Game plan.

EnjoyChoke

Interested in peoples take on this.

Do you have a preset game plan going into competition?
Do you visualise how your going to win or do you just go with the flow?
Do you have a pre-fight ritual?

dkdavey67

i'm at the novice stage with woefull take downs so at the moment its pull guard and sweep. I dont mind working with people in my half guard because i can normally sweep or go the back but it did'nt work well in the last comp so wont be trying that again. Competition really puts everything you think you know about your game out in the open,from skill to how much heart you have.
I suppose the longer you have been at it the more in tune with your own style you are.
i'm be interested in hearing the advanced lads take on this.

Burnt

Hi Enjoy choke

In general I don't have a game plan, as I often end up fighting against people I haven't seen compete before or never met before in competition.

If I know there is a strong chance of meeting a guy I know in an event I will train specifically for that opponent and develop a suitable plan but it's rare.

I visualises execution techniques from various situations as part of my training, but not in the immediate build up to a fight.

As for pre-fight rituals, nothing elaborate. I try to clear my mind immediately before stepping on to the mat, and do a few squat jumps to realise some
nervous energy.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I don't have a game plan as such, but coming up to competition I'll drill and drill Harai Goshi, Uchi Mata & Osoto Gara in Uchikomi and use Randori (free sparring) to practice my set ups and execution of the throws.

When I'm in the gym (weights & cardio) I always use a heart rate monitor and keep my intensity very high, digging deep and imagining what it feels when I'm fighting really hard, on the verge of gassing and I'll push on through.

On the day of competition - (don't laugh) I rub a Buddha's belly seven times clockwise before leaving the house (he's a big lad on the bottom of my garden) and I listen to 'DJ Tiësto - lord of trance' for its lyrics, during warm up.

Mat side (before stepping on to fight) I kiss my daughter, say 'Love you princess' ("love you Dad, don't get hurt") & I'm completely calm from there on.

EnjoyChoke

Enrique Late Arcade wrote: »

On the day of competition - (don't laugh) I rub a Buddha's belly seven times clockwise before leaving the house (he's a big lad on the bottom of my garden) and I listen to 'DJ Tiësto - lord of trance' for its lyrics, during warm up.

Love it!

NG-DOC

EnjoyChoke wrote: »

Interested in peoples take on this.

Do you have a preset game plan going into competition?
Do you visualise how your going to win or do you just go with the flow?
Do you have a pre-fight ritual?

This is a great question

I think a game plan is crucial to success in any sort of competition and would highly advise anyone who competes, especially in martial arts, to use one.

Visualization is an essential component to success, and goes hand in hand with having a game plan. Being able to see yourself performing moves, being successful with them, and having your hand raised at the end have all been proven at the highest level of sport to be beneficial. if not one of the main reasons for success.

Equally, having rituals are paramount to success in sport. Routines are what make things possible during massive pressure situations such as competition. Just watch Ronan O Gara take a place kick, Tiger Woods tee off or Anderson Silva after he touches gloves and goes back to his corner. All have a specific routine that they go through every time they must perform.

Gameplans, visualizations and rituals are all in my opinion essential to success in any sport, not just martial arts.

So to answer the questions, yes, I do all of the things you mentioned

EnjoyChoke

My own take on it.

I always have a "plan" in my head before each match to get me through the opening stage. I will have decided beforehand whether I'm going to takedown, counter or pull guard. I also like to have it in my head what the immediate follow up options are. Sometimes the plan gets executed sometimes it doesn't but I find it relaxes me in any case.

Just before stepping on the mat I'll visualise beating my opponent and picture what sweeps and submissions I'll catch them with. Before it kicks off I have a slapping ritual, face-thighs-face that I feel strangely compelled to do

On the run up I always have two voices in my head. One thats convinced I'm going to lose and one that's equally convinced of the opposite! To drown out the negative one I listen to Fight Like Apes "lend me you face" or the chase song from Last of the Mohicans

EnjoyChoke

NG-DOC wrote: »

This is a great question

So to answer the questions, yes, I do all of the things you mentioned

Detail please!

