You might wonder whether participating in competitions is necessary for the BJJ experience if you’re thinking about trying it out or have already started. You might be curious whether competing is essential to get to the rank of black belt.
While it is not mandatory to compete in BJJ tournaments, as competing isn’t necessary to obtain a black belt. However, you should do so at some point because the benefits outweigh the risks. Competitors learn they progress more swiftly. Likewise, those who compete consequently rise in position more swiftly.
You can learn much and keep improving with only practiced technique, concerted drilling, and focused sparring in class. After all, many BJJ black belts have occasionally participated in competitions or never at all. Competing at least a few times is an excellent idea because there’s much you might gain from them.
What is BJJ?
Early in the 20th century, Carlos Gracie and his brothers created it in Brazil. Studies and trainees regard Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as one of the world’s most effective self-defense systems.
BJJ is frequently cited as one of the most effective martial arts because it emphasizes technical skill and grappling techniques that you can use to control or submit a resisting opponent without necessarily inflicting severe injury. BJJ was created in the early 1900s by Japanese immigrant Mitsuyo Maeda.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a widely practiced sport, with national and international contests. The sports component of BJJ emphasizes getting through an opponent’s guard to take control of the situation before attempting a submission hold (such as a clock choke or joint lock).
Given the required mental and physical control, you may refer to it as “human chess.”
Martial arts competitions aim to score enough points to win the match outright or submit the opponent. The officials give points for different stances and techniques.
Do you need to compete in BJJ to receive a black belt?
BJJ competitions are great times to have fun. It will take some time before you find enjoyment in finishing last. Most BJJ trainees succeed as competitors. Some people detest competition. Make competitive efforts, though, actually hasten your belt promotions?
You don’t need to compete in BJJ to receive a black belt. It is possible to progress through the ranks until the black belt without ever participating in a competition. It is not only feasible to get a black belt without competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but it is also a common practice amongst many trainees.
As you can see, competitors require those who never compete, and teachers need the competitor to put gym theories to the test in a real-world setting. BJJ is an ecology in which each grappler has a place and contributes. So, you don’t necessarily need to compete.
You can learn new skills and keep improving with deliberate drilling and laser-focused sparring in class. After all, many BJJ black belts have occasionally participated in competitions or never at all.
It’s a pretty brilliant and beneficial idea to compete at least a few times in BJJ competitions. Likewise, it’ll help you progress faster; follow the link to read more about progressing faster in martial arts.
Should you compete in BJJ?
Sometimes it’s better to try something and fail than never to try it and then wonder how it might be. When you are in a situation where you are unsure of what to do, just do it. Based on whether it was beneficial or not, you should decide whether to repeat the action. But always give it a shot first. It will greatly enrich your life.
Even if your primary motivation for learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is self-defense, participating in a few tournaments over your BJJ journey is still an excellent idea. Most likely, competing improves your game. And, you will unavoidably change your training routine if there’s competition.
You’ll pay closer attention to drilling since you don’t want to appear foolish on competition day and won’t miss as many classes. You’ll exercise further conditioning and focus on repairing your flaws and honing your primary weapons.
Though, you can’t be in competition mode all the time. If you do, you’ll overtrain and become ill. Even professional athletes take it easier when there isn’t a competition. However, competition mode is an exceptional spot to improve your game.
Going to a tournament or two is a magnificent opportunity to test (and improve) your coolness under pressure if your goal is self-defense.
You will continue to improve at riding the adrenaline wave and making judgments under pressure by exposing yourself to frightening yet relatively safe scenarios like a tournament.
If you want to know whether BJJ is suitable for self-defense, ensure you follow the link to an article of mine on the topic.
Does competing make you better at BJJ?
Everyone shows up for practice in the hopes of improving a little each day, whatever it may be. Learning BJJ is a journey that might turn you from a novice white belt to a proficient black belt.
Competing makes you better at BJJ, your ability to train with other people at your gym may be limited. You may not have colleagues of equivalent size and competence with whom you can spar. You’ll have comparable age, weight, and belt competitors when competing. As such, you’ll progress exponentially.
Competitors you confront on competition day have worked hard to get in the best physical condition for the event and will give their all to try to defeat you.
It’s unlike any spar you’ll have in the gym to roll with someone giving it their all and has increased adrenaline.
Competing is another excellent technique to identify your game’s weaknesses. You might have a sweep or move that everyone in your gym can use.
However, you can encounter a competitor who can readily counter this maneuver in competition. Although this can be defeating, it forces you to evaluate your technique and develop strategies to improve.
Here is a summary of some key benefits of BJJ competition:
- Motivates you to focus and train harder
- Tests your abilities against the top competitors in your belt, age, and size.
- Teaches various methods and skills.
- You find out what it takes to succeed.
- Exposes flaws in your own game.
Is BJJ worth getting into?
Like any other sport, hobby, or martial art, whether you believe BJJ is worthwhile depends on your objectives and what you’ll learn in BJJ. What benefits do you desire from BJJ? And how much does BJJ cost compared to other martial arts? When you consider all that you know, here’s what I think.
BJJ is worth getting into because it’s an excellent method of self-defense. The cost of practicing BJJ is undoubtedly worthwhile if you want to learn Jiu-Jitsu for this reason. Once you settle into your BJJ school and meet new people, BJJ can be a very social and enjoyable martial art.
If you want to know more about the true cost of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes, ensure to follow the link to where I reveal the answer.
Over time, you’ll probably form lifelong friendships on the practice fields, and most schools regularly organize social outings.
BJJ is also suitable for fitness, so in addition to learning self-defense and having a good time with your buddies, you’ll also get great exercise.
Final words
Competition can be very effective for accelerating BJJ progress, but whether to enter should be up to you, the trainee. If you don’t roll or spar in class, you won’t improve at BJJ.
Competition is nothing more than the pinnacle of rolling experiences. So even if you only compete once, try it because you never know how much you’ll enjoy it and learn from the experience. Even if you don’t win, you’ll know you’ve been there and seen it.
You don’t have to compete in competitions to achieve your black belt, but it will help you get there faster. No matter how often you compete, I wish you the best in your training.
If you enjoyed reading this article, ensure to follow the link to read about the best BJJ fighters worldwide. These fighters are the elite of the elite; so be sure to check them out.