Things To Consider Before Signing Up For A BJJ Competition

If you are new to BJJ, you will want to compete eventually, here are some suggestions that might help make that journey a successful one. Well, if you have played in any recreational sport, then you get how healthy and fun it is for you to get out on the mats or field and go against another person or team.

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If you are new to BJJ and are thinking about competition, we want to help you find even more reasons to get out there, then not to try it. Being new to the sport may be scary if you have never fought or wrestled before now, engaging in combat with another fighter can get your energy amped and your nerves ramped up. After the first BJJ competition, you will begin to get a greater feel for how it all works and the tempo of the tournament. Here are additional pointers to help you get motivated and enter your first BJJ competition!

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BJJ Competitions At White Belt Are A Great Place To Start

When you’re a white belt, entering a tournament at this point is ideal . The other white belts will be wet behind the ears and just as nervous as you. In some situations, you may find that your first BJJ match is against a Judo practitioner and that they have a pretty big advantage when it comes to takedowns.

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After getting your blue belt, the competitors are deeper into their training, have been on the mats rolling longer, and have committed to getting their blue belt and competing. This same theory applies as you are awarded new belts, and you can see why I believe it’s advantageous for white belts to fight as much as humanly possible before they get promoted.

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Of course, when you give it some thought, you might second guess a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament because of nervous tension, or anxiety, but there are other variables that might discourage a BJJ fighter from competing. Nagging injuries are often a challenge, aging can be a factor, finances could be an issue for some, schedules don’t always align with competition day, and you know, working and family can seem to interfere with your Brazilian jiu-jitsu practices and matches. If you are alright with those realities in your life and can still compete, well that’s amazing! If not, get out on the mats and your roll will present itself.

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So let’s imagine you have gotten past those things I referenced above, what do you do now? If you have been grappling on a regular basis, then you understand that repetition promotes growth and that you must regularly drill on strategy and cardio to make a solid performance in the tournament. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is packed with athletes just like you that are regularly training and figuring out whether or not they will compete. We need to tune out that voice in the back of our skulls that launches every excuse not to roll in our face, and if you can block that out and stick to your practice hours you will be in good shape.

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Getting In Where You Fit In With BJJ

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If you’re lucky, you decided to get your BJJ promotions at a real place to train, and have steered clear of the McDojo’s in this town that makes false claims and runs on the outskirts of the BJJ lines. Trust when I say, there are many guys out there prancing around with a Black Belt and are a disgrace having it. This happens in quieter towns, but with high speed mobile phones at your disposal, you will be able to brows the internet and find out whose who in the zoo. With the right team working with you, and definitely if they enroll in competitions, you will be given immediate instruction from coaches that should tell you what you might expect in a tournament. A legit Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym will also know how to get you ready physically and mentally for competition.

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You Must Make Time

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will require more time spent at the gym. If you are a weekend warrior just looking for a recreational activity, or a head rush, this will be great for you. On the other hand, if you have considered competitive matches and want to improve your jiu-jitsu game to the next level, you are going to want to set aside time for class, rolling, competition rolling, and weight training. BJJ practitioners that roll professionally observe this and you should too. Developing a game plan for your roll time will benefit you as a athlete in lots of ways.

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Getting Your Mind Right To Fight

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Besides the physical part of it, it’s crucial that you train to be spiritually ready as well. If you have watched a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match you will notice championship caliber competitors fail in the in the mental game. Mental mistakes are common, and those that have paid attention to this detail most leave the floor with a gold medal. It’s something you should pay close attention to. There are sports psychiatrists that work with competitors to get their minds right for competition day. Some people benefit from the help, while others do just fine without it. If you are thinking about competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mental coaching is something you should at least consider.

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Preparing The Body For Battle

Showing up to class is just the beginning of the physical qualifications athletes need to compete. Athletes will want to be fit, light on their feet, and have solid cardio. some could be in a tournament with three matches, or it may go to 6 matches. Training your core for the muscle shock you will endure is a must. Training BJJ isn’t everything, you will want to try resistance lifting, weight lifting, full body movement, and exercise your grip. You have no idea how tired your grips gets until you have battled in an event. Your grips and wrist strength need to be solid if you want to secure a gold reward. Diet is and water is super important at this point, if you do drugs, put the drinks in the cabinet for a bit and focus on your training. The rate that you can stay focused on all of this is your call. If your schedule isn’t an issue, get in as much as you can, fitness is always beneficial for the body. By preparing like this, you can lose some pounds, build endurance, improve cardio, and train yourself for the tournament.

