Professor Richard Gonçalves teaches eight lessons for your first competition. Photo: Priscilla Garay

You haven’t competed yet, but would like to have this unique experience, brave reader? Then check out the advice from Professor Richard Gonçalves, our GMI at the Live Well Martial Arts school, based in Sydney, Australia. 

Professor Richard shared with GRACIEMAG.com the main tips he wishes he had listened to before venturing into the championships for the first time. Check it below:

1. Know the rules

Study the rules and play the game. Sometimes you lose fights early in your career because you don’t understand the rules. Sometimes you are doing well in the fight, but you are behind in the score. So, try to study and understand the rules.

2. Train often

Prepare yourself mentally. Just Jiu-Jitsu training will provide that mental comfort. It won’t just be the amount of weight you lift in the gym that will make you ready to compete, it will be consistency in the rolls.

3. Fight

There is only one way to gain experience in championships: just competing will get you used to the nervousness and get used to the atmosphere of the competitions. So be prepared and sign up for tournaments. The more tournament experience you get, the less pressure you will feel in that unique atmosphere.

4. Prepare your body and mind

Work on your emotions, practices such as yoga and meditation help to keep your breathing up to date. Breath control is something that always needs to be improved.

5. Focus on you

Competition is not just about the winner. The most important thing is to test yourself and overcome your own limits. Don’t focus on the opponent, notice your evolution with each fight, with each championship. 

6. Conquer your fears

Don’t think that your opponent will always be ready to face you, he will also be nervous, as most of us are when we put ourselves to the test. So relax and enjoy the moment.

7. Enjoy the journey

There is nothing in life greater than going on an adventure, testing your knowledge. We evolve too much in these situations that take us out of our comfort zone.

8. Feel the atmosphere

Get to the gym early, feel the atmosphere, warm up properly, bring your food, remember water and hydration, and listen to good music. Oss!

Dominyka Obelenyte

Competing is a tricky thing.

Being successful at it is the result of multiple factors combined.

You need to be in top shape physically and you need to be very well trained with your game ready for whatever your opponents throw your way.

Perhaps, more than anything else, you need to have your mind in the right place.

Thinking of that, we have rounded up 10 valuable advices from 10 super-champions to help you be ready for the next time you step on the mat of a tournament.

Here you go.

1. “Champions seek tough training partners in the academy. They go for the challenge. The power of the will needs to be greater than the fear of losing or the vanity of being seen as a champion”- Carlos Gracie Jr

2. “Be aware of how the mind is the controlling factor for everything that happens. A lot of guys are great in the academy, but fall short at the championship. You need to be able to withstand the pressure of putting everything on the line in a tournament and show what you know.” – Rickson Gracie

3. “A champion cannot lose the positions he conquered in a match. A champion knows how to apply non-stop pressure when on top and also knows how to give no space when on the bottom. A champion knows how to maintain firm grips and hooks.” – Ronaldo Jacaré

Roger Gracie Photo by John Cooper

4. “Champions need to be patient. Like a drowning man, if you make wrong decisions and waste energy you will sink faster, but if you keep calm and follow a plan the chances of surviving increase.” – Roger Gracie

5. “If you want to be good at Jiu-Jitsu, train Jiu-Jitsu! You have to be able to do at the competition all you do at training.” – Marcelo Garcia

6. “Learn to start over. After a tough defeat, be at the academy the next day to work on your mistakes.” – Marcio Feitosa

7. “In training, ask yourself how would you win if you could roll against yourself. This way, you will find your weak points and draw a strategy to fill the holes in your own game.” – Leo Vieira

Marcelo Garcia vs. Kron Gracie at the 2009 ADCC, in Barcelona, Spain.

8. “Competition starts the moment you open your eyes in the morning. If you have that mindset, you’ll be closer to victory.” – Saulo Ribeiro

9. “In training, bring your body and mind to their limits. Competition will look easier the harder your training is.” – Braulio Estima

10. “Value progression. Secure positions and score your points. Then, look for the submission.” – Xande Ribeiro

Photo: John Lamonica

You’ve been training for a while now and despite all your efforts, you don’t seem to be improving a lot on the mats.

So, we decided to compile 10 valuable pieces of advice to get you back on tracks and have your game improving by the day.

1. Be curious 

Speak up when you have a doubt and you need your Professor or instructor to explain it. Many times, the devil is on the details and a quick explanation is all you need to have that technique clarified.

2. Keep a notebook

Write down what you learned every week and then revise. Find your weakness and the ways to overcome them. Don’t trust in your memory alone, specially if you are a beginner.

3. Have a game plan

When you are a beginner and it’s time to spar, don’t just ad lib as you go. Have a plan and aim for your specific targets with specific techniques. Leave improvisations for further ahead in your learning process.

4. Know your limits 

Don’t mix toughness with stupidity. If you are injured, don’t make it worse by training before it’s healed. If you are caught, tap and live to train another day.

5. Consistence beats intensity

It’s no use to train four times a week for two months and then not set foot on the mat for the next six months. Pace yourself and show up at least two times a weeks with less time off.

6. Pay attention to details 

Don’t allow yourself to be sloppy. Have each technique on point and fight hard for each detail during a spar or a tournament match. Many times, an under hook or a bad grip make all the difference between victory or defeat.

7. Increase your mat time

Don’t be late and try to be one of the last to leave. Ask questions and wait around while others ask their own questions after class. If your Professor is going to teach a private class, ask if he needs an extra. You’ll be helping and learning at the same time.

8. Live Jiu-Jitsu

Yes, that’s right. The Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle is much more than just training. Take advantage of all the teachings the founding fathers left us. Eat right, have the right mindset and enjoy the benefits of the gentle art 24/7.

9. There are no shortcuts 

Don’t believe in anything other than working your butt off on the mat. It’s the only way you will truly learn what needs to be learned.

10. Believe in yourself

As hard as it is, you need to convince yourself that you are able to do it. Don’t compare yourself to others, but to your past self. You just need to be a better version of you everyday.