Staying calm in a competition

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ITRDC5

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Morning/Evening guys :icon_lol:


I have just started some comp training with my club for my first ever competition- it's no gi.


I'm a white belt of around 1.2 years and in regular training I think I'm doing not bad .

We just started comp training and jesus, it's different eh? We have one on one matches with coaches at the side giving advice. It's more intense and faster paced, I found most gripping for dear life onto positions like side control and mount, not thinking about submissions and using much more strength.

A guy who usually beats me in a training lost to me and I guy I usually beat, beat me on points.


I guess what I'm trying to ask is- do you have any advice on staying calm- given the external stimuli and pressure?


cheers
 
Its natural to feel nervous. I've never competed in a BJJ comp, but have fought in both Kickboxing and MMA, and I got nervous every time, I'd even throw up before some fights. Its always easier said then done, but try remain calm, if you're tight, you could get yourself injured, plus if you watch any top level BJJ fighters, they seem so relaxed, everything they do just flows.

I think once the match starts, all those nerve will fly out the window, you'll almost switch off completely to anything else happening around you.
I think you'll enjoy it, its normal to feel nervous, you're only human. Enjoy it, good luck.
 
Everyone gets nervous and normally quite badly in their first comp. Full on adrenaline dump. The only way to avoid it is to keep competing until you're used to it.
 
My first match ever. I was up 12-0 then came a full on adrenaline dump and my body stopped responding to my brain's commands. I've never felt that level of exhaustion in my entire life. Ended up losing 13-12. It was a great experience and I learned a lot. Won gold at Pride a couple months later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aOPJiHE2EY

Yes it's a pretty crappy display of grappling, but we all have to start somewhere:)
 
The best thing that you can do to feel calm and control your adrenaline, is try to enjoy yourself. Life can be dull for many people and you are privileged enough to be participating in a combat sport competition. Enjoy it, like you are living inside a movie. Whats the worst that can happen? You are the man LOL :)
 
Here's a simple trick some guys use before going into combat from LtCol Dave Grossman:
Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds, hold for four seconds. It's simple, easy and does help calm the nerves and increase focus.

I've done a grand sum total of one BJJ tournament and wish I had focused even more on my first round. I did enjoy the whole experience a lot more than I thought I would though. have fun!
 
I will be writing an article on this very subject and posting it on my page tomorrow.
 
Breathe.


Just focus on the breath. Slow, even, deep.
 
Relax, do things that make you feel comfortable, like familiar stretches or warm up routine, music that you like and gets you into "the zone", stay in the moment and don't overly anticipate or linger
 
i cant help you, ive competed once and i completely shit myself. didnt sleep the night before. The fight before mine, someone got caught in a standing guillotine, went out and dropped to the floor like in the jones/machida fight.
 
The more you compete, the less nervous you get about it. In the future, you'll probably still be nervous, but will learn to deal with the nervous energy in a better manner.

A while back, we had a BB world champion in our gym for a week of classes. During the Q&A period, somebody asked him this exact question - how they prevent themselves from being nervous before the tournament. His answer?

"I still get nervous."

That, from a 3x bb world champ. He suggested a lot of the things that people are suggesting in this thread - just trying to relax, watching the other matches, and talking to people you know. Do a warmup if that's something you like to do. But yeah, don't expect to ever be 100% calm before your matches, just put that energy towards something else.
 
I would forget about not getting nervous.

I would focus on staying relaxed when you're competing. I've only competed twice, but both times I held on for dear life in each of my fights, and gassed myself out quickly.

Relax, and let it flow like in the gym.
 
mr violent said:
The more you compete, the less nervous you get about it. In the future, you'll probably still be nervous, but will learn to deal with the nervous energy in a better manner.

A while back, we had a BB world champion in our gym for a week of classes. During the Q&A period, somebody asked him this exact question - how they prevent themselves from being nervous before the tournament. His answer?

"I still get nervous."

That, from a 3x bb world champ. He suggested a lot of the things that people are suggesting in this thread - just trying to relax, watching the other matches, and talking to people you know. Do a warmup if that's something you like to do. But yeah, don't expect to ever be 100% calm before your matches, just put that energy towards something else.
Click to expand...

I think the nerves are based on the importance and chances of winning. When I rock up to my local regional comp in shape and on weight I don't feel particularly nervous because I know there's a chance of a gold on the day. When I go to a much bigger tournament I get nervous because I know my division contains a bunch of killers that only come out for big events and know I'm going have to fight a hell of a lot harder.
 
I'd add that a lot nerves come from fear of losing or worse, completely wetting the bed in front of your coach and teammates. Trust that your team will be there for you win or lose.

Remember that competition is another learning platform. There is something to be learned about your game and your character whether you win or lose. However, the learning opportunities are usually greater with your losses. :)
 
Think about what it is you are really risking here.

A loss in your first BJJ comp. Is that really so bad?

50% of competitors lose in every match, it being your first match you are expected to lose so anything else is an upgrade on expectations. Think about how cool it would be to win it and most importantly allow yourself to win.

Good luck.

Assuming you don't oil check anyone your coach will be proud you competed.
 
1) Pick the toughest SOB's (highest belts) in your class and roll with them exclusively. No more rolling with your white belt buddies unless you're having a war with them. Fight your ass off to win and don't quit. If you start succeeding with them, you'll have no problem beating your fellow white belts. After the tourney, you can ease off.

2) Have a gameplan!!! Be ready for anything, but have a goal for every match. i.e.; Always working for top position, get position points before attacking, etc. Play it over and over in your head at night before you go to bed. "I am not going to give up top position. If they try to sweep me, I won't quit defending the sweep for any reason. When I pass or sweep or take the back, I won't dive to attack something until after I've gotten my points."

I almost always play a guard game in the gym, but in comps, I do my best not to end up on my back at all. I usually don't have any problems if I end up there, but I would rather keep them on the defensive.

Stuff like that helps me... along with a little dose of "who the fuck do these guys think they are even stepping onto the mat with me".

I get super nervous, but having a game plan and involving my pride into it a little bit helps give me a little more fight when I need it.
 
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