First Tounament advice?

[Jacob Kelly]

NAGA Chicago is coming up April 30. I think I'm going to compete there in the masters novice and the adult novice. I've never done a tourney. What should I expect? At 5'6" and 185lbs am I going to have trouble because I weigh too much for a short as I am? I'm in pretty good shape and can move fairly good but because of lifting weights all the time I'm pretty heavy for my height. I'm worried that's going to be a problem. What kind of skillset does a novice have? I'm not sure I've ever rolled with a "novice" seems like everybody I roll with are blue to brown belts or guys with over 5 years grappling experience. I never had a newbie to train with too much really. I just kinda jumped into the wolf pit and either had to learn hard and fast or get crushed all the time. (I still get crushed most of the time...cough cough... Gary Meek ) Is it dumb for me to even ask??

I just competed in my first tournament too. It is normal to feel a little worried about getting crushed. I finished 2nd last and only won 1 match. But the best thing about competing for real is that you will learn what skills you need to work on so it's a good measuring stick for your abilities. Don't be afraid to tap and also don't be afraid to try things. Hope my lack of experience still was able to help you just a bit. And GOODLUCK!!!

[Aiden]

My first tournament was a disaster, sounds like you did better than me. lol Kept training and learning.

[Zac Wilson]

My first two matches were dogshit. I blew it. It was like I forgot half my moves. By the third one I was calmed down enough to play the game a little. I wish I could have done warm up rolls before my matches. I just went in there cold.

[Aiden]

My first tournament I got a bye so I went straight to the second round, I jumped guard and quickly got arm bared and was out of the tournament haha that was like ten years ago. Jiu Jitsu is a journey, you keep learning every step of the way.

[Zac Wilson]

My first tournament I got a bye so I went straight to the second round, I jumped guard and quickly got arm bared and was out of the tournament haha that was like ten years ago. Jiu Jitsu is a journey, you keep learning every step of the way.

I was trying to stay calm and play, like in practice. I guess I wasn't ready for my opponents to be so psycho and it took me by surprise. They pretty much got on top of me and rode me out for points. My mind kinda went blank with a dude laying on top of me clamped onto me not moving. it was like I forgot all sweeps. lol. I don't mind playing bottom but playing bottom didn't do me any good until I could slow my mind down and think. my advice to any first timers, from my experience, just got out there like a spaz, because that's what the other guy is going to do. your body might not be spazzing out but your mind will be. just rush him and take him down and start thinking after that. lol. that's just how it felt to me. next time will be different.

[Zac Wilson]

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that one dude was like 6'5". I'm only 5'6". LOL

[Josh Yelverton]

Just have fun man! Enjoy yourself!

[Josh Yelverton]

Just saw that this already happened lol. Hope everything went good and you had fun!

[Aiden]

People defiantly go psycho at tournaments, especially beginners. They fight like they are going to hell if they loose. Playing bottom is not bad that's what I like to do. If you haven't watch Eddie Bravo's twister documentary I highly recommend it. The strategy that he used back then still works very well today. Pull half guard old school or electric chair to work your way to the top.

[Karihtala]

NAGA Chicago is coming up April 30. I think I'm going to compete there in the masters novice and the adult novice. I've never done a tourney. What should I expect? At 5'6" and 185lbs am I going to have trouble because I weigh too much for a short as I am? I'm in pretty good shape and can move fairly good but because of lifting weights all the time I'm pretty heavy for my height. I'm worried that's going to be a problem. What kind of skillset does a novice have? I'm not sure I've ever rolled with a "novice" seems like everybody I roll with are blue to brown belts or guys with over 5 years grappling experience. I never had a newbie to train with too much really. I just kinda jumped into the wolf pit and either had to learn hard and fast or get crushed all the time. (I still get crushed most of the time...cough cough... Gary Meek ) Is it dumb for me to even ask??

If possible, just do everything like it was a normal day. Don't eat anything you wouldn't in a normal day and such. Remember to warm up well, do some explosive movements like clapping pushups, deep squat jumps and hit your chest with your knees and things like that.

My first competition was 2 years ago, I was so stressed out I can't remember almost anything about the whole fight. Now after ~100 matches it starts to feel normal, and I can pull out some more complex moves because my brain functions normally in matches (like the banana split last winter).

Relax, breathe and have fun! The first tournament is a milestone in your grappling career, you should definitely cherish it!

EDIT. Goddamn you already fought...