Marcelo gives his class advice on competing well: Focus on specifics to obtain your goal. Thinking about losing or the pressure of its repercussions doesn't help. Start with simple things first; stance and footwork, grip-fighting skills, and strategies based on the relative size of your opponent. Consider how you might circumvent stalling tactics if you happen to recognize them early on in a match. Let your mind concentrate on formulating sequences that will help you finish a fight. Prune away at your thoughts and rid yourself of any irrelevant factors that might try to creep in right before you step out on the mat. Creating a strong momentum early on with adaptive and connected techniques will help prevent your opponent from mounting their own offense against you. Know when to change what you are trying to make work if it happens to fail repeatedly. Listen to your coaches for things that you might not be able to see happening to you from your perspective; sometimes you can find a path towards victory despite previous setbacks if you are willing to change accordingly.