[Xiciljed]

Remember zanshin... first shiai jitters have the result of making people not have enough zanshin, they don't run through or have enough kiai, etc. and without it you will get no points regardless of how good the initial attempt is...

Be aggressive... not all out crazy... but if you let them be aggressive and more offensive than you then you are gonna be at a disadvantage... in the very least, if your attacks are not good enough for ippon, by going at them you will hopefully mess up their maai and timing and all that so it will also help to protect you...