What Competitions are Like and Why you Should do a Few

One of my favorite jiu jitsu related activities are competitions. They are always a blast and eventful in a multitude of ways. Most instructor's from what I understand promote a healthy interest in competition experience, I know mine does. Not everyone enjoys competing, however, there are several legitimate ideas as to the importance of competing.

Here's what a big tournament looks like:

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Now back to what I was saying...

For one, unless you travel frequently and/or have a really big academy, its a way of diversifying your jiu jitsu experience on a person to opponent context. Take me for example, the academy I attend isn't the biggest around and while there are a variety of skill levels and body sizes not everyone makes it to every class. What this means is, that since I don't travel around and I train and roll with a certain group of people consistently, it gives a fresh rolling experience. 

Competing gives everyone the chance to implement their jiu jitsu skills against someone they've never gone up against before and amp up the intensity 100%. This is nice because when you train with a team, everyone learns each others' games and you should keep training intensity at a healthy level as to keep from injuries.

At another angle of thinking, competition serves as an accurate tool for discovering what it is in your skill set that can use some refinement. This goes back to the previous point where knowing your teammates' games and vice versa comes into play.

Competitions usually are an all day event and you get to see and meet a lot of other people who are a part of this community which is fun. Getting to meet people and network is a great bonus. Here is a couple of photos of me and my instructor meeting a couple of world renowned and highly talented jiu jitsu practitioners:

Us with Raphael Lovato Jr.
Photo by Troy Russell

Us with Justin Rader
Photo by Troy Russell

And last but not least competitions are a wonderful way to market your academy and possibly acquire interest from someone who is looking for somewhere to train. Either that or falling back on networking and finding out about places for potential cross training.

When competing make sure you either bring plenty of money for snacks or do as I do and bring something healthy like bananas and nuts. Nothing to heavy on the gut but enough to keep your energy up for the hurry up and wait part of the day. This is usually after the rules meeting at the beginning of the day and while divisions other than yours are in action.

There are usually some venders around selling jiu jitsu related merchandise. Anything from T-Shirts to mouth-guards or a new GI. Well there's my beginner's look at jiu jitsu competitions and why to do them, have any questions or comments you know what to do. Til next time good day.

Tips on How to put BJJ in your Price Range

I've been doing BJJ now for going on 4 years now and I've seen training partners come and go. There are several culprits typically responsible for the disappearance of a seemingly enthusiastic practitioner, but the one I want to talk about is money or the lack there of.I'll be the first one to admit that I struggle with financing my involvement in BJJ. However, I can offer ways in which you can consider you're lifestyle as well as finances in the goal of budgeting for BJJ.

How does BJJ starts adding up? Well unlike a gym membership being anywhere from $25 to $50 a month, membership dues at a BJJ school can vary from $75 or more. Distinguished schools such as Cobrinha’s, Kron Gracie, Romulo Barral, AOJ and Gracie Academy can easily run $200 or more each month.

Not only that, you must consider the cost of equipment.  Kimonos otherwise known as GI's will set you back $70 to $300.Rash guards and grappling shorts range $25 to $75 each. If you want to compete in any tournaments that's going to run you $45 to $150 and if your in the Midwest you have to add in travel costs. Needless to say jiu jitsu is not the most cost efficient activity out here, but, if you masterfully budget you can enjoy the many positive joys of this art.

Here are a few ways you can add to your BJJ training fund.

• Prepare your own meals. I know we live in a fast paced world and it proves challenging, but buying groceries is way cheaper than eating out. You have to spend a little extra prep time for your subsequent meals and you have to haul it around with you but in the end it will save you substantially.

• Drink water. Not only is it better for your health it is easier on the pocketbook. I know what you're thinking... bottled water costs, well I carry a 32 oz. water bottle around with me and I save by drinking water out water fountains or dispensed filtered water that I have access to. Which translates to spending nothing.

• Quit or vastly decrease alcohol consumption. Let's face it, the amount of money that can easily be spent in a night on the town drinking, would cover most of a month of school dues. Alcohol adds up fast, and can have adverse affects on your health and training quality anyway.

• Cancel cable subscription. Cable can cost upwards of a couple hundred dollars a month. And lets face it, you can quite often either not have the time to watch it or spend your time not being able to find anything of quality to watch. The online alternatives are more cost effective and you get a better viewing pleasure.

These are just a few out of a several ways to accomplish this, end the end it depends on ability to sacrifice and their dedication to a higher quality of life. Hope you enjoyed and if you have anything to add leave a comment. 

Essential Elements of BJJ

Hello blog readers and my fellow bloggers. It's another great day and I want to share with those who are not aware of specific elements involved with jiu jitsu. In past posts I granted my readers, mine and others' perceptions as to the benefits of practicing this martial art.

I think it only fair that next in my series of insights, I go over the positional hierarchy in the world of Brazilian jiu jitsu. Here is an example:

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Most of these positions are easy to comprehend by name, however, in my school we use the term knee-on-belly instead of kneeride. And as far as Turtle is concerned, think of being in the fetal position only instead of being on your side, you're on your legs and arms with your head tucked, kind of like a turtle.

I found this flow chart and have to admit, it's a great idea to develop a personalized flow chart. Here it is:

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Last thing, I want to note that this is said to be a flow chart made by BJJ's very own legendary Rickson Gracie.

BJJ What?!?!

First order of business is informing those who are unfamiliar with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It is an adapted modification of Japanese Judo taught to the son of a prominent Brazilian politician by a visiting Judo master in the early 20th century. More about the origins of BJJ are included in the video below, enjoy.