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Competition mindset, getting back into it
5 year(s) ago • 1626 views • 13 replies
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
So I've not really competed seriously in about 6 years and I want to get back into it. Are there any podcast episodes that anyone can recommend for tips on preparing for comps?
Or any tips in general from regular competitors?
Or any tips in general from regular competitors?
JJBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
So I've not really competed seriously in about 6 years and I want to get back into it. Are there any podcast episodes that anyone can recommend for tips on preparing for comps? Or any tips in general from regular competitors?
I am sure you already know most of this stuff but just in general...
- Do not cut weight for jiu-jitsu/Probably get bumped up anyways.
- Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before. If not take some creatine in a shake before you drive out.
- Sign up for just Gi and Executive/Masters divisions if you want to take it easy you first competition back. They will normally be a bit more slower pace than Nogi and Adult Divisions.
- Bring a camera that you can set up the scorekeepers desk to record your matches and look back at your mistakes.
- Talk to your opponents before the match to help them be more relaxed also.
- At Brown Belt just about everything should be legal in most tournaments in the Gi except heel hooks. In the Gi it is very common now for guys to go for Estima's/Straight Ankle's and Toe Holds. You must know how to defend your feet and your knee line the same as you would your elbows.
- Don't burn out your forearms and quads. Use your muscle endurance energy wisely.
- At higher levels you really have to know how to set up your attacks with some form of deception and good timing. Timing and deception is everything or insanely good control to where your able to force them to only move where you want them to. So either you need to be really confident in your ability to control from where you plan on attacking from or have a really good set up or chain of attacks that is hard for them to keep up with and make them feel like they are in quicksand just constantly on the defense and never able to catch back up.
- Have a solid game plan already in mind. You should know if your going to go for a takedown or pull guard. You should know what your going to do next either through passing or sweeping or attacking something to set up what comes next. You should have something in mind that your trying to achieve from every position but if your opponent makes a mistake with their weight distribution or whatever be able to call an audible and attack it if your confident in your ability to do so as at higher levels you often just have to take what your opponent gives you regardless of what your wanting to do you can't always force your A game.
- If it's just a jiu-jitsu tournament nothing to be stressed out about when someone is not allowed to strike you. The most dangerous part is just not knowing what is dangerous and I am sure you already know what is dangerous so the risk of injury is really low and no reason to get nervous or stressed.
- You normally learn more from losing than winning anyways so don't worry about feeling like you must win even if they match you up with a Purple Belt etc. which is very likely to happen at any regional tournament unless your in a big area. A lot of purple belt competitors or higher in some areas are instructors and all they do is jiu-jitsu every single day. You might face a purple that feels like a black belt or a black belt that feels like a blue belt. It's random as hell.
- Do not cut weight for jiu-jitsu/Probably get bumped up anyways.
- Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before. If not take some creatine in a shake before you drive out.
- Sign up for just Gi and Executive/Masters divisions if you want to take it easy you first competition back. They will normally be a bit more slower pace than Nogi and Adult Divisions.
- Bring a camera that you can set up the scorekeepers desk to record your matches and look back at your mistakes.
- Talk to your opponents before the match to help them be more relaxed also.
- At Brown Belt just about everything should be legal in most tournaments in the Gi except heel hooks. In the Gi it is very common now for guys to go for Estima's/Straight Ankle's and Toe Holds. You must know how to defend your feet and your knee line the same as you would your elbows.
- Don't burn out your forearms and quads. Use your muscle endurance energy wisely.
- At higher levels you really have to know how to set up your attacks with some form of deception and good timing. Timing and deception is everything or insanely good control to where your able to force them to only move where you want them to. So either you need to be really confident in your ability to control from where you plan on attacking from or have a really good set up or chain of attacks that is hard for them to keep up with and make them feel like they are in quicksand just constantly on the defense and never able to catch back up.
- Have a solid game plan already in mind. You should know if your going to go for a takedown or pull guard. You should know what your going to do next either through passing or sweeping or attacking something to set up what comes next. You should have something in mind that your trying to achieve from every position but if your opponent makes a mistake with their weight distribution or whatever be able to call an audible and attack it if your confident in your ability to do so as at higher levels you often just have to take what your opponent gives you regardless of what your wanting to do you can't always force your A game.
