Anyone who has competed......

[Ryan]

When you competed and you finally got out on the mat.... win or lose..... what did you find was the thing you needed improvement on the most? Newcomer or veteran....

Conditioning?
Technique?
strength?
flexibility?

[Fox1s2]

Technique for me...I haven't trained my BJJ technique enough to have it flow that naturally, i still have to think about some moves, i actually caught myself doing bad technique(which i corrected) but i was still surprised that how much things change in competition vs rolling where your comfortable.

Conditioning, Strength and Flexibility are are physical aspects while Technique is mental, thats probably why my technique wasn't as sharp as it is at home.

Just my thoughts.

(I'm leaving for a local tournament in 2 hours, so lets hope i can get past what i just explained =P Ironic you start this post today? hmm...)

[Ghosted3]

Good Luck Fox, let us know how you did, hopefully as well if not better than NAGA

[Ryan]

Yes, good luck. Let me know what aspects you feel you weren't as prepared in.

[Fox1s2]

Hey guys,

Just got back from my tournament, great place...Loved the people and atmosphere there,anyways, down to business..


I actually lost my first match, single elimination, via stalling...i got a takedown into kesa, Tried to do kesagatame but he rolled into it, so i got an advantage(well tried submission) and then he side mounted, transitioned to mount, and got his hips high on my chest, put his hands out and jsut laid there for another 4 mins, winning via points 4-2 =/ o well...

So lost that match, but luckily i signed up for the absolute division =D

First match in absolute, vs one of the blue belt girls, i actually hard a really hard time with her, super flexible like BJ penn almost, sprawled a takedown, virtually heel hooking herself(matt hughes vs BJ penn style)..eventually got an armbar to finish.

Second match was quick, jumped guard on him and pulled a Pendulum sweep into Humiliation Choke, think it took 45 seconds?

Third match, very back and forth, take down after take down, he tried to jump guard and i pushed him away, but in doing so i grabbed an ankle, and layed down on it, perfectly sunk in my armpit, turned on my side and arched my back as hard as i could. This was the semi-finals btw =P

Fourth match(Finals) started out great, back n forth takedown after takedown, and he got mounted on my after one of those, not good =/....anyways, he did some kind of forearm crush from mount that i had never seen so i never defended it, it looked almost like a kimura from armbar position, all i know is it hurt like hell.....SO...i took 2nd in absolute.


Overall i still think that my nerves are getting to me, but not as much as before, in my NAGA tournament i had been a wreck, first huge tournament, my technique wasn't as crisp or clean, but at this tournament i noticed i was alot more relaxed and composed, my technique hardly suffered. i probably owe that to my coach who was at this tournament but not at NAGA with me, so having no outside guidance probably wore on me a little...

I'd say if your looking for advice, Relax and focus on technique, your conditioning,strength and Flexibility can't get any better at the tournament in the few hours your there, but your technique sure can.

My advice for doing well in a tournament.
1. Have a coach that may be able to guide you and see things you cannot.
2. Relax and focus on technique
3. Stretch in between matches. stay loose.
4. Crank alot of water....it will help you stay more energetic
5. Stare down your opponent during warm-up, and when you shake his hand before the match, really give him a good firm, strong grip, and never break eye contact, you can actually get inside people heads and make them start doubting themselves and crack under pressure, opening up mistakes for you to capitalize on.


*phew*
"My 2 cents" - Ari Bolden :)

[Ghosted3]

Good job! And thanks for the pointers. My coach will not be able to make it to my first tourney either, he will be at the worlds no gi class. Luckily I will have around 8 team mates who are going too so hopefully we can have someone looking after each other alot. Nerves is my biggest fear at the moment. Thanks again for the tips and grats on 2nd in absolute!

[OutwardRooted]

Conditioning - A few weeks ago, I had a four hour brown belt test, and only got tired towards the end. Not non-stop, but still. So, as far as conditioning goes, I'm fine.
Technique - I'd like to say I'm above average tecnhique wise. A lot of the guys in my dojo like rolling with me because I help them work through their stuff, and can get all sorts of different angles on stuff. And since I've been doing this for about eight years, I basically know what I'm doing.
Flexibility - They call me the Rubber Fish.
Strength - That is where my problem lies. I'm 150-ish pounds and 5'9", so I'm a little guy, and everyone else here is 190lbs+, so I get over-powered a lot. Lower body, I'm fine. At one point, when I was actually trying to get buff, I'd go to the Y, and max out the leg press machine, which was around 300lbs, I think. I can throw all the guys here. But as far as, like, arm strength...not so much. I have to really work at arm bars sometimes if I don't suprise them with it. If I had the money, I'd join some work out program or whatever, but I'm broke all the time, so I just get used to being frustrated.