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Hello 10th Planet! I'm competing in my first tournament and was wondering how much weight I should be cutting. If it's the week before the tournament with day before weight ins and I'm at 173, should I try to cut to 160 or just walk in at 170?
Also, any tips on controlling nerves before hand?
Thanks on advance!
http://youtu.be/7v9aExNl6qQ
I don't cut weight (I'd like my technique to speak for itself against stronger opponents) but I found this breathing exercise great to do the past few days to get in the zone, clear my head and did it before a competition the other day.
I think it's not good to cut for your first tournament. You will have so many other things to worry about and making weight does not need to be one. After this tournament you can decide if you may perform better at the smaller weight class. It also depends if you've ever cut before. If you have not, that's another reason to wait in my opinion.
None. I used to, but now I think what is the point. If you are in the brown / black belt divisions and looking to win a World Title then you likely have no option but to put yourself through it - Mendes Brothers, Marcelo, etc. If you are competing in the white, blue, purple divisions then you may as well look to overcome the weight discrepancies with technique. Your body lets you cut weight so many times (I think), start doing it too early and you will ruin it before you get anywhere.
That said, I walk around at about 74-76kg, the closest division to me is under 73.5kg, so I guess I do actually 'cut' a KG or two, but literally that will be a low fibre intake for a week and a reduced amount of water for about 12 hours before weigh-in.
My first tournament I cut about 13 lbs and it was very counter productive. I wouldn't cut weight unless it was just a few lbs. I did cut 3 lbs on my last one just because it was either over 200...or 190-200. I didn't wanna have a match against a guy that was 240.
Yea man, don't cut weight for your first tournament. The first time I competed I tried to do a weight cut the week of the tournament. By about Wednesday, I had decided I was not going to compete because there was no way I was going to make the weight Saturday. I tried to make some bullshit excuse to Brandon about why I all of a sudden couldn't compete at the tournament, luckily he figured it was about the weight cut and he told me to just compete at the weight I walk around at. I competed at my walk around weight that weekend and ended up winning gold in my division. However, I almost did not compete because of the added stress of making weight. I would recommend that you go and have fun, win or lose, you will get better by just going out there and competing. You do not need the extra stress of trying to make weight, trust me. I wouldn't think about weight cutting until you have competed in at least 10 tournaments.
I agree with Matt, just compete at your walk around weight until you are comfortable with competing and know what to expect. Think of it this way, would you rather be spending your time the week leading up to a comp on the scales or the mat?Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Skaff
go for 170. if you take a dump big enough those 3 pounds will disappear ;)
If you're gonna cut weight do it right. Rehydrate properly. I used to cut 10-15 for Comps but I've given that shit up. Cutting weight is for the birds. The only time I'll cut weight again is for an MMA fight. But even then it won't be much of a cut.
I don't like the idea cutting for a fight but I like to lean out to my lean weight, which is 155lbs and keep that weight for the week leading up to the matches.
That's what I'm doing right now for Gracie Worlds. I don't cut for tournaments since they typically combine weight classes but there it's just under 135 and 135+. I have 3 weeks to lose 4.5 pounds so it should be easy (fingers crossed!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurzy
I cut weight for too long when I was wrestling so I don't do it anymore. I also don't like the idea of beginners cutting weight. Like others have said, why add one more thing to worry about the week of the competition? I would rather focus on technique and conditioning rather than cutting weight and being hungry and miserable.
I typically only get up to 4 or 5 pounds above my competition weight and always eat healthy and stay in shape, so it only takes a couple weeks of tightening things up to get to weight.
Morning of or matside weigh-ins most you should cut is what you can sweat off during normal warm ups, so probably 2-3 pounds.
Night before you are probably safe cutting 5-9 pounds, depending on size. I would only cut if you have done it before and you respond favorably to it. Even then, a lot of times divisions are combined, so it sucks to cut weight and then wind up in the same division anyway.
In terms of dealing with nerves, map out your game plan on paper. How you see a perfect match going, how you would respond if people stop or frustrate your perfect moves. Then visualize yourself in these scenarios. Visualize success.
Beyond that, just focus on doing your best and having fun. It's all a learning experience that will make you stronger win lose or draw.
