Words: Daniel Faggella · Photos: Kenny Jewel
If the pen is mightier than the sword, we might sometimes say that even in a physical game like Jiu Jitsu, there are times when the mind is more powerful than the body. Here I’m not just referring to the mental aspects of technique and strategy, but to the aspect of the game often called ‘mentality.’
Different fighters, however, have different dispositions and different energy levels at which they operate in competition time.
Someone like Justin Rader (No Gi world champion, 2011) is likely to get amped up, jump up and down before a match, and go through his motions with force and directness.
Someone like Rafael Mendes (ADCC Champion 2009, 2011) is more likely to have a cooler pre-fight and in-competition demeanor, often having the same ‘contemplative’ expression throughout a high-pressure tournament match.
In this article, we’ll talk about three pertinent factors to “Psyching Out” opponents, as well as how these principles might be added into your game (and hopefully implemented at your next tournament).