Tarik Hopstock shares valuable insights for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors, especially those participating in International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) tournaments. With years of experience, Hopstock outlines common mistakes that athletes make and offers advice on how to avoid them.

1. Lack of Rules Knowledge

Hopstock emphasizes the importance of knowing the rules, particularly regarding allowed submissions and match durations. He warns, “the worst things that can happen is that you go there, you knee bar somebody, and you find out you weren’t supposed to knee bar, so you get disqualified.”

2. Mat Area Awareness

He advises competitors to be aware of the mat area during fights. Trying to escape the mat to avoid a takedown or submission can lead to penalties or disqualification. Hopstock clarifies, “if it’s very obvious that I’m trying to escape the mat area… then I get disqualified and he gets the win.”

3. Illegal Grips

Hopstock points out a common mistake of grabbing inside the gi, specifically the sleeves or pants, which is penalized in IBJJF competitions. He advises training to always grab the outside of the fabric to avoid such penalties.

4. Securing Scoring Positions

Hopstock stresses the importance of securing positions before moving on, especially for white belts. “You get eager, and then you start moving around… if I just stayed here for a little bit longer and got those three points… there’s no points for [the opponent] if he sweeps me.”

5. Wrestling Up at the Wrong Time

He discusses the trend of ‘wrestling up’ from guard positions and the strategic timing required for it. Mistiming can lead to the opponent pulling guard again, leading to repeated sweeps and point loss. “Don’t make the mistake of just standing up when you know the guy is just kind of tactically win over you that way.”