If You don't compete you're a pussy

[Tori Applegate]

I agree, BUT as long as you're not 100 years old I think you should try it once, at least. It's a game changer. We are a super competitive school. Competing helps all of us learn faster and take ourselves and our teammates to that next level..always on the grind, always pushing each other to be better and prepare for the best. I hate the anxiety of competing, but something about it is..pure, special.. It can only make you better. If you don't like it after that, try it again later. Sometimes your JJ tastebuds change, so to speak. Goals..change. I never had any intention of taking JJ serious or competing. Now I'm polar opposite. I want to smash. I love it!!

[Ruben Rivera]

We are all about competing at 10th Planet Santa Fe. Sure competing isn't for everyone but as a coach I'm still going to encourage you to compete. It brings the best out in people. I know it has for me. Learning to perform under pressure and fear has made me better at everything in life. Working in in the film industry doing stunts you often have to perform in front of dozens of people who are counting on you. Without all growth I've accumulated from jits and MMA I don't know that I could do the jobs I do now. I tell all my students that competing is the quickest way to move up the ranks. Maybe I'm mistaken in my way of thinking but I can only speak from my experience. Jiu Jitsu has made me everything I am today.

[ml82]

i think competition can only help someone out, even if they lose. after my first competition, i reviewed my matches over and over again to see what i could've done differently, or where my technique was sloppy. i've since fixed those mistakes.

although, someone made a point earlier that it might discourage someone from coming back to class if they keep losing... but that's the thing, if your ego is too big to handle a loss, then learning ANY martial art might not be for you.

i've got a classmate that's entered two competitions and lost both, but he's not discouraged, he keeps coming, and keeps improving. that says a lot about his character.

but yeah, competing for sure pushes you to the next level, whereas in class, you or your classmate might tap a bit pre-maturely.

[ml82]

i think competition can only help someone out, even if they lose. after my first competition, i reviewed my matches over and over again to see what i could've done differently, or where my technique was sloppy. i've since fixed those mistakes.

although, someone made a point earlier that it might discourage someone from coming back to class if they keep losing... but that's the thing, if your ego is too big to handle a loss, then learning ANY martial art might not be for you.

i've got a classmate that's entered two competitions and lost both, but he's not discouraged, he keeps coming, and keeps improving. that says a lot about his character.

but yeah, competing for sure pushes you to the next level, whereas in class, you or your classmate might tap a bit pre-maturely.

[JHouse]

I don't think comp is necessary. It is a great way to go out and meet new people and see what's new as far as techniques go. I've seen high level schools having 2 paths for students, when belts are the question- the competitor belt path and the "I'm a 40 hour work week, full grown man, I can't lose enough weight to get into my division, my family needs me healthy" belt path.

The competitor belt path takes a lot is going to take a lot to prove you are worthy of the belt. I'm a 40 hour work week, full grown man, I can't lose enough weight to get into my division, my family needs me healthy person, but I want to compete not at senior level, but adult division, because that's just my nature. I'm a gangster.

Damn Rick, you are Slick.

[David Rosado]

Thank for this thread Alder. Reading everyone's perspective was really helpful. I see that competition isn't essential, but the benefits are pretty awesome from what I read.

Agree 100%

I do think, however, that there are certain things that you can only learn through competing and losing. Winning is easy. Losing is hard.

Good point.

For me with 4 kids I have to choose wisely where I compete because an $85 entry fee is generally 2 pairs of shoes. So I have to ask myself whats more important my kids feet or a medal I'm gonna lose in a week.

Also a good point.


Lots of good points in this thread. But I'm sold on the benefits of competition. While I'm not going to be going to every single comp out there, I definitely want to compete at least once this year.

[Brian Tupper]

When I got into cycling several years ago I read a book about cycling, and there was a whole section on racing (competition). The author told this story about a friend of his who rode all the time, and was fast…like, really fast. This guy would not sign up for any races though, and told people that he wasn’t into competition and wasn’t a competitive guy by nature..
The author argued however that this dude was lying, not only to his cycling friends, but to himself. He explained that this guys was obsessed with his ride times, timing everything from his 50+ miles rides on the weekends to his 1 mile ride home from work. In essence, the guy was very competitive and always testing himself against some previous benchmark, and was basically competing against himself. The author further contended that this p[articular guy would have most certainly gained something from competing, even if it was only once…there is a lot to be learned there…and who knows…he might have even won.
How many jiu iitsu players are this same way? They may not compete in official competition, but I’ll bet most are competing against something…they certainly aren’t just turtling up and letting people take their back for an hour and half every class, so they just about have to have some competitive nature about them. I agree that these folks shouldn’t be forced or bullied into official competition, but some encouragement to compete is probably worthwhile. Maybe a good way to get these folks motivated to compete is to have some in-house tourneys regularly…regularly enough that it becomes the norm and doesn’t seem so daunting….stops being a “thing” and is just a normal, regular part of the process.
On the idea of promoting based on competition, I agree that this shouldn’t be a deal breaker on promotions. Some people have some legit reasons for not wanting to ramp up the intensity to full-on competition level (nagging injuries for example).
Just my 2 cents 

[FRANK BARCA]

Agreed, but like Eddie said, if self preservation is important to you, then its crucial.

Nasty title right? I don't believe that at all, but I've heard it many times before. I'm wondering how many people feel like the HAVE to compete in Jiu Jitsu. We have a decent group of competitors at VN, but we also have a groups of people that don't compete at all. I used to promote competition to everybody, but now I've changed that philosophy. I now only promote competition to people who actively seek it out. I find less discouraged students that way. We have had a lot of guys compete, then never show up again, or very shortly after would burn out. I find jiu jitsu is for everybody, but competing isn't necessarily for everybody.

Agree or disagree?

[Fabian M]

Agreed. I use to think u should have to compete but not any more. Jiu jitsu is for errbody but competition isn't. U should want to compete n train,, not feel pressured too. However I think competing makes u better faster because yur forced to look at yur game n evaluate yur strategy accordingly.

[lilasmadja]

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)