- If it's just a jiu-jitsu tournament nothing to be stressed out about when someone is not allowed to strike you. The most dangerous part is just not knowing what is dangerous and I am sure you already know what is dangerous so the risk of injury is really low and no reason to get nervous or stressed.
- You normally learn more from losing than winning anyways so don't worry about feeling like you must win even if they match you up with a Purple Belt etc. which is very likely to happen at any regional tournament unless your in a big area. A lot of purple belt competitors or higher in some areas are instructors and all they do is jiu-jitsu every single day. You might face a purple that feels like a black belt or a black belt that feels like a blue belt. It's random as hell.
Edited 5 year(s) ago
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
JBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Compete as much as possible. The end.
True story.
Compete. It will make competing easier.
Compete. It will make competing easier.
SKBlack beltVerifiedScotland
5 year(s) ago
I stay in Scotland and had been competing regularly for 10 years until Covid put an end to everything. Really looking forward to getting back to it.
Best advice I can offer is that it’s natural to be nervous on the day and in the bull pen but keep in mind that your opponent will be going through all the same emotions and nerves that you are. Ensure that you go into your first match with a gameplan and replay at in your head loads of times in advance. Lastly, don't be put off if things don’t go exactly to plan on your first time back, competition is an erodible skill set.
All the best for it when the time comes.
Best advice I can offer is that it’s natural to be nervous on the day and in the bull pen but keep in mind that your opponent will be going through all the same emotions and nerves that you are. Ensure that you go into your first match with a gameplan and replay at in your head loads of times in advance. Lastly, don't be put off if things don’t go exactly to plan on your first time back, competition is an erodible skill set.
All the best for it when the time comes.
Edited 5 year(s) ago
VBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Easiest way is setup a couple of in house tournaments.
FGBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Compete as much as possible. The end.
While I agree that nothing prepares you for competition as much as regular competition, I do believe there are a lot of complementary things that you can to to help you prepare to compete effectively. Some simple examples include:
- Be in shape! You will need to put in the work to ensure that you step on the mat in the best physical shape that you possibly can. While you can't always control the outcome of the match, one thing you can do is control what is controllable and that includes your physical preparation. Being fit, gives you confidence!
- Focus on your game, not your opponent's! The goal is to draw your opponent into your game and play your strongest positions, giving you the greatest chance of victory. If you walk in and just defend and look for an opportunity to capitolise on, then you are stacking the deck in your opponent's favour.
- Know the rules! While I believe that Jiu Jitsu is ultimately about achieving the submission, that is not always possible in competition and as rules dictate behaviour, many a great competitor has lost due to a better strategy or execution/exploitation of the competition rules. Yes I know it is not cool to say this, but it is true! Knowing the rules means that you shouldn't get caught unaware or off guard and helps to put your mind at ease.
- Have a Game plan! Spend time going through and working on your game plan with your coach at least a couple of months out from your competition so that you can be ready and spend time sharpening the sword for competition. Often what makes you successful in competition is vastly different from learning and improving your Jiu Jitsu every day on the mat. Having a game plan, and spending some serious time working on it will give you confidence.
- Be complete! It is ok to have some specialised techniques and positions and even encouraged for competition, but you must have at least a solid understanding of all common positions that you will encounter in competition. For a lot of people this means you need to learn some takedowns and not just solely rely on pulling guard! A little cross training in Judo and Wrestling goes a long way to wards improving these parts of your game and the fast paced athletic nature of these two arts will help prepare you for competition as well.
I'll stop here for now, and will get back to you about some podcasts as I can't think of any off the top of my head! lol!
- Be in shape! You will need to put in the work to ensure that you step on the mat in the best physical shape that you possibly can. While you can't always control the outcome of the match, one thing you can do is control what is controllable and that includes your physical preparation. Being fit, gives you confidence!
