Tournaments

[BadgerFu57]

How long does it take before one is ready to compete in a white belt tournament?

I have been training for about 4 months and have a small wrestling background (junior high). I look forward to competing, does anyone have any advice, tips, or comments?

[wardancer]

Go for it.
How often did you 'roll' (spar)? twice a week with different opponents for the last 4 months? Then you should be ready to compete.
The concept is that you will part of the fighting team of your club and that should provide you with moral support and respect from others. Of course, that should go both ways!
The idea is to compete in hope of winning but think of it more as a real opportunity to test your learned skills under the stress of a competition against unknown opponents.
Have fun!
Try to work on your stand up fighting moves.
Most fighters do not realize that sue to time limit, you have only 5 minutes to score as many points possible..
sometimes, a fight is won by a single sweep (2 points)..
Competitive BJJ fights usually are won by points and not submission.
Especially when two fighters are of the same level, they can usually 'block' the other submissions moves.
Study the BJJ rules and ask questions to your instructors about the points system in BJJ.
For exemple you could surprise your opponent with a sweep and a mount (2+4 points), and then keep away from him..forcing him to attack..then just keep him on your closed guard until the end of the fight..

[CKD]

For a strategy, try some standing submissions, a lot of people seem to try to hard to get a throw or takedown that they are vunerable to a standing armbar or choke. I think if you go aggressive for submissions standing up it might throw some people of there game. Carley Gracie used this tatic to great success. You could cross train in judo for throws but a lot of adaptions have to be made. In BJJ you have to land them into a dominant position while in judo the goal is just to get them down. I would suggesst a video also.

[wardancer]

Judo is good for throws/sweep: you will score 2 points for a sweep.
If you submit your opponent: You win (no matter how many points he is leading).
A knee on the stomach : 3 points.
etc...ask you instructor about the points..