Jiu Jitsu tournaments are an incredible concentration of the highest highs and the lowest lows of human emotion. I think that you walk away a little bit more resilient and a little bit wiser with each competitive attempt, regardless of the outcome. Tournaments are also incredibly long. Plan on an eight to twelve-hour day if you are competing in both the Gi and No Gi divisions at a local tournament. Larger tournaments may range this long as well due to the number of athletes. It is best to come prepared.
Food
Never assume that a venue will have food or that there will be a chance to get food nearby! Local tournaments notoriously have very few options. Bring some small snacks like protein bars for before weigh ins if you are close on weight. Fruit or fruit pouches are a great option for bigger breaks between matches. You will need some type of sugar to replace the glycogen you just stripped from your body in your initial matches. Honey or some type of Goo are also good options. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR WEIGHT CLASSES! No Gi divisions are often quite a bit lighter than the Gi. I have watched people miss weight in the afternoon by eating lunch midday. Save the larger meal for after you are finished competing for the day. You will be starving.
Water
Water options at tournaments are also often limited. Bring enough water for the whole day if possible. I can remember one year at Pan Ams there was one nearby drinking fountain and it was broken. The options were to wait in line and buy water from a vender or fill at the bathroom sink. Your coach or teammate may or may not be able to run and refill for you in between matches. As a team we always bring an extra case of water. Hydration salts are a good addition for longer days with many matches.
Slip on Shoes or Sandals
It is not okay to walk barefoot around the tournament floor. Whatever was on your feet will move to the mats and in turn people’s skin. At many tournaments they will disqualify a competitor for walking around without shoes. In Montana I have seen many unfortunate competitors taking their winter boots on and off at the side of the mat to compete. Come prepared!
Something to Do Between Matches
If you have friends competing or you are coaching, you end up very busy the whole day. However if you are with a small team at a local tournament, you may want to bring a book to read or something else to work on. This is critical for kids who are competing. They will quickly become bored watching their teammates and will proceed to start their own grappling matches in the bleachers.
Hooded Sweatshirt
After warming up you may have to wait in a bull pen to compete. There can also be really long gaps between matches. It is very important not to let yourself completely cool down before your next match. You will have to warm up again while your opponent may be ready to go.
Tape and Band-Aids
The referee will stop a tournament match if a competitor is bleeding. They will start a timer and you have a few minutes to stop it. Have some tape in your bag for those cuticle cuts or a jammed finger or toe. You have worked too hard to let a small digit injury break your stride.
I will typically throw the above items as well as my IBJJF card (if needed) into a small string bag that I carry with me. This way if my coach or teammate that was watching my match has to move to another ring or take a break, I still have everything I need. I will also carry music with me to listen to as I warm up. This is more of a personal ritual and not a requirement. Below is a list of the other items I bring along to compete.
Two Gis (gis sometimes rip or are just gross after a few matches) – Be sure to check out the uniform requirements for the tournament. If a uniform is in bad shape or is really small they may not allow you to compete in it. Patches can only go in certain places also.
Two sets of No Gi apparel – for under gi or other division – No Gi apparel has to fit tightly and cannot have pockets, zippers, or buttons.
Belt – Must be long enough and can’t show significant signs of wear.
Ibuprofen
Headphones
CBD Balm
Nail Clippers
Battery to charge phone (outlets are often scarce)
Change of clothes
Dry Shampoo
Deodorant
Extra Hair ties
Wet Wipes
Camp Towel and Travel Soaps (if showers at venue)
Rolling Under The Big Sky 