1) I have to cut about 1.5 lbs. I plan on eating something for dinner that will pass (probably cereal), skipping breakfast, and making weight. What do you think?
Lose the weight before the comp so you dont have to cut. You need a good breakfast to have tons of energy. Losing 1.5 lbs should be easy. Stop stuffing your face
Eat just a little bit less each day and you should drop that fairly quickly. Avoid big dinners to drop fat.
2) Takedowns: Fight_song cranked my neck last night and I'm a little concerned about single legs, my normal go-to takedown. Do you have a favorite that doesn't involve controlling somebody with your head?
Your school is biased towards neck attacks. I wouldnt worry about the guillotine on the single leg from most people. Just practice it a little more. The white belts at the comps had bad takedowns and bad takedown defense. Keep your head high and drive hard and fast.
3) Subs: I've never done a BJJ competition bt I assume that guys wait a little longer before tapping to a choke and crank joint locks a little harder. Does this sound right?
Yes. They fight to the death. This is 50% mental. Never give up.
4) Any general advice you want to give me?
You gotta think strategy. READ THE RULES carefully and how they score!!!
Think in terms of points and pace and strategy.
If you get the back, you MUST get both hooks in to get the 4 points!!!
If you pass the guard, PAUSE and demonstrate control to get the 3 points before moving to the next position.
A match may go something like this....
take down +2 points
pass guard +3 points
you are now up 5 points on the guy. Take a break and rest. Do not lose the position. You are in the lead. He must now escape. Since its a comp, they will fight like crazy. This is good. Drive your weight and pin him and let him tire himself out, this is to your advantage.
Then think about mount or going for a sub.
People fight very hard so use this to your advantage and make them waste energy to get tired.
Now get full mount +4, you are now +9 points up and the clock is ticking and several mins have passed by, the guy has very little time left to get 9 points on you.
So he is going to try to upa you to the moon, lay flat and let him go nuts for a while knowing the clock is ticking and he must escape. When he gets tired, move on.
Dont focus on the sub too much and going crazy. #1 win the fight, #2 end by sub.
I only go for the sub if they give it to me. I dont waste energy trying to force a sub. Make him make a mistake but conserve your energy. Remember, you may have another 2-5 fights coming up. Dont blow your wad on the first match.
Keep the clock in mind and use it to your advantage. If you are ahead on points, TAKE YOUR TIME and let the clock run. Im not saying you should stall, stay active, but go slow and do not give up the position. The guy who is behind on points must force it and do something, but you dont have to. So he must expend tons of energy trying to change who is in the lead. Its easy to maintain your lead than to be behind and have to make it up.
GET THAT FIRST TAKEDOWN AT ALL COSTS!!!!!! +2 point lead from the start is huge.
Caveat: if your passing game sux and your guard game is great, then just pull guard.
NOTE: If someone is working a single leg on you, and you jump to guard, this is +2 points for your opponent! Only pull guard when he is not doing a takedown. Again, read the rules carefully. Pay attention to stuff like, no grips inside sleaves, cant grab a belt with both hands, etc. Learn what "advantages" are.
Thats all for now.
