Competing can be very stressful, you (or your child) may have had a sleepless night, you may have had to drop a few pounds, you may be experiencing a little adrenaline or you may be calm as a cucumber. What ever the case may be, the last thing you want to worry about is something you forgot or just didn’t know about.
Here is a basic check list of things you should always bring to a competition and some little tips:
- An extra gi (Competition gi’s usually need to be white, black or royal blue) and can only have patches in correct area’s (see image below)
- Do not wear colored gel or hair spray.
- Mouth guard (not required but, if you wear typically one you may feel insecure if you don’t have it)
- Your Belt (seems like common sense but, believe me I have somehow forgotten mine before) fyi…most tournaments require your belt be in good condition and can’t be too short.
- Your ID/IBJJF card/NABJJF card ect…
- Females: Extra rash guard, shorts, sports bra, hair ties (no metal hair clips or bobby pins)
- Trim your nails.
- Remember most tournaments require that you make weight IN YOUR GI. Check weight classes for the tournament you are competing in (they can be a little different depending on the tournament)
- Check the time you compete ahead of time and arrive about an hour early, you don’t want to feel rushed (sometimes they run ahead and you will be DQ’d if you are not there)
- Bring plenty of water and a healthy snack (sometimes they run behind)
- Check the rules, different companies have different rules (you can usually find this, along with any uniform requirements on the website for the tournament) http://ibjjf.org/rules/
- Be responsible for yourself or your child, try not to depend on your instructors to handle all of the above for you…they may be competing as-well or they may have 30 other people competing that they are also dealing with.
- Get directions to the event ahead of time and figure out how long it will take you to get there.
- DO NOT text or call your instructor the morning of or during the event to help you with any of the above (see #11)
- Have fun!
