Review of Competition Prep: Rules, Rounds, and Routine

Overview
Competition is just training with a referee and adrenaline. Good prep respects rule sets, round lengths, and routines that make fight day boring in the best way.

Who benefits
- First‑timers; hobbyists curious about a local comp; seasoned athletes wanting structure.

Pay‑off
You’ll train to the clock (5–10 minutes), practise score awareness, and script your A‑game: first grip, first takedown/guard pull, first pass/sweep. You’ll also rehearse weigh‑in, warm‑up, and mat calls so nothing surprises you.

Watch‑outs
- Foolish weight cuts sabotage performance—prioritise health.
- Ignoring advantages/penalties is leaving points on the table.
- Don’t debut a new guard on the day; stick to rehearsed chains.

Try this round
- Scenario rounds: 3 × 6 minutes starting 2 points down; practise score chasing sensibly.
- Ref calls: Partner shouts “2 minutes!” or “stalling!”; adjust pace.
- Warm‑up script: 10 minutes you can do anywhere—breath, mobility, activation, two takedown entries, guard pull practice.

Final word
Competition rewards rehearsal, not heroics. Make it familiar and you’ll move like it’s just another Tuesday.

-Chuk