Competition Game Planning in BJJ | BJJ App Wiki
☰Contents
- What is a Game Plan?
- Building Your A-Game
- Scouting Opponents
- In-Match Adjustments
- Bracket and Weight Class Strategy
- Post-Match Review
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to learn Competition Game Planning?
- Is Competition Game Planning effective for beginners?
- How often should I drill Competition Game Planning?
- What positions connect to Competition Game Planning?
A systematic approach to developing, refining, and executing your competition game plan — from bracket analysis to in-match adjustments.
A systematic approach to developing, refining, and executing your competition game plan — from bracket analysis to in-match adjustments.
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What is a Game Plan?
A game plan is your pre-determined set of actions and reactions for a match. It covers your preferred entries, positions you want to achieve, techniques you're most comfortable finishing with, and how you'll respond to your opponent's likely counters.
Building Your A-Game
Your A-game should consist of 2-3 high-confidence positions you can flow between naturally. Common A-game structures include: guard pull → sweep → mount → submission, or takedown → side control → mount → choke.
Scouting Opponents
When possible, watch footage of upcoming opponents. Look for: defensive tendencies (how do they react when submitted?), preferred guard, guard passing style, and any positional weaknesses. Don't obsess — adapt your A-game rather than building entirely around opponent tendencies.
In-Match Adjustments
The best game plan is flexible. If your guard pull is stuffed, have a backup. If they're stalling, know how to break their grips. The ability to read and react mid-match is built through experience in competition and pressure rolling.
Bracket and Weight Class Strategy
In a bracket tournament, consider energy management. Don't gas out in early rounds. Reserve your highest-effort techniques for later matches. Know your bracket — if you face a tough opponent in round 2, you may need to conserve in round 1.
Post-Match Review
Video your matches if possible. Review with your coach: what worked, what didn't, and what adjustments to make for the next tournament. Systematic post-match analysis accelerates development dramatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Competition Game Planning?
Most practitioners develop functional competency with Competition Game Planning within 3–6 months of consistent drilling. Mastery — the ability to execute reliably in live rolling against resisting opponents — typically takes 1–2 years.
Is Competition Game Planning effective for beginners?
Yes. Competition Game Planning is part of the core BJJ curriculum and taught at all belt levels. Beginners should focus on the fundamental mechanics and concepts before refining advanced entries.
How often should I drill Competition Game Planning?
3–5 times per week is ideal for rapid skill acquisition. Even 10 focused repetitions per session compounds over time — consistency matters more than volume.
What positions connect to Competition Game Planning?
BJJ is a linked system. Competition Game Planning flows naturally to and from related positions. Study transitions in both directions to build a complete positional game.
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
For white belts, a simple competition game plan focuses on establishing dominant positions. Prioritize securing a takedown to top position, or if you start on the bottom, focus on achieving a sweep to get on top, always aiming to maintain a stable base with hips low and chest pressure to control your opponent's center of gravity.
Against a larger opponent, your game plan should emphasize leverage and angles over brute force. Focus on maintaining a tight guard to prevent them from passing, using your legs to create space and 'climb' your hips to their shoulders, then explosively bridging or hip escaping to create an angle for a sweep or submission, ensuring your grips are secure on their limbs.
To avoid being controlled, your game plan needs to prioritize defensive posture and escape mechanics. When in a bad position, focus on creating space by extending your hips away from your opponent's pressure, using your hands to frame against their body to prevent them from collapsing your structure, and then explosively shrimp or bridge to re-establish guard or escape to a neutral position.