How to prepare to fight opponents one belt higher than you.

Say your given a situation where you have to fight in a tournament in a division higher than what you are. For instance blue against purple or purple against brown. I'm sure there are monsters out there that can beat higher belts but I would say most of the time the belt doesn't lie and for the sake of the question how would just an average guy of average physical attributes prepare in say a week or two weeks time mentally and physically to fight in a belt division higher than theirs? I mean prepare as in try to try to win (if its possible) and give your best and how to play your game and not get caught do to there several years advantage of training they would have own you. Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by Don "Singlet" Blankenship

Say your given a situation where you have to fight in a tournament in a division higher than what you are. For instance blue against purple or purple against brown. I'm sure there are monsters out there that can beat higher belts but I would say most of the time the belt doesn't lie and for the sake of the question how would just an average guy of average physical attributes prepare in say a week or two weeks time mentally and physically to fight in a belt division higher than theirs? I mean prepare as in try to try to win (if its possible) and give your best and how to play your game and not get caught do to there several years advantage of training they would have own you. Thoughts?

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Since I am not a high belt I can't give you solid advice, but can tell you what I would have done if I were in your situation, whether it would work or not I am not sure.

If you had more than a month or so I would say cardio, cardio, cardio, but since you have a couple weeks, I'd go and train one sub and one sub only almost everyday. Say kimura, triangle whatever. But I would concentrate on one thing and try to win the match with that. More than likely you are not gonna be able to match them grappling stamina, sense, sweeps etc.. wise so just pull a Kristof Soczinsky and get real good at one sub and learn how to get it from different angles and positions. If you are gonna fight more than one guy the same day they are prolly gonna figure your game out pretty much after the second match :))

The mindset is to go in there knowing you can beat a guy. If you go in there without a killer mindset, you may lose before you've even touched the mat.
Know this though: win or lose, you are gaining experience to ultimately learn about yourself and what you need to work on. This is the fastest way to learn. It's why you hear so many people say that when competing in a tournament(big or small), your knowledge of the game increases quickly. It's not only the preparation on the mat and the studying that goes along with preparing for the tourney, but the day of the tourney you get an immediate answer to what you may be lacking.
Then, it's back to the lab to continue learning/refining.

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Originally Posted by Slick Rick

The mindset is to go in there knowing you can beat a guy. If you go in there without a killer mindset, you may lose before you've even touched the mat.
Know this though: win or lose, you are gaining experience to ultimately learn about yourself and what you need to work on. This is the fastest way to learn. It's why you hear so many people say that when competing in a tournament(big or small), your knowledge of the game increases quickly. It's not only the preparation on the mat and the studying that goes along with preparing for the tourney, but the day of the tourney you get an immediate answer to what you may be lacking.
Then, it's back to the lab to continue learning/refining.

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great post

All you can do is play your game man. Try and impose your will and do your best. Whatever happens, happens. I wouldn't worry too much about the belt anyways.

"There is no better preparation for the act than the act itself"

I'd prob find as many people of that belt rank (or higher) and ask them to train with you if possible and practice tourney simulations. Tell them to sub u as quick as they can, and then give u feedback right after and just do that for the last week(s) before the tourney. Then the day of remind urself at the end they're human too, and then go in with the mindset that u can win as well.

When you compete no gi, rank is not an issue. I never know who I beat, or who I lost to. Just advanced no gi competitor, unless by some chance someone tells me, which has not happened. And if they did, doesnt really matter to me, lets seeeeeee. But this is coming from an unranked Ronin.

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Originally Posted by Scott Philips

All you can do is play your game man. Try and impose your will and do your best. Whatever happens, happens. I wouldn't worry too much about the belt anyways.

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AGREED....The belt is just to hold the pants up

I like to create scramble situations that i know he has little experience with. Even as blackbelts not all moves they know are on a blackbelt level. put him in situations where he has to think. I also like to tap into my fight or flight mindset. you know like forget about losing, this guy is trying to kill you!!! tell myself i could die in this match. I mean if you get caught in something your life and limbs are at the mercy of two complete strangers.

don't let your mind wander.

you can get away with mistakes at white belt, maybe even with blue belts for certain things, but there's no way in hell you can make a mistake against a purple, brown or black and get away with it. Be sharp.

and stay tight, if you don't know what's going on or are uncertain about what they're trying to do, keep everything tucked in tight and play a tight guard game. And stay out of unfamiliar waters, no north south if you don't know it well enough.

to quote bruce lee "don't think... feel. It's like a finger pointing to the moon."

It really is a mindset. don't be in awe of their rank. continue to move and work. Staying still or just hanging in there doesn't win matches so don't waste time thinking or catching a breath. This usually gives opponents more confidence and time to advance when they are already in dominant positions. Remember to use pimp arms, head control, and know when it's time to open your guard rather than prolong getting your close guard passed.

It's quite apparent when your the aggressor and you're running up against solid text book defense, rather than thicken the plot, if you feel you've come to a stop sign you should work for something else. the idea is to continuously remain a threat with out getting caught.

1st off good thread and this thought has crossed my mind many times! I went against a guy who tapped out my instructor at a tourney and I was happy when I went the distance! It felt great but I used my cardio to my advantage I think thats the best edge against a higher ranked person in my opinion but you never know cause it is jiu jitsu!

Just because you are a blue or whatever doesn't mean you don't have purple level chokes or guard etc... The key will be training on putting your opponent in that position from anywhere. Train your shit and go giant killing lol

i agree with slick rick. its all mental.

Toehold

sorry, it's all I got

Better cardio + pushing the pace of the match is the obvious answer to me.