Burnt

NG-DOC makes some excellent points, good sports physcology is
very important to be successful. A excellent little book that deals
with this or more specifically the physcology of winning, though you
have to think about it, is The Hustler by Walter Tevis. I would highly
recommend, everyone who wants to compete seriously should read
it.


I should have mentioned I was writing form the perspective of an
average club judoka. Judo matches can and do end in 2/3s, it is hard
to be as methodical at club level as BJJ or others, in particular
against unknown opponents. You can build up sets of movements
and muscle memory as Makikomi describes, and practice controlling
the pace of the match. But alot to the time throws just flow or
happen out of reflex, the victor often won't even really know what
happened. I suspose it would be coming close to the "mushin no
shin" ideal.

Maybe Makikomi or Sid could comment on their experience abit on
this. Or maybe Luke if he felt like it.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Burnt, I'll think about that one and get back to it instead of just firing from the hip with a reply.

lukeyjudo

Speaking from international judo experience all my medal wins came from having developed a game plan that me and my father (my coach also) developed for me over time!

It wasn't based on winning or losing it was based on techniques. My favourite and most successful technique was side sum gaeshi, I have two or three entries for it and several different branches of techniques off it based on my opponents reaction. We built my style around this and a small number of other throws and attacking the turtle position in groundwork.

It worked really really well. I would go out, the second the fight started go for my biggest strongest throw commit to it 100% and if I didn't get it I would go down through all my techniques and eventually one of them would get through and I would win.

That was the plan. Simple and effective. But it involved an awful lot of mat time and drills drills drills against 100% in co operative partners that would break your heart but ultimately pay off in competition where it matters.

lukeyjudo

Stupid iPhone! I have to post again!

Just on that im currently learning so much in bjj at the moment that I don't know enough techniques to start refining them to have as detailed a judo game plan as I have, so so far my bjj game plan is to simply win.

Another point for all the judoka that you may consider for competition, myself and my father don't believe in uchikomi. Once your at a certain level it's useless training against a non reacting, non resisting dead opponent.

You're better off doing drills against alive opponents so it's best to mimic competition scenarios.

I also have a slapping routine I learned off a good friend Ross Dolan who was Irish judo champ before me! gets me in the zone and ready to go a lil crazy

lukeyjudo

Last post on this, good topic by the way!

I agree with NG-DOC visualisation was a huge part of my game, i would always visit the venue and step on the mat the night before the competition so when I was back in the hotel I could relax and visualise my game plan working. What's more important to "seeing" yourself winning I think is "feeling" yourself winning. For instance feeling exactly what your favourite technique feels like and going over it with a positive mental Attitude and a belief in yourself.

Then on the day, I wouldn't worry about winning only about doing my best. And more often than not my dad would say "all you can do us do your best. And I believe your best is good enough to win" and that would be me, ready!

NG-DOC

a lot of interesting posts, i don't really know where to start!

Firstly i completely agree with everything luke has said, he basically put into words exactly how i feel someone should best prepare for competition. What you said about having a specific move you liked and working your entries and situations around that move is a perfect example of a good game plan, and it's something you can see more and more at the highest level.

I heard lloyd irvin talk about a study he did (or read can't remember) of high level judo. He said that all of the top players only did between 1 to 2 throws. This is the exact same in BJJ. If you look at any top player, you can nearly always name the moves they are best at. Marcelo Garcia constantly hits arm drags, roger gracie consistently takes mount and cross chokes, and a more modern example would be rafael mendes who is now able to dominate using his de la riva/reverse de la riva/50/50 combinations. All luke said falls in line with this. having your strong positions and getting to them as quickly as possible.

While i certainly don't have the international experience luke does, i always have a set gameplan. I constantly try to relax, control my breathing and see myself pulling off every step of the plan, trying to imagine how each position will 'feel'. I also have one or two songs that i'll listen to.

