Do you compete?
Recently at the gym while talking about BJJ philosophy, as is bound to happen, we ended up on the topic of the importance competition. I come from a school and a team that has produced multiple world champions, multiple time world champions, and more times than not in the last ten years, has won the overall team championship at worlds. It would almost be redundant to say we value competition, but we do. And that’s not to say everyone in the gym competes on a regular basis. I only compete a few times a year, and our gym is full of great people and great training partners who rarely if even complete.
Anyway, the conversation turned to another gym in the area that doesn't compete, and in some peoples opinion, almost steers their students away from competition. The point of this post isn't to criticize other gyms or their training philosophies, but rather to share my thoughts on where competing fits in a training regimen.
As I mentioned earlier I only compete a few times every year, but I can‘t imagine training at an academy that doesn't have competitors and here is why. Bare with me as a ramble on a bit, chances are this won’t be read by many people so who cares. I am always skeptical of my own abilities and skill level. I wonder if I am just drinking the martial arts Kool-Aid, and if I actually know anything. Even After winning a few local tournaments my first thought isn't that I am good. My first thoughts are the talent pool must have been small, or lacking, or maybe people were fight up in the weight class. I don't say this to disparage my opponents or local tournaments, but to prove the point that even after having small success I still questions my skills and abilities. I don't know how anyone could have any confidence in their BJJ skills, and what they are being taught if they have never tested themselves.
I don't understand how you could trust that you will be able to defend yourself in a real situation with actual dire consequences when you haven't tried to defend yourself in a consequence free environment like a tournament. Even if you personally don't like competing, at least train with people who do compete. If you are training and learning with people who win tournaments at least you know what you are being taught has been tested.
I think I’ve run out of steam, so ill just end this here, that's the beauty of blog no one reads