Question: “Viewer question you guys maybe can write an article about or have written that I haven’t seen yet.
How to transition from competing as a teen and then turning 18 and competing as an adult.
Maybe some tips ideas and stuff that helped some people.
Something that has been frustrating me lately in my jiu jitsu journey. The transition is tough for me”
Jiu-jitsu Times: I think the Jiu-jitsu Times readers will chime in with their helpful advice on competing in the adult division.
A few obvious things come to mind:
1) Rule changes may be different depending on the specific rules of the competition that you are entering.
Make sure that you are prepared to recognize and defend possible new techniques.
2) Physical strength will be a bigger factor now that you are competing against fully developed adults.
Starting a specific strength training program is one of the best things you can do to supplement your bjj training.
3) There may be a greater variance in the skill level at white and blue belt than you are accustomed to.
There might be 5 year blue belts in your bracket.
I recently spoke with Gracie Barra’s Professor Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães who has run the competition training camps for Gracie Barra.
Question: “A common question many beginner students have about competition is feeling very nervous before the tournament.
What advice do you have to help with pre competition stress?”
Professor Draculino: “It is very common for beginners. I would say no matter what, that they are going to be nervous in any combat sport, competition will bring the butterflies.
It happens to all of us. Even after all of these years I still have it before competitions.
It is normal.
It is something that some people are addicted to, to be honest.
It is something that is always going to happen but you have to control it.
After all of these years I have found out that it is inevitable that you will feel that.
It is very rare to see somebody going there without any kind of nervousness or being anxious. They always going to be.
I think that it is better to try to take your mind off of the task in times that you don’t need to be 100% focused.
You don’t need to be thinking about this thing 24 / 7 because then it drains you.
Try to get something that brings you pleasure and takes your attention out of the mission.
Then at the time of the competition, at the time that you make weight, the time of the warm up then you focus 100%.
I think that a lack of focus is as bad as too much focus!
I try to watch a movie, have some friends that laugh, play video games or just play with my dogs.
Something to take my mind off of the task.”
~ Gracie Barra Blog
Hope these words from a top bjj coach help you.
I imagine that your own bjj instructor would say something like “Just keep training and improve your jiu-jitsu!”
What advice do Jiu-jitsu Times Readers have for this new competitor to the adult division?
So Now I Got My Blue Belt,…Now What??
