First competition...need some help

[Dominick Dealy]

I'm doing my very first competition and I'm damn excited. but i need some advice as to what i should really work on and what moves/techniques i should know.

here's the list of everything that is not allowed:

Slam from guard

Any Leg Locks

Any Cervical Locks

Bicep Lock

Calf Lock

Wrist Lock

Foot locks of any kind

Scissor takedown

Heel Hook

so anything that follow these guidelines or something i can really use and utilize would be much appreciated.

[Jim Jefferson]

Pay attention to the rules meeting for competitors closely first off. I did my first comp last Saturday (vids and pics coming soon) and I almost got DQ'd because when the rules paper said no DANGEROUS neck cranks what they really meant was no neck cranks LOL. Focus on staying calm and using your 10th Planet techniques that present themselves. Focus on guard passing, tight side control on top, keeping the lockdown tight until you're ready to move and what to do when you just can't get the neck for the rear naked ( I had an issue with guys with no necks and I stumbled there and had a technique brain fart)I knew immediately after that the Truck was wide open. I only hit the gas to come out on top of scrambles. Remember to breathe, my matches were submission only 8 minutes with overtime being hold dominant position for 5 sec. with no time limits and it was a cardio eye opener for sure! Stay loose all day, sometimes the kids and teens (if they are there too) go for a while and you'll have some waiting. One last thing, there is always a way out, take your time and find it. Then choke someone out! Please remember that I too am a beginner and just sharing what I went through in South Carolina. Hope this helps a bit.

[Dominick Dealy]

thank you so much. I'm really going to work on all of that. you are of great help.

[The kza]

work on wrestling and securing position, cardio should be up there as well.

[Jon Helton]

Choke your opponent and then get your hand raised. It's easy.

[Preston Bludworth]

Be ready for a little bit of a different game than you are used to at the gym. At the gym, it is your buddies and the atmosphere and goals are different. At tournaments, many people go into it like it is a fight. I have heard many people commonly refer to their matches as fights. Go into it ready for war mentally.

Technique wise, stick to your most basic set ups. You asked what techniques to work on but I think at this point it will be too late to really pick up anything due to lack of time drilling the moves. The things you have already put the time in on will be the ones that come out in the rolls anyway so..

Good luck buddy I hope you kick some butt!!!!!

[James Fazzolari]

Having a plan, starting from stand up. Know what positions you want to transition into, from where, and how. Practice a few key submissions.

For example, I am always looking for a single leg starting, then pass guard if I need to, moving to on top of them turtling or North-South. For submissions, I always use the armbar, triangle and omoplata, then the front chokes series. From the bottom, I have a bunch of different sweeps, or if needed, I will revert to the basic path.

So there you go, my whole game is like 10 things that I will just constantly try to improve on for competition.

[Dominick Dealy]

thanks you all.

[Jim Jefferson]

Good luck man and like James F. said work on stand up because a lot of times we roll from our knees when drilling and it's a different game when the ref says "do it!"

[James Fazzolari]

My game has been mostly stand-up for months. Not a lot of other wrestlers in these parts - starting up by 2 each match is pretty sweet