Your first jiu-jitsu competition is mostly a test of nerves, logistics and one or two positions you trust. The technique you've built in class is already there. This checklist covers the four weeks before the event so nothing on the day takes you by surprise.
4 weeks out: decide and register
- Pick the event and the rules. IBJJF, ADCC-style, sub-only and local rulesets differ a lot. Read the rules for your belt: see what's legal at your belt under IBJJF.
- Pick your weight class from the weight you are now, not the weight you hope to be. The weight class finder gives you the class for IBJJF gi, IBJJF no-gi and ADCC Open.
- Register before the deadline. Many events close registration well before the day, and late fees can be steep. Some require a federation membership too (IBJJF events need an IBJJF membership).
- Tell your coach. They can help you choose the division, and they may want to corner you.
3 weeks out: build a simple game plan
You don't need a complex plan. You need an answer to three questions: how do I start (takedown or guard), where do I want to get to, and what's my finish from there. Add a backup for when the first route is blocked. Our guide to building a BJJ game plan walks through it.
- Choose one way to start the match and drill it every session.
- Pick one or two positions to aim for, and one submission from each.
- Know what scores: under IBJJF a sweep and a takedown are both 2 points. See IBJJF points explained.
2 weeks out: sharpen, don't learn
- Spend rounds starting from your game plan positions. Ask partners to start in the spots where you usually get stuck.
- Do some rounds at match length for your division, with a timer, to feel the pace.
- Film a few rolls and watch them back. Look for where you stall and where you get scored on.
- Avoid learning brand-new techniques for the comp. Keep the plan small.
1 week out: logistics
- Check the schedule and brackets when they're published, and the weigh-in rules for your event.
- Check your kit against the rules: the right gi colour and fit, or for no-gi, the right rash guard and shorts.
- Plan your travel so you arrive with time to spare. Brackets often run late, but sometimes they run early.
- Ease off the hard rounds towards the end of the week so you arrive fresh.
What to pack
- Gi (and a spare if you have one) or your no-gi kit, plus your belt
- ID and your registration or membership details
- Mouthguard, and any braces or tape you use
- Flip-flops or sliders for walking between mats
- Water and simple food you know sits well
- A warm layer for waiting between matches
- A phone and a friend to film your matches
Comp day
- Find your mat and listen for your name. Know roughly when your division is due.
- Warm up properly about 15 to 20 minutes before you expect to be called. Break a sweat, then stay warm.
- Before you step on, remind yourself of one thing: your first move. Everything else follows from it.
- Win or lose, shake hands, thank the referee and get your footage.
The week after
Watch your matches within a few days, while you still remember how they felt. Write down what worked, the one or two moments that decided the match, and what you'll drill next. Our guide to reviewing match footage explains what to look for.
Questions
How long should I train before my first BJJ competition?
There's no fixed rule. Many people enter once they can roll a full round at a steady pace and have one guard or one takedown they trust. Ask your coach: they know your game and will tell you if you're ready.
Should I cut weight for my first comp?
Usually not. At IBJJF events you weigh in just before your first match, so there's no time to recover from a big cut. Compete at the weight you already walk around at and learn how comps feel first.
What should I eat on comp day?
Something you normally eat and know sits well, a few hours before, plus small snacks and water through the day. Comp day is not the day to try anything new.
What if I lose my first match?
Most people do at some point. Watch the footage that week, write down the one or two moments that decided it, and turn them into what you drill next. That's how a loss becomes progress.