BJJ Competition Day Checklist
The Complete Packing List and Day-Of Guide
Competition days are chaotic. Things run late, you're hungry, your bracket gets moved—the more prepared you are, the less these things affect you. Here's everything you need to handle competition day smoothly.
📅Preparation Timeline
- •Pack EVERYTHING in your bag
- •Lay out clothes you'll wear to the venue
- •Charge your phone
- •Set multiple alarms
- •Know the venue address and parking situation
- •Go to bed early (you won't sleep well, but try)
- •Wake up 3+ hours before weigh-ins
- •Eat a familiar breakfast (nothing new)
- •Good options: oatmeal, toast, banana, eggs
- •Drink water but don't overdo it
- •Use bathroom before leaving
- •Arrive 1+ hour before your division
- •Complete registration/weigh-ins first
- •Find your competition mat/ring
- •Find the bathroom, food, exits
- •Claim a spot for your team
- •Start warming up
- •Get heart rate elevated
- •Light drilling with partner
- •Don't exhaust yourself, just get ready
- •Put on competition gear
- •Check in with table
- •Stay near your mat
- •Keep moving, stay warm
- •Visualize your opening move
- •Breathe
🎒Essential Gear
These are the absolute must-haves. Forget any of these and you're in trouble.
- ✓ Gi (competition weight, tournament legal)
- ✓ Backup gi (if possible)
- ✓ Belt
- ✓ Rashguard/spats for no-gi or under gi
- ✓ Competition shorts (if no-gi)
- ✓ Flip flops/sandals
- ✓ Registration confirmation (printed or on phone)
- ✓ Valid ID
- ✓ IBJJF card (if IBJJF tournament)
🩹Gear Maintenance
The little things that make a difference.
- ✓ Athletic tape (fingers, toes)
- ✓ Nail clippers (they will check)
- ✓ Hair ties (if applicable)
- ✓ Deodorant
- ✓ Extra socks/underwear
- ✓ Plastic bag for wet gear
🍌Nutrition
Tournaments are long. You need fuel but not too much.
- ✓ Water (lots of it)
- ✓ Electrolyte drinks (Pedialyte, Gatorade)
- ✓ Bananas
- ✓ Granola bars / protein bars
- ✓ Honey or energy gels
- ✓ Light sandwich (for between matches)
- ✓ Avoid heavy/greasy foods
🎧Comfort Items
Competition days are long. Make them bearable.
- ✓ Headphones and music
- ✓ Phone charger / portable battery
- ✓ Warm layers / hoodie
- ✓ Folding chair (many venues lack seating)
- ✓ Cash (for parking, food vendors)
- ✓ Entertainment for waiting (book, phone games)
📦Optional but Recommended
Not essential, but nice to have.
- •Mouthguard (especially for no-gi)
- •Knee sleeves or pads
- •Ice pack (for post-match if needed)
- •Foam roller or lacrosse ball
- •Notebook (to record matches)
- •Camera/phone stand (to record matches)
⚠️Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not eating because of nerves
You need fuel. Even if you don't feel hungry, eat something light and easy to digest.
Warming up too early
Tournaments run late. If you warm up 2 hours before and then sit, you'll be cold again. Time your warmup.
Not bringing enough water
Venue water is often overpriced or unavailable. Bring your own. You'll need more than you think.
Relying on venue food
Venue food is usually overpriced and unhealthy. Bring your own snacks.
💡Mental Tips
- ✦Focus on what you can control
- ✦Delays and chaos are normal—don't let them affect you
- ✦Stay off your feet as much as possible to conserve energy
- ✦Don't watch your division's matches if it makes you nervous
- ✦Have a pre-match ritual to get in the zone
📚More Competition Guides
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