The most interesting thing to me that luke mentioned was this concept of 'feeling' yourself winning and doing things. I was lucky enough to get to train with Gunnar Nelson over the weekend, and several times while teaching he alluded to this idea. he spoke of it as a kind of excitement, similar to that feeling when it's really cold and you shiver with the hairs standing up on your neck. A fairly abstract concept to appreciate but i think i understood what he meant!

oh and lend me your face is a great tune!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Lukey puts into words the type of thoughts consume me when there's a competition or grading coming up.

Even outside of the judo club, for example on the cross trainer, in my minds eye I could be winning with a sweet Harai Goshi - going through how I'm feeling approaching the mat, feeling my opponents strength, faints & bamm the entry and ippon - so in effect I've probably a game plan of sorts.

Since I'm still competitive and a few points of my BB I'm not going into my favourite entries for throw's, as they've been working for me and no point putting 'em out for all to see.

From my army training I'm a great believer in using audio/visual aids as part of training, most esp. fight preparation. I know who's Judo works for me, it could be an individuals grip fighting or how they set up (for example) Osoto Gari and will bring that to the mat & Uchikomi.

Really I use uchikomi for refining the finer points of a technique, getting the feel of breaking balance for a given throw - or feeling exactly where my power is on another throw and I'll build on these until its muscle memory, the benefits here (for me) are what I wanted to get back to 'Burnt' with - the competition and what works..

A few years ago I couldn't have told you what technique me or my opponent had used for a (for me) defeat or win - it was a blur. A few years back at an Irish Open I won with what I could have sworn was a Harai Goshi, walked off the mat and everyone was raving about a beautiful Uchimata - I was adament I'd used Harai Goshi until I seen the video clip of it - and there I was scoring ippon with my first ever successful uchimata in competition!.

And that brings me back to uchikomi. By combining my audio/visual aid training, uchikomi, coaching (John Doughlas & Donal Tannam) I'm at the level now where once I missed throws because I thought for a second 'is it on' - then it was gone - to 'feeling' the moment is right & the opponent isn't there any longer, just grip/balance/execute - IPPON (yea I'm taking a bit of licence with that )

arybvtcw0eolkf

NG-DOC wrote: »

The most interesting thing to me that luke mentioned was this concept of 'feeling' yourself winning and doing things. I was lucky enough to get to train with Gunnar Nelson over the weekend, and several times while teaching he alluded to this idea. he spoke of it as a kind of excitement, similar to that feeling when it's really cold and you shiver with the hairs standing up on your neck. A fairly abstract concept to appreciate but i think i understood what he meant!

oh and lend me your face is a great tune!

Thats amazing, I was going to use almost the very same words earlier in the post & thought 'nah, the lads will think I'm off my head'.

I've had that too, sometimes so strong its like a rush through your body - its an amazing feeling.

Tim_Murphy

EnjoyChoke wrote: »

Interested in peoples take on this.

Do you have a preset game plan going into competition?
Do you visualise how your going to win or do you just go with the flow?
Do you have a pre-fight ritual?

Yes to all of these.

da-bres

Like most people, I do a set warm up and rotational exercises before a match.

One thing ive taken from BJJ training more than anything is to work on posture, I like to get into the different postures and visualise passing, sweeping, defending.

If you like competing, everytime you step on the mat to fight is like christmas, I usually try to smile and be happy for the following reasons:

1. Its respectful to your opponent/event
2. Im very appreciative towards anyone I fight, They are helping me grow as a fighter.
3. Its the funnest thing I know!:)
   
   Gameplan at my stage is always the same , pull guard, work sweeps, de la riva, butterfly, spider etc, Get top and work for chokes.
   

The other method is: SMASH!

Barry.Oglesby

Before every competition I really want to win, about 3/4 weeks out I sit down and draw a flow chart for myself. It's simple enough, just the 3 ways I'm going to win from 3 different situations. So say [single leg]->[pass]-> [keylock] -> [if he counters, armbar] for example.

With my athletes, I do something similar but I don't show them the charts as I want to look like Yoda and seem to be coming up with this **** off the top of my head. I find the flowchart helpful but I know others would find it messy and I know guys who write things down, others who just do the visualisation on it's own without visual cues.

