Beating the big man in BJJ (from a big man)

goatfury · September 16, 2012, 1:01pm

My big student contributed this article. I enjoyed reading it, and thought it would add some value to people rolling with bigger training partners. I've read lots of articles on this subject, but they are invariably written from the smaller person's perspective.

Hope you enjoy it!

Marion_Cobretti · September 16, 2012, 1:16pm

Or be able to put them on their backs. Phone Post

goatfury · September 16, 2012, 1:25pm

Marion Cobretti -

Or be able to put them on their backs.

A bit overly simplistic, don't you think?

matthias · September 16, 2012, 3:46pm

Thanks for the insight! Phone Post

goatfury · September 17, 2012, 1:01am

matthias -

Thanks for the insight!

Glad to help out! This was actually all my student's doing. He learned a great deal over the course of the year and a half or so he was with us.

X_Rated · September 17, 2012, 1:44am

As the resident smallest guy of every gym I've been to this is pretty funny haha. Passing the big man's guard is always an interesting experience Phone Post

goatfury · September 17, 2012, 9:39am

X_Rated -

As the resident smallest guy of every gym I've been to this is pretty funny haha. Passing the big man's guard is always an interesting experience

Best thing I can offer for this situation is: elbows in, and hips back at first (once the guard is open). Proceed with caution! :)

X_Rated · September 17, 2012, 10:18am

judogoat -
X_Rated - As the resident smallest guy of every gym I've been to this is pretty funny haha. Passing the big man's guard is always an interesting experience

Best thing I can offer for this situation is: elbows in, and hips back at first (once the guard is open). Proceed with caution! :)

I hear ya. It's hard I really need to learn to be more patient. It's even more difficult when my partner/opponent is content to endlessly break me down and work his overhook or sleeve and collar grips. I know it can be done, but I've more or less stopped trying to pass from a kneeling/sitting position entirely.

Leg drag has been working wonders. But yeah I have no problem being underneath the big guy, but any kind of closed guard or half guard game is giving me fits... Phone Post

Randy_Marsh · September 17, 2012, 1:20pm

I am big so I will subscribe to this thread to find out how you sneaky little munchkins think.

Meatgrinder · September 17, 2012, 2:45pm

Randy Marsh - I am big so I will subscribe to this thread to find out how you sneaky little munchkins think.

Good article.
I'm a 130lb brown belt. So here you go:

1. I prefer to play guard. It's like having my back against the wall. They can't push you back any further. No matter how good your top posture, distance, etc. A big/strong guy can toss sometimes just toss you.

2. Once my guard opens, I like to maintain the types of positions that keep my feet between us. Very active feet to offbalance him and adjust distance between us.

3. Your defensive positioning/framing should always be in a way that allows you to breathe. Pressure on your diaphragm will sap you quickly.

4. not exactly side control or N/S, but diagonal with the near arm wrapped is the best top control.

5. Be very good at going from one side to the other in side control and top turtle.

6. Consider the Risk % of a move and the position that failure would put you in....Do things where there is no loss if it doesn't work. (eg anaconda against turtle'd opp = very risky)

7. Think about moving yourself more than moving your opponent.

allchokedup · September 17, 2012, 3:45pm

mrgoodarmbar -
Randy Marsh - I am big so I will subscribe to this thread to find out how you sneaky little munchkins think.

Good article.
I'm a 130lb brown belt. So here you go:

1. I prefer to play guard. It's like having my back against the wall. They can't push you back any further. No matter how good your top posture, distance, etc. A big/strong guy can toss sometimes just toss you.

2. Once my guard opens, I like to maintain the types of positions that keep my feet between us. Very active feet to offbalance him and adjust distance between us.

3. Your defensive positioning/framing should always be in a way that allows you to breathe. Pressure on your diaphragm will sap you quickly.

4. not exactly side control or N/S, but diagonal with the near arm wrapped is the best top control.

5. Be very good at going from one side to the other in side control and top turtle.

6. Consider the Risk % of a move and the position that failure would put you in....Do things where there is no loss if it doesn't work. (eg anaconda against turtle'd opp = very risky)

7. Think about moving yourself more than moving your opponent.

i agree for the most part. I am most comfortable on my back.
with that being said i prefere to arm drag and find ways to the top or back with out having to use gaurd. Gaurd is my strong point but its more of a safty net for me.
#2 in your list is my go to game from bottom. Always adjusting hips feet and grips. Gives me fits when they control my legs. Keeping distance is name of the game.
#5 so true man. it just too easy for a big guy to move with me on top. I prefere side mount/knee on belly. Just stay a step ahead of the big man and you are fine.

If you are big and want to smash lil man. Control his legs, pass and dont give an inch of room.
im only a purple so take it FWIW

X_Rated · September 17, 2012, 4:07pm

Yeah I'm also comfortable on my back.. But my #1 priority always is to take the back Phone Post

shen · September 17, 2012, 5:33pm

"not exactly side control or N/S, but diagonal with the near arm wrapped is the best top control."

"Corner Hold", absolutely. I tell everyone the same thing.

goatfury · September 17, 2012, 10:32pm

Randy Marsh - I am big so I will subscribe to this thread to find out how you sneaky little munchkins think.

Fraternizing with the enemy. I love it!

Darbyh · September 18, 2012, 2:29am

Sub Phone Post

Shinsplint · September 18, 2012, 2:34am

Subbed for revenge.

Muffinho · September 18, 2012, 7:26am

If you can get a bigger opponent to pass standing, I think the Leandro Lo sweep (the one he does almost every fight) works very, very well.

iqwrestler · September 18, 2012, 12:54pm

shen - "not exactly side control or N/S, but diagonal with the near arm wrapped is the best top control."

"Corner Hold", absolutely. I tell everyone the same thing.

Near arm wrapping a leg? Phone Post

Meatgrinder · September 18, 2012, 1:20pm

Sub Reactor -
shen - "not exactly side control or N/S, but diagonal with the near arm wrapped is the best top control."

"Corner Hold", absolutely. I tell everyone the same thing.

Near arm wrapping a leg?

No... you wrap your arm under his arm pit and grab the back of his gi lapel...like you're about to go for a paper cutter.

demandango · September 19, 2012, 6:24am

In Phone Post