3 pounds for this weekend.
http://grapplingindustries.com/event-register/
^^Sound advice, from somebody that knows a thing or two about competitions. Just go have some fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by Amber Kamischke
I generally agree, but sometimes there are big gaps between weight classes, and getting smushed by someone a lot heavier than you is a pretty miserable first tournament experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg W
For your first tournament, You should be asking if you should cut to 170 or just do one 180. 13 pounds is such a bad idea for your first cut. And then brackets may be combined anyway. My success in 2013 came partially from not cutting the TWO pounds to get to 129 anymore. I felt a little better that way, especially as often as I was competing. I've cut weight deep in the double digit amount of times by the way. 95% of those I shouldn't have.
On a side note, it was mentioned above about cutting weight when your at Marcelo's level... I think its relevant to mention that he says he diets before comps (eats clean, ext.) but doesn't cut and tells his guys not to. He thinks it effects your physical attributes more than it helps you getting into another weight. Wish I knew where that interview was off the top of my head, I'd post that for you.
Best of luck buddy, and never stress your first tournament at all!
Most guys seem to crash diet rather than cut intelligently, which is where the problem lies. If you had decided to make 160 four weeks ago, it would have been a cake walk.
I know about large gaps between weight classes. Most for women are 20-25lbs! I cut for my first naga going from 142 down to 135 and got moved up anyway to go against girls who cut to 160. That's when I decided not to cut. If I can't get there naturally a month out then I won't do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by NotReady
I literally just went through this situation myself. I was starting a permit weight cut at 255. By time comp time came, I was walking around 225. My goal was to compete in the 215 bracket. I could feel myself begin constantly weak and tired during rolls and I didn't realize just how badly my body was taking the hard weight cut the week before comp until I actually had someone UNDO a body triangle I had on them, and they only used 1 hand.....So after some talking with Trey Rushing and my other coach, the decision was to take the last 3 day off and just rest. Eat normal and just walk in at whatever weight I was. It came down to the decision of either competing at a lower weight class at 50% or compete at a higher weight class at 100%. I'm glad I listened. I walked in at 223 so I had to do ultra. I still took silver at least. And turned around and competed in the gi division and took second in that as well. I know for a fact, if I would have kept trying to drop those last lbs, I would have lost every match just by being to tired from the cut.
TL;DR Best bet is to go in feeling 100% regardless what weight you are.
Edit: Holy hell my grammar is atrocious when on my phone.
If you do decide to cut weight then check out this article. I have used this method on several different occasions. I cut around 10lbs each time.
http://www.grapplearts.com/Blog/2012...d-make-weight/
I wouldnt worry much about cutting etiher unless your like 2-3 pounds away from being a weight class below.....you can do that by taking a dump really....lol...if its more than that i would say just hold of especially if it is your first comp
thats what I thought too. 2-3 pounds its worth cutting. but even so, I`m a bit hungrier since Im already skinny so there`s not much to cut from. in 2 days it seems I may have lost about a pound. but it could just be water... or poop.
Sounds like everyone has covered it for the most part, but I cast my vote here too. I wouldn't cut much at all. 2-5lb max. Especially for your first 2-3 comps. Still, eat clean, and try to make your diet flawless for a few weeks out if its not always good.
Just want to say how much I love this community. If this had been Sherdog the guy originally posting would have been advised to cut 40ibs and given tons of advice on how to do it (by people who have never competed before).
I have been cutting weight for tournaments for year since I was 15 for my judo and found that cutting is ok as long is it done right and your not to over the top dont want to cut more that 5lbs really or becomes counter productive just do it right as it day before you have plenty of time to rehydrate and stuff ya face with food
just be careful to make sure your not aiming to high and that watch your body so you know if its to far
When I was competing in Boxing I had a lot of trouble changing my weight in either direction, I was what I was within a 5 lbs range. This is actually not bad for pre-bout or same-day weigh-ins but caused problems when competing against seasoned opponents who were good at cutting weight.
I read this article http://fourhourworkweek.com/2013/05/...ut-weight-ufc/ and have tried the method not as extreme though. I was easily able to drop 13 lbs without any suffering. But for your first competition I would just eat lean and clean for the week leading up to the competition as others have said.
I can honestly say I didn't expect to see this one sided of an argument for not cutting. Thank you all for the advice! I'll post results after the tournament...