- Focus on your game, not your opponent's! The goal is to draw your opponent into your game and play your strongest positions, giving you the greatest chance of victory. If you walk in and just defend and look for an opportunity to capitolise on, then you are stacking the deck in your opponent's favour.
- Know the rules! While I believe that Jiu Jitsu is ultimately about achieving the submission, that is not always possible in competition and as rules dictate behaviour, many a great competitor has lost due to a better strategy or execution/exploitation of the competition rules. Yes I know it is not cool to say this, but it is true! Knowing the rules means that you shouldn't get caught unaware or off guard and helps to put your mind at ease.
- Have a Game plan! Spend time going through and working on your game plan with your coach at least a couple of months out from your competition so that you can be ready and spend time sharpening the sword for competition. Often what makes you successful in competition is vastly different from learning and improving your Jiu Jitsu every day on the mat. Having a game plan, and spending some serious time working on it will give you confidence.
- Be complete! It is ok to have some specialised techniques and positions and even encouraged for competition, but you must have at least a solid understanding of all common positions that you will encounter in competition. For a lot of people this means you need to learn some takedowns and not just solely rely on pulling guard! A little cross training in Judo and Wrestling goes a long way to wards improving these parts of your game and the fast paced athletic nature of these two arts will help prepare you for competition as well.
I'll stop here for now, and will get back to you about some podcasts as I can't think of any off the top of my head! lol!
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Compete as much as possible. The end.
Just like Christian said! Compete as much as possible! It's the only way to get comfortable with the stresses of competition. You can listen to every podcast or audio book under the sun! None of them will truly prepare you like actually going out there to compete! One tip I would give to make it easier; don't dwell on the outcome! Don't dwell on the outcome before, during, or after the tournament. Regardless of results! More so, worry about having fun with the process of it all. Don't think about who you'll disappoint, who's watching, or what people will think. At the end of the day, no one cares as much as you own ego! It's a game! It's supposed to be fun! What's the point of doing it if you're not having fun?
JJBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
What's the point of doing it if you're not having fun?
To get better and have a greater understanding of what you are doing.
I hate working out. I never ever feel like oh I want to workout. But I do it sometimes because I know It's important.
I hate stretching. I hardly ever stretch and I need to stretch a lot more for my overall health and for jiu-jitsu.
I don't like eating healthy. But it is important.
I don't hate nor enjoy tournaments. They are mostly boring with very brief moments of excitement and much longer periods of time just wanting be able to eat some food.
But they are important for getting better at jiu-jitsu in an efficient manner and truly understanding what works and what doesn't. You obviously can get better at jiu-jitsu without ever doing any tournaments but your jiu-jitsu will have a lot of assumptions in it and some things that are really not going to work as well as you think when they get tested at high levels of intensity. The tournaments show you your weaknesses and force you to become more well rounded at the higher the levels you compete at in a way that practice never will.
Just a quick note. When I am training for example...I am almost never trying to win. I am trying to get better. I might actually "try to win" 3% of the time. They are entirely two different things. When your at a tournament who your facing is much more likely to be really trying to win and giving you maximum resistance and not allowing you to relax in anyway, And rarely there are even sometimes people who will actually try to injure you or not think twice about doing so if given the opportunity because your not tapping responsibility so you have to protect yourself at all times and not just rely on your training partners to do that for you. Having to experience this alone will force you to get better in way you will not be forced to get better at in normal practice at 95% of the jiu-jitsu gyms. Nor would I want to really train at that 5% except maybe once a month as I enjoy being able to relax in practice but realize that is what your doing when your practicing most of the time. You are relaxed in a safe calm environment for your own protection. You are being coddled and your coddling yourself. It is an overprotected form of jiu-jitsu as it should be. This is more of just a statement for those people who don't compete to try and understand the difference better.
Regardless if your training for self defense or sport jiu-jitsu this is going to be a huge help to your goals and if your doing jiu-jitsu for neither of those and just for health purposes you really picked the wrong art for health maintenance unless the act of doing jiu-jitsu itself inspires you to be healthy in every other aspect of your life or provides you with mental stability which it does do for some people.