In short, yes, I plan. Of the good guys, I doubt there's too many not planning and if they aren't I bet someone is doing it for them, like Luke's Dad did for him.

Clive

For BJJ and sub wrestling I don't plan or have any rituals.

For MMA I have a general game plan, and a specific strategy for each opponent. I used to have a lucky t-shirt, but then I lost it, so now my only ritual is not to, em, complete my expression of love for five days beforehand.

I actually have more ritual and routine relating to cutting weight than fighting.

Barry.Oglesby

Clive wrote: »

For MMA I have a general game plan, and a specific strategy for each opponent. I used to have a lucky t-shirt, but then I lost it, so now my only ritual is not to, em, complete my expression of love for five days beforehand.

You don't watch Angels Tv for 5 days beforehand?

EnjoyChoke

Clive wrote: »

For BJJ and sub wrestling I don't plan or have any rituals.

For MMA I have a general game plan, and a specific strategy for each opponent. I used to have a lucky t-shirt, but then I lost it, so now my only ritual is not to, em, complete my expression of love for five days beforehand.

I actually have more ritual and routine relating to cutting weight than fighting.

I'm not sure you count in this disscussion Clive, given the fact that your an emotionless husk. I don't think I've ever seen you happy to win or dissapointed to lose.

EnjoyChoke

Barry.Oglesby wrote: »

Before every competition I really want to win, about 3/4 weeks out I sit down and draw a flow chart for myself. It's simple enough, just the 3 ways I'm going to win from 3 different situations. So say [single leg]->[pass]-> [keylock] -> [if he counters, armbar] for example.

With my athletes, I do something similar but I don't show them the charts as I want to look like Yoda and seem to be coming up with this **** off the top of my head. I find the flowchart helpful but I know others would find it messy and I know guys who write things down, others who just do the visualisation on it's own without visual cues.

In short, yes, I plan. Of the good guys, I doubt there's too many not planning and if they aren't I bet someone is doing it for them, like Luke's Dad did for him.

Really? Can you show us a visual of what you mean?
If your taking the piss, I apologise in advance for being thick!

Barry.Oglesby

EnjoyChoke wrote: »

Really? Can you show us a visual of what you mean?
If your taking the piss, I apologise in advance for being thick!

Not taking the piss. Also not showing you one of my secret game plans, we're in the same division now!

It's actually very simple. The flowchart is a visualisation method in the same way as Darragh was talking. Some people use very visual imagery of their game plan and imagine their way through it. I've never found that helpful, but I have found the flowchart helpful. It shouldn't look like you're computer programming, just enough to guide you through the things that you want to happen in the match.

So let's say:
Start ---> pull guard ---> one of 3 sweeps ---> side control ---> one of 3 submissions
And in between you have your "ifs", the first of which might be:
he pulls guard first---> pass guard then you draw your arrow to side control and so on.

If there was some sort of pen function on this screen I'd draw you one.

SDTimeout

While i love the idea of a game plan going into a fight i think mixed martial arts in it self in that anything can happen is what makes fighting a great thing.

Take today in BJJ just simple posturing back to break a leg hold from the guard. Making the L shape and posturing back again, then try stop him or reverse it if you are on the bottom. My friend was trying to get the L and had to lift his foot. It's in that split second you realize what your taught will keep him nullified but if you hook your arm under his leg from that position it's quite easy to sweep and end up in full mount. That means from pulling guard you have advanced to something that in your game plan from pulling guard could have taken you a couple of moves.

It's the little things like that which makes me enjoy it so much.

In terms of a fight i can't wait for my first one so if i win it i can re do my exact ritual of whatever i done on that day and proclaim it good luck!!

EnjoyChoke

Barry.Oglesby wrote: »

So let's say:
Start ---> pull guard ---> one of 3 sweeps ---> side control ---> one of 3 submissions
And in between you have your "ifs", the first of which might be:
he pulls guard first---> pass guard then you draw your arrow to side control and so on.

Reminds me of the game plan I had for my first competition:

Start ---> pull guard ---> Armbar ---> if that fails ---> Panic!!!!