If You don't compete you're a pussy

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Do what makes you happy....

The one thing you shouldn't do is push yourself for the wrong reasons or try to satisfy someone else's ego....

Right on. If competing stresses you out to the point that you don't enjoy training, then you should think about not competing.

When someone walks into our gym and tells me they are interested in the martial arts, my first question is always "Why?" I want to help guide them in a way that will help them meet their goals. As I learn more about the person, I may nudge them toward competition. Maybe not. This is an art, and everyone's canvas is gonna be uniquely flavored.

I also think that it is often (not always) the instructors who don't compete themselves who push their students the hardest toward competition. They have to prove their validity to the BJJ world somehow, and God knows they're not gonna put themselves out there and risk losing.

[Chris Herzog]

I agree with Alder, allthough I have a bunch of guys that compete and fight, the majority of our students do not. I encourage it, but never push it. However I do feel to get the the absolute most out of your journey the challege of competition is the best evaulation and can bring about the biggest awakenings.

[Jason Morgan]

However I do feel to get the the absolute most out of your journey the challege of competition is the best evaulation and can bring about the biggest awakenings.

Def. agree with this. Never thought I would compete when I started. Then decided to try a tourney last minute for the hell of it, did horrible, nerves killed me, clammed up like a little bitch during matches and honestly wanted to quit in the middle of them. After that I made it my mission to never feel like that again. Now I love competing. Always feel cool and calm and enjoy every minute of the battle. Sure I am glad I got that out of my system on the completion mats and not in the streets.

[jamiecoton]

its up to the person as many of you have said

where as me i have done a few little friendly local inter club grappling comps and even though i got smashed in them i found they helped me out to see where i was at and they got me a roll with different people

i did enjoy doing them but it wouldn't of mattered if i didn't

[John Mejia]

Competition to me is a test of your skills outside the gym. You see your flaws, where your weakness is, and how you should go about correcting it. You can push yourself to go 100% in the gym, but you still don't get those fucking shitty locked up arms, and the faster breathing, and the excitement of hitting a submission or a sweep and everyone going crazy. There are so many reasons why I love to compete, but there are other reasons why people don't. We poke fun at the guys that don't but its never malicious, I think that people just don't see competition for what it is, and some people are apprehensive because they don't have faith in there skills enough.

To be honest if you've never competed before, you should try and compete in a sub only tournament, because if you lose its because the guy you faced was better than you on that day, and not because he won on an advantage

[Slick Rick]

respect for all those guys who choose to compete at adults rather than masters divisions. if I ever get into the position where I'd rather choose masters than adults, I'll go ahead and stop competing. this is me personally, I'm not trying to offend anyone because of course there are beasts in the masters divisions.

Thanks Justin. Yes some killers in the masters and even executive division. I take nothing away from them. They want to compete and they want to go with individuals of similar strength, training regimen, skill or age. The fact that they are competing is awesome! I've rolled with some killers in their 40's and 50's- you may know a few of em.

For me, I choose to do the adult division at least until I feel I can't compete with em at all. My personal opinion is that it is pure, since on the mat every day, we are basically training and rolling in the adult division. I would not want to limit my sessions to only one age range.

But yes, when I truly feel I can't compete with the younger guns, I'll enter the masters division. The adult divisions, at the highest levels, these days are training 2 and 3 times a day. One day I won't be able to compete with that, but I'm not waiting til that day.

Respect to all jiu jitsu practitioners. Respect to you for even trying jiu jitsu. You are already part of the 1% of the population, or more likely the .01% of the population. Should you decide to compete, respect. Should you go for the toughest division you are able and capable of competing in at the time, ALL RESPECT TO YOU!

We are all practicing this art for a reason, and as a community our journey continues.

[Mike May]

I don't love to compete, but I live and breathe Jiu Jitsu, so I compete just to have new people to roll with. Honestly, if I was at a Moon instead of a Ronin, and had a large pool of people to roll with I wouldn't feel the need to compete at all.

[jaywatkins67]

I don't see anything wrong with competing at the age level you are. How is that less worthy? I didn't start training until I was 37. I can't match the strength and speed of a 25 year old. Unfortunately for me, I am so light, I get put in the open division anyway because there isn't anyone my size.

Matt, don't underestimate yourself. I was 43 for my first MMA fight and all of my opponents have been under 25. You can do it!! If you want. But to answer the thread question, I always encourage competing but never pressure my students. It's not for everyone but I do believe it is invaluable in testing your skills due to the fact you will roll against opponents from other gyms. Getting a different look at a variety of competitors can only improve your skills. Additionally, the comradre! It's great meeting people from all over the country and, win or lose, discussing the match afterwards and learning either, what you did wrong, or discussing with your opponent what mistake they made. I have the upmost respect for the individuals I've competed against, win or lose, and still in touch with many of them. Pussy, no, however, competing is encouraged.

[FRANK BARCA]

You're awesome Compella
Great points especially that great line proving yourself right. Man I can relate to that wisdom right there bro. Thanks a bunch

Do what makes you happy. "To compete or not to compete, that is the question, whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the sprains and dislocations of misfortune, or in a sea of troubles, take up arms against them."
I took a little liberty with The Bard's words there, but that's ok, I'm a rapper. I think the ultimate goal of martial arts is to find some sort of inner peace and harmony with yourself and the world around you, so if competition isn't helping you get there, do something that will. The one thing you shouldn't do is push yourself for the wrong reasons or try to satisfy someone else's ego. I don't live to prove anyone wrong, I live to prove myself right Aldeezy, I'm proud to call you a true friend. -Compella
(I don't remember my password so I'm on my girls account, lol)

[FRANK BARCA]

I have to add something. I compete because there will be so many years where I will not be able to. Thats just life. So I want to mix it up with all comers win lose or draw. I am not afraid of losing or failing. So I choose to test myself. Its not for everyone but it is for me. I have to admit at my weight (140) its not such a good idea to go up against 180 - 260lb brownbelts cos it can suck and I got destroyed but I don't care. My plans are always long term. I want to experience as much as possible so 'I' learn from it for ME as Compella says. Prove it to yourself, because at the end of the day, its not what anyone else thinks about you that is important, its what YOU think about YOU that is super important. Competing will always show you the way if you commit to it. But a word of caution to this tale. Be mentally prepared for the hard times as there are many. If you can survive them and you are surround by champion people to support you, like we have in this incredible organisation, then you're set to go and take backs just like you do day in and day out in your academies.