So you want to compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but don’t know where to start? We’re here at Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah to help you with your BJJ competition goals! On our mats, you’ll find world champion Lyndsie Hauck and world medalists like Thomas Rinkavage. Competing and winning is a part of our culture here at Absolute MMA. Before we share proven competition preparation tips, let’s cover what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is.
What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a self-defense system for hand-to-hand combat with a high emphasis on groundfighting. This Martial Art gives helps people survive and neutralize a bigger, stronger opponent. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is practiced by many people around the world for the different benefits that come from learning the art such as improving their self-defense skills and overall health.
We teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu here at Absolute MMA under the guidance of Professor Rob Handley. Our focus is on helping you achieve your goals whether that be to compete or simply to learn a new skill. Since we’ve touched on what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is, here are 10 tips that will help you prepare for BJJ competition.
10 tips that will help you be ready for BJJ competition
Now that you have a better understanding of what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is, let’s cover 10 tips you can greatly benefit from. It’s up to you to apply what’s on this list to help you have a positive experience on the mat.
- Attend class: It’s tough to increase your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu knowledge when you don’t attend class. From warmups to drilling techniques, you will gain a better understanding of how to move your body and improve your skillset. Our BJJ classes here at Absolute will cover different topics such as mount escapes, guard passes, and shoulder locks.
- Roll during open mat: Open mat or live sparring is your time to apply your skills against someone who is resisting. This is a great opportunity to assess your progress and have a better understanding of what you need to work on before your tournament. It’s in your best interest to roll every round.
- Don’t skip conditioning: Conditioning will provide multiple benefits for you. Some of those benefits include more endurance, injury prevention, and better mental clarity. As your endurance increases, the easier it’ll be to focus on your technique since you’re not stressed about simply keeping up with your training partners. Your conditioning program can include a combination of cardio (i.e. running, swimming), strength training, and stretching to help you receive the benefits above.
- Eat nutritious food: Food is fuel. With the right food in your body, you’ll have the energy you need to perform. You’ll also be able to keep your body healthy when you take in healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. It’s also important that you eat foods with protein to assist in building muscle and preventing illnesses.
- Hydrate: Proper hydration helps you avoid injuries and issues such as cramps. Drinking enough water will help you feel great. Your body needs water to do everything from transporting nutrients to getting rid of waste. If you need to, set alarms in your phone throughout the day to remind you to hydrate!
- Invest in your recovery: Placing an emphasis on recovery will keep you healthy, happy, and feeling strong. Whether it’s massage therapy, physical therapy, or developing a stretching routine, invest in your recovery. These are all great ways to keep your joints strong and mobile. You’ll also be able to improve your circulation and be aware of any injuries you may need to take care of.
- Make sleep a priority: There are myriad of benefits you receive by sticking to a consistent sleep schedule. These benefits include helping you maintain a healthy weight, better problem solving skils, and reduced stress. You will also be able to bounce back from tough training sessions at a quicker pace.
- Ask for help: At any class here at Absolute MMA, you’ll find yourself training with other students who have BJJ competition experience. Their experience will range from local BJJ tournaments to international competition experience. You will also have access to experienced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu professors who each have more than a decade of experience they will share with you as you train. Don’t hesitate to ask questions! It’ll help you progress at a faster pace.
- Take notes after class: One of the best ways to prevent mental blocks is to take notes after class. Notetaking will help you will track your progress. You will be able to document which aspects of your game need improvement and your current strengths. Plan for 5-10 minutes after every class to take notes and you’ll stay on track with your goals.
- Have fun!: Don’t be too uptight about your chance to compete! It’s your chance to have fun and show off what you’re working on. BJJ competitions are a fun way to work together as a team and create new memories. Remember that your Absolute MMA family is always in your corner!
Now that you’ve read all of the tips above, go train! You can’t expect to get the results you want without putting in the work so get after it. Putting in the work will give you more confidence as you enter the arena to compete since you know that you’ve done your best to prepare. We’re here to support you in your journey every step up of the way.
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We’ve got your back whether you’re interested in training at Absolute MMA to improve your health or become a professional fighter. All of our classes have people of different levels of experience and abilities training side by side to learn from each other. You don’t need any prior Martial Arts experience to try out the various classes we offer here. You can try us out to see if we’re a great fit for you and your goals. Begin your free one-week trial today by visiting this link: https://absolutemma.com/free-trial/
