| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) tournaments are great for | | | | you mentally. If you can get your mind through a |
| assessing your BJJ skills and strategies without | | | | tough cardio session, you can easily get through |
| getting into street fights on a regular basis. You | | | | the typical 3-5 matches you will have during a |
| can train 5-7 days a week in your martial arts | | | | competition. Never rely on strength in Jiu Jitsu, |
| academy and learn some serious skills, but unless | | | | because if you do you are losing site of the true |
| you test those skills against opponents that you | | | | application. |
| are not used to (not your teammates) you will | | | | Basic class instruction is probably the most |
| have no way of knowing how you will truly react | | | | important of the four, because if you don't know |
| during a live situation. Although Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | | | | basic Jiu Jitsu then you will probably have a hard |
| tournaments are not violent situations, such as a | | | | time competing against anyone who does. Attend |
| street fights or self defense situations, BJJ | | | | class regularly and become a sponge. Ask |
| tournaments can help you to practice controlling | | | | questions and take some private lessons if you |
| your anxiety and adrenaline during a "real" fight. | | | | are having trouble with certain positions or moves. |
| To prepare for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament you | | | | Jiu Jitsu is like a complicated 10,000 piece puzzle, |
| must not only rely on your routine class sessions, | | | | putting all the pieces together is not easy, but it |
| but also begin a competition regiment. This | | | | can be done with patience and understanding. |
| includes proper nutrition, strength and conditioning | | | | Your class instruction is the foundation to the |
| work, basic class instruction and "tournament | | | | preparation of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament. Find |
| training". These are the building blocks to become | | | | a school that has a reputation for building |
| a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion. | | | | successful Jiu Jitsu competitors and learn what |
| Proper nutrition is an entire subject within it self. | | | | you can from everyone there. If you want to |
| There are plenty of books and magazines that | | | | expand your knowledge beyond the class room |
| can help guide you to a healthy diet, but | | | | build a library of instructional books and DVD's or |
| remember that your diet is literally what you eat, | | | | better yet attend some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
| not a temporary fix to a permanent lifestyle. Use | | | | Seminars. |
| common sense here and follow a qualified | | | | Tournament training is how you put the all the |
| nutritionist's advice. Let your nutritionist know | | | | above pieces together. Most successful athletes |
| what your goal is and follow through until you | | | | will tell you that competition training is the hardest |
| reach your goal and then keep it maintained or | | | | part, because if you train for 4-8 weeks before a |
| design a new goal. You are what you eat and if | | | | tournament, the one or two day grappling |
| you eat poorly you will compete poorly if you | | | | tournament is nothing in comparison. Think of this |
| stick to a great diet you will most likely feel great | | | | as the pre-exam and if you can get through the |
| when you compete. Proper hydration is very | | | | tournament training you should be in shape to do |
| important, especially to athletes. | | | | extremely well in the tournament. Tournament |
| The amount of fluids you should intake varies | | | | training should combine your Jiu-Jitsu skills with |
| depending on the individual, but a good guideline is | | | | your strength and conditioning and your |
| to measure yourself before your workout and | | | | competition state of mind and if you are not |
| again after your workout to determine the | | | | eating healthy, which includes hydrating properly |
| amount of fluid loss and then make sure you are | | | | then you will suffer the consequences of injuries |
| replenishing that amount throughout the day. One | | | | and chronic exhaustion. Tournament training is |
| pound is approximately 24 ounces of fluid. Be sure | | | | where you will mix in drills, stand up work (Judo |
| and not drink too much too fast as it is | | | | Wrestling) and mock or practice tournaments with |
| recommended to limit your intake to 1 cup of | | | | your teammates. This time is best scheduled |
| water about every twenty minutes. | | | | immediately following a regular class session. |
| Strength and conditioning is more important for | | | | Preparation for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament, |
| your mind than anything else. Running, biking, | | | | especially a large tournament can be a daunting |
| cross-fit or Gym Jones type of work outs will | | | | task, but have fun with it, soak in the knowledge |
| make you look and feel great, but honestly in my | | | | and you will find yourself with your hand raised |
| opinion they don't help your "grappling" strength | | | | and standing on the podium. Healthy eating and |
| cardio much, at least not for an art that uses | | | | proper hydration, cardio work, basic class |
| technique over strength. Only countless consistent | | | | instruction and tournament training are the puzzle |
| mat time can help your ground strength and | | | | pieces to prepare yourself for victory at your |
| cardio, but what running, biking and the cross-fit | | | | next Jiu Jitsu Competition. Good luck! |
| and Gym Jones workouts do for you is prepare | | | | |