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Learning Takedowns Is Important For Jiu-Jitsu

Most Brazilian jiu jitsu gyms start out on the knees, square off, and fight. In competition, the athletes start standing, then comes a guard-pull or takedown, and then the match really begins. The time spent on the feet and engaging for a takedown can be very draining, so game plan for one or two moves and strive to get good at those moves. Don’t waste two minutes standing and dancing around your competitor, most often I would prefer my opponent just pulls guard rather than the two of us moving around on our feet, it’s draining and fans don’t want to watch that. Prepare your takedown techniques before you battle, or you will notice yourself in a spot that you are unfamiliar with and the event could go south before you identify it.

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Preparing Yourself For Maximum Output

The majority of competitors are die hard gym members, some spend an hour or more than that daily rolling, and 1hour or more a day doing cardio and weights. Then there are some that aren’t that committed. Not to worry, because no matter where you stand with your BJJ training, you gotta know your body limits. Your body will show you signs and you must respond. If you get hurt due to submission attempt from your partner, tell them to dial back on that arm, or if your leg is hurting from double leg takedowns, quit training from your feet, and begin working from the ground. Bruises and injury are a part of the journey, as you would expect from any combat sport. Understand the limits of your body, let your physical-self rebound, and take care of it while it recovers. If you prioritize quality body maintenance and injury prevention your jiu-jitsu career will run longer should you avoid major injuries.

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Support The People You Train With

Another healthy component is the support you show to the folks you train with and the academy you workout in. If you decide to try a tournament, you are joining the team on match night and trying to bring home the gold overall for your academy. It’s like a family that gets formed when you see other people that are like you rolling for the same end goal, and also for the same school. That relationship among each fighter translates on to the mats every time when you grapple. It’s good for your health, and it’s another solid reason why competing a few times is something you should consider, especially to speed up belt promotions.

What Tournament Do You Want To Compete In

There are lots of local opportunities that you will be able to roll in all year. Typically, there are 1-2 large ones, then a bunch of smaller ones that are around to help you get those sets in prior to competing. Newbies need to understand that there is No-Gi and Gi competitions that you can sign up for. Gi events are normal for newbies, it’s easier to latch on to the lapel of a Gi than it is to get your hands when you start at the beginning for No-Gi matches . Keep your eyes on the prize, but the basic concept that you can hold onto threads in a Gi match makes for an easier event for beginners and for practitioners that probably have never fought in a no-gi match.

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Why People Train At Multiple BJJ Schools

By competing in state ran events, you are obligated fight for your people, but most likely if you show up more often, you will begin to nurture friendships with fighters outside of your gym. These relationships will be solid for a number of reasons. There are a few gals in my academy that are leaders in industries that I need industry specific help in. As an example, 1 grappler runs a pediatric speciality clinic, another is a judge, and one gal is an internet marketer. I actually used those services offered by the oral surgeon for my sister’s orthodontics. Grapplers in the class regularly visit the chiropractor most of the time, these are considered mutually beneficial relationships. Training and chatting with practitioners and members provides a familiar introduction to people you may have not even spoked with. It’s great for your BJJ career, and it’s good for your local community.

Preparing For Out Of Country BJJ Tournaments

For those that like a little road trip, or just want to skip town, grappling out of state is a ton of of fun. Take a two way plane ride to another area, then you can compete at a weekend tournament. This is something you gotta try sometime, it’s fun getting out there and rep’n your academy. Rolling for a title on someone else’s property can be challenging. Cherish the moment, create new bonds, make connections, and return home to your team with 1st place bragging rights to your grappling partners. Trust me, that is always fun to do.

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Compete In A BJJ Tournament

Now you have it, You’re ready to compete, have a look at some of these competition websites for competition dates in your state. Find a day that works for you and commit to getting it done.

Cheers!