mind into shape just like your body.
Confidence
When it comes to any kind of martial arts practice, confidence is key. If you don’t believe in yourself, there’s a good chance that your opponent will sense it and take advantage. Confidence isn’t the same as being delusional, however. Make sure you understand both your strengths and limitations, then work to overcome your problems. Believing in your abilities is the first step to winning regularly.
Mental Resilience
If you’re going to deal with a truly competitive situation, you have to have a lot of mental resilience. You need to be capable of getting through a setback without allowing it to crush your confidence. Even serious losses shouldn’t be allowed to stop you. With the right level of mental strength, you can shrug off these issues and move forward towards your goals.
Analysis
Mixed martial arts fighters have to be able to analyze a situation clearly. Otherwise, it’s impossible to make the right decisions quickly enough to make a difference. Many fighters actually start looking at their opponents’ performance several weeks or months before a big fight. If you’ve developed the right analysis skills, this can help you determine strengths and weaknesses, creating a seamless plan for dealing with each individual opponent. You have to be able to visualize the upcoming fight and decide how you’re going to deal with it in advance.
Assertiveness
Because MMA is a very competitive sport, you have to do more than just be confident in yourself. You have to be capable of turning that confidence into action. Give yourself permission to win in your own mind before you head into any fight. If you feel timid or like you aren’t ready to jump forward aggressively, there’s a good chance that you’ve already lost the fight before you even begin. Build up your assertiveness and be willing to put yourself out there if you really want to be a winner in MMA.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Known as NLP, Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a unique approach to communication and development originally developed 4 decades ago. It relies on the link between language, neurological processes and behaviour. These can all be altered via experience, and by deliberately inducing specific exercises, you can guide the process. Amazing results have been acheived by changing your personal language patterns and behaviors, you can improve your life experience. Attitude is the key.
Meditation
Usually associated with prayer and yoga, meditation is actually any practice in which you train your mind to enter a calmer state of mind. It has been shown to reduce stress,improve sports performance, improve relaxation and increase concentration. Regular meditation also increases memory, self-esteem and many many other important personal attributes.
Goal Setting
Makes your dreams much more achievable. You can use goal setting to support any area in your life, from making more money to winning the championship belt to weight loss. The trick is to make sure you choose specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time targeted plans, or SMART goals. By engaging in a formal goal setting process, you direct your attention effectively, and ensure that you stick with your project. The result is a higher level of achievement.
At Empire Martial Arts on the Gold Coast the following mental training is available to you. The opportunity to learn the skills and the importance of mental training through practical exercises including Neuro-linguisic Programming (NLP) and Sports Hypnosis which is all based on psychological skills training for athletes.
