10 First Tournament Mistakes Every BJJ Practitioner Makes

Your first BJJ competition will be an educational experience. That's the polite way of saying you'll probably make several mistakes. But here's the good news: almost everyone makes the same mistakes. Learn them now and you'll be ahead of the curve.

Mistake #1: Cutting Too Much Weight

"I'm walking around at 165, but if I cut down to 155, I'll be the biggest guy in the division."

This logic seems sound until you're dizzy, weak, and cramping 20 minutes before your first match. Your first tournament is not the time for an aggressive weight cut.

The Fix

Compete at or very close to your natural weight. Maybe drop 3-5 pounds if it's easy. Save the weight cutting experiments for when you have more experience with competitions and understand how your body responds.

Mistake #2: Not Knowing the Rules

"Wait, guard pulling doesn't score points?"

Different tournaments have different rules. IBJJF rules differ from NAGA rules differ from local tournament rules. You need to know:

• What submissions are legal at your belt
• How points are scored
• What gets you disqualified
• Match length

The Fix

Read the rulebook before tournament day. Watch videos explaining the specific rule set. Ask your coach to quiz you.

Mistake #3: No Game Plan

"I'll just see what happens."

Without a plan, you'll freeze when the adrenaline hits. Your brain won't work normally in that state - you need automated responses.

The Fix

Have a simple plan:

• What's your opening (guard pull, takedown)?
• What's your primary sweep or pass?
• What's your go-to submission?

Drill this sequence hundreds of times before competing.

Mistake #4: Arriving Too Late

"My division starts at noon, I'll get there at 11:30."

Tournaments run on "tournament time." Sometimes you're early, sometimes you're late. Plus you need to check in, warm up, find your mat, mentally prepare...

The Fix

Arrive at least 90 minutes before your expected start time. Earlier is better. You can always relax if you have extra time, but you can't conjure time that doesn't exist.

Mistake #5: Wrong Warmup

Some people sit around getting cold. Others exhaust themselves warming up.

The Fix

Start your warmup about 30 minutes before you expect to compete. Get a light sweat going. Do movement drills you know (shrimps, rolls, technical standup). Light drilling with a teammate if possible. Don't roll hard - save your energy.

Mistake #6: Forgetting to Eat and Hydrate

In the chaos and nerves, basic human needs get forgotten.

The Fix

Bring food and water. Eat something light 2-3 hours before competing. Sip water regularly. Bring snacks for between matches. The simpler and more familiar the food, the better.

Mistake #7: Burning Out Before Finals

Your first match is a war. You go 100% for the entire match, barely win, and then realize you have two more matches potentially.

The Fix

Pace yourself. Be active and controlling, but don't treat every exchange like life or death. Conservation of energy matters when you have multiple matches.

Mistake #8: Treating It Like the Mundials

Paralyzed with nerves. Crying in the bathroom. Hands shaking so badly you can't tie your belt.

It's your first local tournament. This level of pressure is not appropriate.

The Fix

Perspective matters. This is a learning experience. Win or lose, you'll be back at training next week. Nobody's career depends on this outcome. The only expectation is that you compete and learn.

Mistake #9: Not Having Support

Going to your first tournament alone is rough. No one to warm up with, no one to cheer for you, no one to debrief with after.

The Fix

Go with teammates. Even if they're not competing, having your crew there makes a huge difference. If no teammates are available, at least bring a friend or family member for moral support.

Mistake #10: Quitting Mentally Before It's Over

You get taken down. They pass your guard. They're mounting you with 2 minutes left. You mentally give up.

The Fix

Matches can change in seconds. Sweeps happen. Submissions from bottom happen. Mistakes by your opponent happen. Stay in the fight mentally until it's actually over.

Bonus Mistake: Not Competing Again

Your first tournament might go badly. You might get tapped in 30 seconds. You might freeze up and not attempt anything. You might cry in front of strangers.

This is normal. It's not a reason to never compete again.

The Fix

Sign up for another one. You learn more from your second competition than your first because you're not overwhelmed by the novelty. Most people say competition "clicked" around their third or fourth event.

What Actually Matters

Your first competition is about three things:

1. Showing up - Just doing it is a victory
2. Competing - Actually trying, not freezing
3. Learning - Understanding what you need to work on

If you accomplish those three things, regardless of the result, your first tournament is a success.

Pre-Tournament Checklist

• [ ] Know the rules
• [ ] Have a simple game plan
• [ ] Gi meets regulations (if gi division)
• [ ] Mouthguard
• [ ] IBJJF membership or tournament registration complete
• [ ] Know venue location and parking
• [ ] Food and water packed
• [ ] Teammate or support coming with you
• [ ] Warm-up plan ready
• [ ] Expectations set (learning experience, not championship)

The Real Benefit

Competing teaches you things about yourself and your jiu-jitsu that training never can. Even if your first tournament is a disaster, you'll understand your game at a deeper level afterward.

That understanding makes you better. And being better makes the next competition a little less scary.

So yeah, you're going to make mistakes. Everyone does. Make them anyway.