Advice for first time competing at BJJ tournament?

[Jezrah Gould]

tjr

[Paul McKeown]

Obviously nerves will play into but just try to relax and enjoy yourself, it's not the end of the world if you lose, you'll either win or learn, or both All the best for it buddy

[Apperz]

Remove all expectations and just see what happens… focus on doing yourself justice and having a good time. If you do the best you can do and lose 4 matches then you should be proud. If you over think things and perform badly as a result then you will be frustrated at yourself for months.

[BrandonWoolsey]

Like the others have said, relax and have fun. We don't ever lose in jiu jitsu, we win or learn. As long as you can look at it through a students eyes instead of ego you will be good to go.

[Fraser Taylor]

Just as a wee confidence boost: Remember, if your coach has entered you into this competition, he obviously knows you can do well and totally believes in you, just make sure you believe in yourself.

As everyone else has also said: Relax - but it's easier said than done Just have fun bro

[Andrew "Chewie" James]

Breathe, I know its sounds stupid and obvious but a lot of people forget to breathe & it burns out their techniques during the competition as well I find taking those few moments helps me relax my muscles and focus instead of worrying or getting caught up in that nervous energy.

[Peterm]

Some random thoughts:

1. If you have not done so already a few practice matches under the competition rules might be useful if they can be arranged.
2. Expect a long day of sitting around and just waiting for a match which can be draining.
3. Take sufficient digestible food that you know agrees with you and obviously adequate fluids.
4. Try to establish in advance a warm up routine which works to get you ready for a match.
5. Have a track suit/appropriate warm clothes to change in to after your matches.
6. Easier said that done but relax by concentrating on the process rather than the outcome.
7. Be humble if you win and dignified if you lose.

[Tori Applegate]

#1- Have a plan B. Plan A sometimes falls through. I've froze before and lost when I know I could have beaten those people. #2- ...MOVE!!!!! Just move. In a bad spot? MOVE. #3- Be the aggressor. Normally whoever gets to their game first wins the match..Don't hesitate. Just go.

[mountveggie]

Your team-mates may already have warned you about this but.... be prepared to be bored. Very bored. There's a LOT of waiting time at BJJ tournaments (doesn't matter where you live, it seems to be universal).

With that said though, at the end of the day, you'll definitely enjoy yourself and learn quite a bit (the pressure, intensity, energy levels and strategies are totally different at tournaments).

So have fun and remember.... don't be a douche and hang on to the advantage for dear life (happens all the time at gi tournaments unfortunately). Go for the finish and win or lose, have loads of fun competing and hanging out with your teammates. Best of luck!

[Justin W.]

pretty much all you need to berimbolo.