Tips for my next Karate tournament?

Make your strikes more deliberate. I saw a lot of random 'hope it lands' attempts. Some did land but if I would have been a judge I would not have given you points for 'accidental landings' either, if you know what I mean.

Don't leave your kicks out. You got your leg caught more than once. Learn to rechamber hard. It has the purpose of pulling your leg out of your opponents grab before he gets a real good hold.

Learn to break angles. Push off at an angle land a punch and either go back to your position or keep going to the back of your opponent. In and out quickly. Be committed when you do this. It works a lot better than you may think. There was a lot of times you hesitated especially in the first fight of the video and that cost you. You got in OK but then stopped. Practice this is the dojo with your class mates rather than trying to win the fights in the dojo. It will take you a while to get good timing on this but is well worth the trouble of figuring out.

What I liked: You got good kicks. Develop those so they are not too random. You landed some really nice ones but unfortunately just as many random throws with no real target.

Remember: If you clash the judges won't score. It is impossible to see who did what first if you are caught in a random barrage of punches. The judges on one side will see one thing while the judges on the other will see another thing. In a clash the opponents are too close together to see any clear techniques.

Strategy: Be the first one in the ring. Look where the judges are standing. If you are right handed and your strong side is your right side you want to be lined up on the side so the majority of judges will be to your right. It doesn't work for all tournaments but most local tournaments are negligent in this part. At least for the beginning, if you can get a technique right off the bat it could score you a point especially if you become proficient in pushing off quickly at an angle, striking and then being just as quickly out of your opponent's reach. You are agile enough to pull this off. Of course, as you start circling you will lose that advantage. But remember, if you score they'll put you right back on your starting points.

I agree with you're analysis. Your not moving well. You stand in front of your opponent too much. You need a new system of movement. One of the problems with Karate is that it has poor footwork. Learn new footwork styles and execute your Karate from these new methods of movement.

I try to take principles from Dominick Cruz. I believe he has some of the worlds best footwork. I'd like to see you stand less in front of guys, utilize your speed and become more elusive.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xsJsukVrmpY

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g32r2x6FW5s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CLko-zyUA88

Martial artist journeyman for 20years. Philosophy of Jeet Kune Do is the way and truth. Study with as many people and gyms/schools as possible. Care little about rank or belts.

1) When fighting someone that big (the red belt) with longer reach, you must not step out when you have already closed the range. When you step out, he has the advantage in range. When you closed the range, you have the advantage and should press the attack. For example, in the first bout, that big guy threw punches which you ducked inside, but then you stepped away when you were in perfect position to follow it with a counter punch.

2) Your kick is quick and you are not telegraphing it, but you are not aiming. Several times had you not missed, your kick would have been a game ender.

3) You need to learn how to sidestep. Against the first guy, you kept going head to head when he charged. He outweighs you and you are not going to stop him. But you could had set him up for a counter by stepping either inside or outside.

4) You need to work on your blocks especially against punches to the face - you keep missing and had the other guy not missed so many times, you would have been hit in the head several times. You need to stop bending down to block low kicks.

5) You stances is slightly too wide. Wide stance is good at the moment your strikes connect, but it is not the best when you need to be mobile.

I don't know they gave you someone two times your size. I think anyone would struggle if they give up 30 pounds and a few inches in height. You have pretty good footwork but try to be a little patient. I think you will improve alot if you continue to listen to everything your coaches tell you.

Keep your hands up in front of your face.