5 Areas of Focus for Competitors
Purple belt Shimon Kafka brought the team up to compete at the Diamond State in Delaware. He won his Advanced No Gi division and lost a close decision after a scoreless draw with the eventual winner of the Absolute Division. Here he describes what he focuses on based on his experience through the years a competitor.
Saturday June 19th, Josh, Rob, Eric and I ventured to Delaware to partake in the US Grappling Diamond State Games. The event was well run and we had very exciting matches. Here 5 areas that I focus on in my preparation:
1. Training Comes First. The team and I discussed all the DVD’s, seminars, and books you can buy and agreed it was extremely rare you find yourself in a “move” that you have never seen before in a tournament situation. We also agreed that after losing a match nearly everyone felt the same. We all wished we trained and/or drilled harder in positions and improved our cardio. I think the lesson here is instead of sitting inside watching YouTube hype videos on how to be great in six seconds with secret BJJ methods, or thinking about what could happen in the tournament, you should simply GO TRAIN! I am always at my best when I have been training the most.
2. The Correct Mind Set. I can only speak from my experience here, but I notice when I get caught up days or even weeks before a tournament worrying about weight, who will be in my bracket, or how people in the school will feel if I lose, then my performance at the tournament falls short. When I think of the tournament as just a small part of a giant thread that is my BJJ journey and not the end or pinnacle of that journey and remember how much fun it is, how happy and lucky I am just to be rolling instead of sick or injured and unable to participate, it helps me relax and just enjoy the moment. I also noticed joking around with friends about anything but BJJ, and not looking around trying to figure out who you are going to fight loosens you up. Do not worry about any “moves” you can learn on the fly. Everything you will need is muscle memory. I also make sure to be polite and even crack jokes with the referee and my opponent, and introduce myself to my opponent when I walk on the mat and shake his hand. Remember, the ref may have to make a decision in a tied match and it might just go your way if you play it cool. Don’t sit in the corner for four hours by yourself with the “I’m going to kill this guy” mind set. Acting way too serious is an adrenaline dump for me. I like to keep it loose because it keeps me in the game longer.
3. Building Experience. I have noticed with myself as well as I think every other person who competes regularly, you develop a calm before you compete and while competing. I think this is only obtained through regular, consistent competition. I have noticed when I have not competed for long periods of time (6 months), I feel rusty on the mat. I notice that top level competitors (for example Ryan Hall) participate at almost every competition I go to. You must compete as much as you can. If getting to competitions is not possible then try to venture to other schools to get a change of pace and new bodies to roll with and test your game there.
4. Manageable Weight Cutting: I feel if your BJJ is technically correct, you should be fine at the weight you walk around at. A very large weight cut can be detrimental, especially if you weigh in on the same day as the tournament. Personally, I have cut weight before tournaments and have found having the weight advantage helpful but does not dictate the loser and winner of the match. I think this can also go to The Correct Mind Set. If you focus too much on not eating and water deprivation your thoughts will always go back to the impending competition. You need to give yourself a chance to relax.
5. Coming back from a loss: I still struggle with this. In almost every tournament you will have more than one match. A loss in my first match has usually been the kiss of death. I personally have found it difficult to spring back from this situation. I think this goes to mental toughness and training. I recently read a book The New Toughness Training For Sports which talked about great athletes having this sort of middle ground attitude that they never waver from, no matter how intense or insignificant that particular moment, they stay in the middle ground. It’s a hard place to find and stay in, but it can help you get back on track when things don’t go your way.
-Shimon Kafka