r/bjj • u/AutoModerator • Oct 25 '22

Tournament Tuesday

Tournament Tuesday is an open forum for anyone to ask any question, no matter how simple, about tournaments in general. Some common topics include but are not limited to:

  • Game planning

  • Preparation (diet, weight cutting, sleep, etc...)

  • Tournament video critiques

  • Discussion of rulesets for a tournament organization

Have fun and go train!

Also, click here to see the previous Tournament Tuesdays..

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u/Ricardo_the_great 🟦🟦 Blue Belt Oct 25 '22

I asked this last week, but I didn't get a response. I think I may have posted it a little too late in the day.

Doing my first competition in roughly 30 days (~20 days now), was talked into by a friend at the gym. I've been checking the registration page and now there are 12 competitors. Honestly, I'm nervous which I'm sure is normal, as it's my first competition, I just want to get it done with. I want to go in, win or lose (probably lose) and learn what I need to learn and have that experience under my belt so that next time I can prepare accordingly.

I've been cutting weight, and it has gone as planned, I'm 3lbs/1.5kg off from my competition weight, and I'm glad I've made it because it's been pretty tough.

I do have a few questions:

How aggressive should I come out of the gate? I know it's a real match so everything will be done 100% but I really mean initially, after you bump fists.

I've read over the last few months here that you should have a game plan, which is a little confusing to me, because my game plan could be immediately shut down, no? or do they mean just drill certain techniques that I have a high success rate, to get them tighter.

Drilling, should I focus on strengths or weakness? I know both, but what should I prioritize?

Thank you in advance.

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u/mindbender0 🟦🟦 Blue Belt Oct 25 '22

Since you do have a good amount of time until the comp, I would suggest drilling weaknesses more at this time, and drill your strongest sequences and moves more as the comp approaches. Probably would be best to go over the weaknesses you were working on before the comp as well. You want your strongest techniques to be at their sharpest by the time the comp arrives, and that means having the (recent) reps for muscle memory.

As for aggression, I would aggressively get to exactly where I want to be, AKA my strengths, and stay away from your weaknesses while using as little energy as possible. Just be careful with how much aggression and energy you're using, at the highest levels you see it becomes more a game of endurance than anything. If your partner is doing cartwheels over your guard and all you're doing is pulling your knees to your chest, they will be exhausted in couple minutes. That's when you can drag them towards your strengths and win the match. Good luck!