If you’ve been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Growth happens outside of your comfort zone.” While rolling in class and drilling techniques are crucial parts of development, stepping onto the competition mat is an entirely different challenge—one that can accelerate your progress and deepen your connection to the BJJ community.
With the NAGA Nashville Championship happening on Saturday, March 29, now is the perfect time to push past your limits and experience the many benefits that come with competing.
Why Competing Makes You Better
1. Pressure Testing Your Skills
Competing in a tournament puts your BJJ under the ultimate stress test. Unlike the controlled environment of your gym, a competition pushes you to apply your techniques against an unfamiliar opponent who is giving 100% effort. This experience highlights the areas you need to improve while reinforcing the techniques that work well under pressure.
2. Faster Skill Development
When you sign up for a tournament, your mindset shifts. You start training with a new level of intensity, refining your game plan, tightening your technique, and focusing on details you might otherwise overlook. The lead-up to a competition often leads to rapid growth because you’re more intentional about every aspect of your training.
Moreover, you can take steps to perform at your best, such as utilizing the services of Compass Human Performance, which operates on-site at the gym.
3. Building Mental Toughness
BJJ is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Dealing with pre-competition nerves, handling the adrenaline dump, and learning to stay composed under pressure are invaluable skills that extend far beyond the mats. Facing these challenges in competition helps you develop resilience, confidence, and the ability to perform under stress.
How Tournaments Strengthen the BJJ Community
1. Shared Experience Brings People Together
When you step onto the competition mats, you’re not just representing yourself—you’re representing your gym, your teammates, and the countless hours of training that got you there. Win or lose, you’ll share an unforgettable experience with your team, strengthening your bonds and deepening your sense of belonging.
2. Supportive Atmosphere
One of the most rewarding aspects of competing is the overwhelming support from teammates, coaches, and even fellow competitors. Whether it’s teammates cornering you during matches, celebrating your victories, or helping you learn from your losses, the encouragement from your gym family reinforces that you’re part of something bigger than just yourself.
3. Exposure to Different Styles
Competing exposes you to different grappling styles and approaches, broadening your understanding of the game. Watching high-level competitors, exchanging knowledge with athletes from other gyms, and seeing firsthand how different strategies play out in real-time contribute to your growth and evolution as a practitioner.
Take the Leap – Sign Up for NAGA Nashville
If you’ve been on the fence about competing, consider this your sign to step up and challenge yourself. NAGA Nashville on March 29 is the perfect opportunity to test your skills, break through personal barriers, and become a stronger, more well-rounded grappler. Plus, you’ll be part of an incredible event that showcases the spirit of the BJJ community.
So take that leap, sign up, and embrace the challenge. Whether you win, lose, or draw, you’ll walk away with invaluable experience, a tighter bond with your teammates, and a deeper love for the art of Jiu-Jitsu. See you on the mats!