And please don't take this post as any sort of insult I hope I can visit Arizona sometime in the next couple years if the "aliens" don't invade. But most people who compete often are not competing for fun but to get better or in their minds accomplish something. The people who compete once or twice a year may do so mostly for fun or trying to be a part of a team which is also great. But the people who are "competitors" are often just doing the competitions because it's just something that they know is important to do. Simple as that.
I hate working out. I never ever feel like oh I want to workout. But I do it sometimes because I know It's important.
I hate stretching. I hardly ever stretch and I need to stretch a lot more for my overall health and for jiu-jitsu.
I don't like eating healthy. But it is important.
I don't hate nor enjoy tournaments. They are mostly boring with very brief moments of excitement and much longer periods of time just wanting be able to eat some food.
But they are important for getting better at jiu-jitsu in an efficient manner and truly understanding what works and what doesn't. You obviously can get better at jiu-jitsu without ever doing any tournaments but your jiu-jitsu will have a lot of assumptions in it and some things that are really not going to work as well as you think when they get tested at high levels of intensity. The tournaments show you your weaknesses and force you to become more well rounded at the higher the levels you compete at in a way that practice never will.
Just a quick note. When I am training for example...I am almost never trying to win. I am trying to get better. I might actually "try to win" 3% of the time. They are entirely two different things. When your at a tournament who your facing is much more likely to be really trying to win and giving you maximum resistance and not allowing you to relax in anyway, And rarely there are even sometimes people who will actually try to injure you or not think twice about doing so if given the opportunity because your not tapping responsibility so you have to protect yourself at all times and not just rely on your training partners to do that for you. Having to experience this alone will force you to get better in way you will not be forced to get better at in normal practice at 95% of the jiu-jitsu gyms. Nor would I want to really train at that 5% except maybe once a month as I enjoy being able to relax in practice but realize that is what your doing when your practicing most of the time. You are relaxed in a safe calm environment for your own protection. You are being coddled and your coddling yourself. It is an overprotected form of jiu-jitsu as it should be. This is more of just a statement for those people who don't compete to try and understand the difference better.
Regardless if your training for self defense or sport jiu-jitsu this is going to be a huge help to your goals and if your doing jiu-jitsu for neither of those and just for health purposes you really picked the wrong art for health maintenance unless the act of doing jiu-jitsu itself inspires you to be healthy in every other aspect of your life or provides you with mental stability which it does do for some people.
And please don't take this post as any sort of insult I hope I can visit Arizona sometime in the next couple years if the "aliens" don't invade. But most people who compete often are not competing for fun but to get better or in their minds accomplish something. The people who compete once or twice a year may do so mostly for fun or trying to be a part of a team which is also great. But the people who are "competitors" are often just doing the competitions because it's just something that they know is important to do. Simple as that.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I retired from fighting in my early 40's and in my late 40's got cancer and when I beat it at 53 started competing again and I mean competing a lot at a high level.
