How to prepare for your first BJJ competition
Pick an event with a white belt division and learn its rules. Check your weight in the clothes you will compete in. Then train as normal and arrive early on the day.
Choose an event
- Ask your coach if you are ready. Many coaches say a few months of steady training is enough.
- Choose gi or no-gi. Many events have both.
- Pick a local event. It is cheaper and less stressful.
- Find out which rules it uses. Many events use IBJJF rules. Others use their own.
Sign up
You enter a division. A division is a group of people with the same belt, age group and weight. Sign up before the deadline. Late sign-ups often cost more.
Learn the rules
- How points are scored. See the points table.
- How long a match is. Under IBJJF rules, an adult white belt match is 5 minutes. See match length.
- Which moves are illegal at your belt. See the illegal moves table.
- The uniform rules. See BJJ uniform rules, then check the event's website.
Check your weight
Under IBJJF rules, you weigh in once, before your first match. You wear your gi, or your no-gi clothes at a no-gi event. If you are over the limit, you are disqualified. Other events may weigh you the day before. See BJJ weight classes.
What to pack
- Two clean gis that follow the rules, or no-gi clothes. A spare is useful if one fails the uniform check.
- Your belt, sandals, and a photo ID if the event asks for one.
- Water and simple food you know well.
- A mouthguard, if you use one.
On the day
- Arrive early and find your mat and your time.
- Eat a light meal you know well.
- Warm up 15 to 20 minutes before your match.
- Listen for your name and go to the waiting area when called.
- Shake hands, fight, and shake hands again.
Mia enters a local white belt division. She weighs herself in her gi a week before. On the day she arrives two hours early and warms up. She loses her first match on points, wins her second, and goes home with a list of things to train.
When should I do my first BJJ competition?
Ask your coach. Many people compete after a few months to a year of steady training.
Do I need to lose weight for my first competition?
No. For your first event, compete at your normal weight. It is safer and you feel stronger.
What if I lose?
Most people lose at their first event. You learn more from one match than from many rolls.
Under IBJJF gi rules, when do you weigh in?
Train it on the Path
The How a match works unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
The Path goes in order: start free from lesson one and you reach How a match works on the way. With Rolla Plus you can jump straight here.