Part of building your game plan for a competition is not anticipating your opponent’s moves or trying to understand them – that is dangerous – but to plan the execution of techniques you know in order to conquer your opponent no matter what they do.
Once you know what techniques you plan to use in competition you must write them down. This helps log them deeper into memory. Create a list from start to finish. Then with each move, there could be a possible counter by your opponent. Create another list with those steps of what you would do if your opponent tried one of those counters. Do this until you get to the end of the main list. After you have written it down memorize it. Just like memorizing a speech or a piece of music, it takes practice. Yes, you want to memorize the techniques mentally and by name, but you need to also drill them, practice them physically. Find a partner to work on these techniques and steps with.
Here are ways to prepare:
- Study and master the fundamentals
- Understand the breadth of techniques out there so as not to be surprised when your opponent steps away from the fundamentals – this allows you to defend properly and regain your offensive position.
- Find what techniques work for you, your body style and your mental game. Master these in series to the point of second nature response – this allows your defensive position to immediately turn into an offensive one, or your offensive position into a “win” with little mental effort.
- Physical strength is relative to the individual, and for every strength, there is a weakness. If the person is stocky and shorter, there may be less flexibility. If the person is skinnier and taller they may not have the brute strength. If the person is smaller in stature and strong they may be quick but will be light weight. If the person is big, heavy and tall they will be slow and less flexible. This quick analysis of your opponent will give you enough information to establish your best attack to next go into your game plan or strategy in battle.
- You must learn to channel your adrenaline to energy and strength prior to battle to stay focused on your attack and game plan strategy. Breathing techniques or even meditation are options depending on the individual.
- Visualization is a power-tool to success. Visualization allows mental practice in place of physical practice when physical activities are not allowed.
- Combine breathing techniques and visualization of your game plan to control and channel your adrenaline to prepare for battle. This is really effective immediately before battle, although this can be done anytime outside of regular training times.
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Additional Resource: https://www.jenreviews.com/bjj-techniques/
Commercial AV design, sales & business development professional, writer, teacher/trainer, outdoor enthusiast, hobbiest film photographer, BJJ practitioner.