For me coming back was easy and amazing because it was celebrating life and I was in a place where the result didn't really matter that much. Don't get me wrong I don't do ANYTHING to lose but for me this time the victory was really in the doing. No nerves just walk out and enjoy the one on one moment when the world melts away
For me coming back was easy and amazing because it was celebrating life and I was in a place where the result didn't really matter that much. Don't get me wrong I don't do ANYTHING to lose but for me this time the victory was really in the doing. No nerves just walk out and enjoy the one on one moment when the world melts away
JPBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
To get better and have a greater understanding of what you are doing. I hate working out. I never ever feel like oh I want to workout. But I do it sometimes because I know It's important. I hate stretching. I hardly ever stretch and I need to stretch a lot more for my overall health and for jiu-jitsu. I don't like eating healthy. But it is important. I don't hate nor enjoy tournaments. They are mostly boring with very brief moments of excitement and much longer periods of time just wanting be able to eat some food. But they are important for getting better at jiu-jitsu in an efficient manner and truly understanding what works and what doesn't. You obviously can get better at jiu-jitsu without ever doing any tournaments but your jiu-jitsu will have a lot of assumptions in it and some things that are really not going to work as well as you think when they get tested at high levels of intensity. The tournaments show you your weaknesses and force you to become more well rounded at the higher the levels you compete at in a way that practice never will. Just a quick note. When I am training for example...I am almost never trying to win. I am trying to get better. I might actually 'try to win' 3% of the time. They are entirely two different things. When your at a tournament who your facing is much more likely to be really trying to win and giving you maximum resistance and not allowing you to relax in anyway, And rarely there are even sometimes people who will actually try to injure you or not think twice about doing so if given the opportunity because your not tapping responsibility so you have to protect yourself at all times and not just rely on your training partners to do that for you. Having to experience this alone will force you to get better in way you will not be forced to get better at in normal practice at 95% of the jiu-jitsu gyms. Nor would I want to really train at that 5% except maybe once a month as I enjoy being able to relax in practice but realize that is what your doing when your practicing most of the time. You are relaxed in a safe calm environment for your own protection. You are being coddled and your coddling yourself. It is an overprotected form of jiu-jitsu as it should be. This is more of just a statement for those people who don't compete to try and understand the difference better. Regardless if your training for self defense or sport jiu-jitsu this is going to be a huge help to your goals and if your doing jiu-jitsu for neither of those and just for health purposes you really picked the wrong art for health maintenance unless the act of doing jiu-jitsu itself inspires you to be healthy in every other aspect of your life or provides you with mental stability which it does do for some people. And please don't take this post as any sort of insult I hope I can visit Arizona sometime in the next couple years if the 'aliens' don't invade. But most people who compete often are not competing for fun but to get better or in their minds accomplish something. The people who compete once or twice a year may do so mostly for fun or trying to be a part of a team which is also great. But the people who are 'competitors' are often just doing the competitions because it's just something that they know is important to do. Simple as that.
I get what you're saying and do agree with you. However, coming from a POV of someone that has been involved in a sport/art for over 26+ years, where the average lifespan of most practitioners is blue belt. In my experience, it's very difficult to stick to something and progress if you're not having fun. Look at working out! Most hate it and most don't stick to it because it's not fun and boring. If you quit because you're not having fun with it, how are you going to get better and have a greater understanding of what you're doing if you're not doing it?
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I get what you're saying and do agree with you. However, coming from a POV of someone that has been involved in a sport/art for over 26+ years, where the average lifespan of most practitioners is blue belt. In my experience, it's very difficult to stick to something and progress if you're not having fun. Look at working out! Most hate it and most don't stick to it because it's not fun and boring. If you quit because you're not having fun with it, how are you going to get better and have a greater understanding of what you're doing if you're not doing it?
Great point I always told people I competed because I loved training and it was a natural evolution. I was fortunate that I loved competing also. When i hear surfers talk about the quest for the perfect wave for me it is that moment of going live.
As a teacher for almost 30 years I have noticed the guys who enjoy training itself stick with it an progress if the goal is something else it peters out as it is to much work. If you enjoy the grind and repetition of training that is huge. If you don't try and learn to
As a teacher for almost 30 years I have noticed the guys who enjoy training itself stick with it an progress if the goal is something else it peters out as it is to much work. If you enjoy the grind and repetition of training that is huge. If you don't try and learn to
JWPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
As stated compete more. Personally I increase my amount of Mat time leading up to competition trying to get as many rounds in as possible during open mat with no resting in between to get my mat cardio up. Try to work at least 2 good take down set ups. If you get the take down you are already up by two points and generally I try to end up past my opponents legs so I am in a more dominant position. Good luck man and have fun! Oh take some haribo gummy bears. Those are my go to for in between matches. Good glucose syrup so converts to energy quickly.
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
That's very cool Phil. I've never thought to frame competition as a celebration of life, that's a great way to view it.
It's funny, Jay mentioned ego and how no one cares about my results as much as me. I've told my training partners and students the same many times, but I guess subconsciously I didn't think it applied to me! Haha
It's a very good point!
It's funny, Jay mentioned ego and how no one cares about my results as much as me. I've told my training partners and students the same many times, but I guess subconsciously I didn't think it applied to me! Haha
It's a very good point!
