Tournaments are a great way to help improve students ability and to create a team spirit. If correctly inspired it can be the best thing for a school, sensei and students. Team Spirit should be a positive influence in the dojo and at tournaments.
Help your team be the best it can be. Keep it positive. Don’t pit your team members against others, but encourage your team to do their best. Whether win or lose, make sure to shake hands and acknowledge your competitors. Some of the best friendships over the years have been made at tournaments. Make it a point to be friends with your competitors. At least until you bow into the ring. Even then, remember that this is a competition not a real life battle.
Keep in mind that the Team is not just the competitors, but the whole group that comes with them. This means parent too. Remember when you are cheering that the other competitor’s parents might be sitting right next to you. Be friendly, keep comments positive and don’t coach. Say hi to the family, the kids may want to hang out together after.
