How competitive is your athlete, and how much are you, as a parent, willing to? There are so many options in the world of BJJ, you’re sure to find a routine that works for the entire family’s busy schedules while establishing the training regime your budding competitor needs to continue their rise in an ever growing sport.
First of all, it’s important to remember mistakes are going to happen, so cut yourself some slack. Preparation is important, but trial and error are the best way of finding what tournaments will help your athlete meet their goals.
Smaller and local tournaments are extremely helpful and a great way to gauge what direction you and your competitor would like to take on their road to the bigger competitions. These tournaments will not only teach your child how to manage their time properly, but also give them the opportunity to showcase what they have been working on in practice.
[How Competing in Martial Arts Benefits Your Kids]
Expanding your competitor’s horizons
Once you and your athlete feel you’ve conquered the local tournament scene, it’s time to consider traveling to expand your competitor pool.
The nice part about many of the local tournament promotions is they also tour other states. Choosing one of these tournaments can make a great way to potentially minimize some of the anxieties associated with trying new things.
Additionally, many of the tournament organizers utilize a point system throughout the season, with a championship event to end the year. This can be a fun, motivating factor and a way for your child to set short-term and long-term goals.
When participating in the larger, high-level travel tournaments, such as IBJJF or ADCC, you can expect the caliber of competitors to go up as well. This means you get a true gauge of where your athlete stands on a national level!
These big competitions also provide rosters of the competitors, including their rank, giving you the opportunity to tailor your training. These tournaments can be very exciting and fast-paced.
[Competition for Kids in Muay Thai]
Tips for competition prep
Some final aspects to consider when leaving town for any tournament is to try and plan ahead, always check for package deals, coupons or early registration deadlines to help consolidate cost while reducing potential stress.
Keep the planning fun! Set and outline your goals together — both short-term and long-term goals are very important. If your long term goal is to compete at IBJJF Kids Pans in Florida next summer, you should consider traveling first to some IBJJF Opens in preparation. If your goal is to get as many matches as possible, then stay away from single elimination tournaments. Be sure to always read the rules!
Most importantly, prioritize fun, and make as many friends along the way — parents and competitors alike.
In the words of the late, great Carlos Gracie, Sr., “There is no losing in the sport of Jiu Jitsu. You either win, or you learn.”