Injury risk in different competitions

[skribs]

I'm thinking that I want to try some of the non-IBJJF competitions soon in order to get more experience competing. One of my big issues with IBJJF is so far my competitions have been one-and-done, and I haven't even remotely had a chance to do much jiu-jitsu. My first competition I was taken down early and smashed under mount most of the round, my second comp I got caught in an armbar 10 seconds in.

Grappling Industries, World Jiu-Jitsu League, and NAGA all have competitions in my area and all have a ruleset that guarantees multiple matches, either through double elimination, loser's bracket, or round robin. These would be great for me to get more experience at once. However, I'm also noticing the list of allowed techniques is longer, and I'm wondering if there's higher risk of injury in these events.

 

[Simfers]

If you mention your desire to compete in those competitions to your instructor, they will likely be more than willing to spend some class time going over the less familiar techniques (I'm guessing leg locks mostly). The increased risk mostly comes from unfamiliarity leading to either not realizing the danger or recognizing it but panicking and reacting poorly.

And of course, if you get caught, tap early. It's only a tournament, after all.