Preparations for a match

GracieMag:
The perfect championship
Six-time world champion speaks of final preparations for shining in any Jiu-Jitsu tournament
By Saulo Ribeiro

›› If you are still “in college,” or in other words, brown belt and below, it is hard to study your adversaries since you don’t have much access to videos of these belt groups, with the exception of such notables as Roger, Garcia, Bráulio and Jacaré during their times. So, the most you will be able to hope for will be to fall into a good bracket. If you’ve already finished college and are doing your “post-grad,” up until you’ve been a black belt for five years, you will be studying your main adversaries way too much. Never study them at night, because that messes with your adrenaline and leaves you squirming in your bed when it's time to sleep. Before training and at the end of the afternoon are the best times.

›› On championship weekend, no fight videos! It’s time to give the mind a rest. Go to the movies, or rent a bunch of comedies, to put you in a different mood.

›› A fight is won on its eve! Your success will be the fruit of good training and perfect preparations. Set the day before aside to stock your war supplies: water in abundance (don’t take sips from others), fruits like apples, bananas, oranges and tangerines; granola, coconut water and an amino-acid supplement for the break between fights. I like to drink coffee and milk in the morning with a white cheese sandwich, but if I’m only going to fight in the afternoon I'll have a chicken breast as well! At tournament time, don't be drinking any of your friends' magic potions! Generally you would assign a trustworthy blue or purple belt the mission of transporting everything, someone you have confidence in.

›› Designate someone to drive. You shouldn't even think of driving on this day! Your mind needs to be focused only on the fight. Someone to film it is always cool, after all the magic and unforgettable moments never come back. Surround yourself with people that don’t crowd you, and that preferably don’t talk much. It will be a day for introspection, calm music playing on the iPod, and lots of stretching.

›› Plan to always arrive at the gymnasium two hours beforehand, and choose a spot to be your refuge. Championships are not nightclubs where you are supposed to be sociable with everybody! Have someone designated to deal with emergencies and unexpected situations. Don't forget the flip-flops to refresh the feet, no wearing sneakers and socks!

›› Start with mild stretching. When there is an hour to go before battle it's time to put the armor on! Always take an extra gi and choose someone to fight for grips with you with thirty minutes to go. Drink water the whole time, even when you're not thirsty! At times you should opt for a good mouth wash, to get rid of that dryness in the mouth, and no soft drinks!

›› Remember that the mission is to take the title, and if you put on a show but don't win your mission is not complete, if it had been a war you would be dead! Lay your strategy and follow your plan! Don't be thinking what the other "could do if…” Remember that the lion that bites first sees the other in agony first, so don’t stop biting!

›› Having a positive attitude is everything, great training and good vibes!