Should I Compete in BJJ? Part 2: Considerations Before Signing Up for a Tournament
Continued from part 1, available here.
For many BJJ students, jiu jitsu competition is a motivating and rewarding experience and acts as a major catalyst for technical development (check out Part I of this post for more on the benefits of competing). To ensure a positive competition experience, we encourage our students at Oregon Grappling Arts to approach the initial decision to compete thoughtfully. Prospective BJJ competitors should consider the following points in deciding whether competition is right for them.
Competition requires a deeper commitment to your jiu jitsu training. Because of competition nerves, the adrenaline rush, and the pressure of the spectator-filled competition setting, your jiu jitsu tournament matches will be more physically and mentally demanding than any of your rounds in the training room. Failure to train properly will result in rapid onset of fatigue and unsatisfactory performance in your matches. What constitutes adequate BJJ competition preparation necessitates a separate post, but in general, it means that you’re able to train regularly and consistently throughout each week for at least several months prior to the event, and that you’re able to train at a higher intensity with minimal to no breaks during those training sessions. If you’re only able to make it to jiu jitsu class here and there, wait to compete until you have the time to commit to your competition preparation.
Some students don’t have a competitive drive, and that’s perfectly fine. People choose to practice jiu jitsu for a variety of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with competition. If you started BJJ to get in better shape, or become part of a community, or simply because it’s fun, there’s no need to compete unless it’s something you truly want to do. Competing certainly enhances the jiu jitsu experience for some students, but it comes at the cost of committing to a more focused and intense training routine and subjecting yourself to the mental and physical demands discussed below. Some students find that being in competition preparation mode negatively affects their ability to enjoy jiu jitsu. While we do everything we can at OGA to support our competitors, we also recognize the immense value of doing jiu jitsu solely for recreational purposes.
Competing in BJJ is physically and mentally stressful for many students. Almost everyone experiences competition nerves before a jiu jitsu tournament, but the anxiety, both leading up to the tournament and on the day of the event, can be particularly overwhelming for some students. Proper competition preparation takes a physical toll as well. Because of the higher training intensity, competitors experience more wear and tear on their bodies as well as higher levels of fatigue. As jiu jitsu is a weight class sport, many competitors must also lose weight or maintain a certain weight for competition. While the demands of BJJ competition certainly help some people cultivate mental fortitude and improve their physical conditioning, it’s not for everyone. If you have work or family obligations in your life, the added physical and mental strain of competing in jiu jitsu may not be worthwhile for you.
BJJ competition comes with logistical considerations. Firstly, competitions can be expensive. For grapplers in the Portland area, nearly all of the bigger jiu jitsu tournaments require out-of-state-travel. Expenses add up quickly with tournament entry fees, lodging and transportation, and food costs. Even for local events, competitors should expect to pay around $70 to participate in one division. Students who participate in single-elimination events, such as IBJJF events, and lose in the first round may travel and spend a considerable amount to get a single match. Perhaps the worst part of jiu jitsu competition is sitting around all day at the tournament venue. A competitor doing both gi and no gi divisions could expect to be at the tournament venue first thing in the morning through early evening in some cases. While none of these logistical factors should be a deterrent for a student who truly wants to compete, they’re worth taking into account.
If you’re unsure about jiu jitsu competition, your coaches at OGA can help you determine if you’re ready to compete, choose a BJJ tournament, and develop a timeline and training plan to ensure that you’re as prepared as possible for your event.
-OGA Staff
If you are a grappler who is interested in training for competition in the Portland, OR area, there is no better gym to suit your needs than Oregon Grappling Arts led by Hannah Sharp and Eddie Jamrog.
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