An extra edge: How a razor-sharp mind can help your Jiu-Jitsu in competitions

July 2, 2023

Anyone who has ever been to a class can tell you that, despite being a martial art, Jiu-Jitsu is not all about physical prowess. While technical knowledge and strength are important aspects of the martial art, so are its psychological teachings. Through the gentle art, practitioners learn valuable lessons about their psyches and those lessons lead to improvements both on and off the mats, but especially in competitions.

One of the key assets that the sport provides to its athletes is mental fortitude. Jiu-Jitsu practitioners are no strangers to high-pressure situations in tournaments and sparring sessions, and that’s where your mind starts being trained. In those moments of adversity, when you’re in an uncomfortable position and can’t spare much time to weigh your next move, your decision-making skills begin to rapidly develop, making you more resilient and helping you keep calm even under pressure. Soon enough, you’ll feel more focused and at ease no matter what challenge (or opponent) stands in the way of your success.

Another valued trait, and one that Jiu-Jitsu both instills and demands from practitioners, is confidence. Physical and psychological training can help you attain a strong belief in your abilities, assisting you in grasping new techniques and developing a trust that’ll lead you to make quicker decisions on the competitive mats. Self-confidence improves your performance by leaps and bounds, as it helps you to assert yourself, take risks, and seize opportunities on the mats. Your confident demeanor may even throw the opponent off balance before the match, giving you an extra edge and improving your chances to win.

The mind of a warrior must also be unwavering, which is why emotions must always be under control. Competitive Jiu-Jitsu can be emotionally taxing for an athlete, as they’re faced with frustration, apprehension, and even anger before or during matches. While this is a situation that can’t be dealt with in the gym, given its lighter atmosphere, pushing forward and competing regularly gives your brain the tools it needs to better handle these feelings. Before you know it, you’ll be in the driver's seat of your mind and will be able to avoid being overwhelmed by positive and negative emotions, as both can break your flow and hinder your performance.

Not unlike its physical counterpart, psychological training is an extremely important asset and one that requires a long-term commitment to reach its peak efficiency. Whether you work with your professor or a sports psychologist, the fact remains that this is not something any athlete should overlook. As Joan of Arc once said, “All battles are first won or lost, in the mind.”