Troubles rolling with large people - Page 2

blackers10 · 11-08-2012, 01:41 AM

welcome to the world of being a feather weight

have fun....*laughs maniacly*

Skycosis · 11-08-2012, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cms9690

There's a guy in my class who is 6'5'ish and around 250, who has a strong wrestling background, who I have the biggest problem rolling with. He's older and I know he's far more experienced than myself, but my biggest problem is that I struggle with the size difference. He's not a in excellent shape or anything, he gets winded and tired out quite easily and often sits out during every other sparring match or just lays on his opponent. I'm not looking to dominate the fella', I just want to have more of a strategy next time we roll because right now I am just guessing on what works and what doesn't. What usually happens is he gets side mount or full mount and I just have to squeeze myself out from under the guy.

In short, I feel like the smaller guy trapped under Fatlardo Gracie.
What do you guys do to give yourself the advantage against taller/larger opponents who have that aggressive "I'm going to squish you with my stomach" mentality??

I feel you. Wrestlers have a tendency to leave themselves open for leg locks and head locks so I would just focus on those if I were you. Work you're arm-in guillotine/ modified guillotine triangle, and with leg locks it's heel hooks/ toe holds and use knee bars to sweep. I would also work on the modified x-guard from half guard if I was you so you can actually create some space.

Shemhazai · 11-08-2012, 08:38 AM

Like someone else said, as long as you're playing guard against guys larger than you (or against any opponent, IMO) you should be using your feet or knees as shields between you and your opponent, i.e. feet on hips, shins in biceps, feet on biceps/shoulders, butterfly hooks, X-guard etc.

Also, getting off to the side using arm drags, omoplatas, berimbolos etc. is never a bad idea either. Being on the outside is another way of preventing the opponent from putting his weight on you, and you can use the threat of different attacks (back takes and omoplatas especially) to make him concede the sweep.

I guess the short answer is just to use good jiu jitsu and not let him put you in shitty positions.

MindRipper · 11-08-2012, 08:43 AM

I'm a bigger guy (6'0 250Lber) with a wrestling background. Keep moving and make him work constantly is a good strategy.

Alot of more experienced smaller guys at my gym are good at hiding in deep half or using a slick back take and hanging out there for the roll.

Unipres · 11-08-2012, 09:25 AM

I'm in the 160's and occasionally roll with a body builder type in the 260's who has less experience than me but is strong as heck. I've have caught him in heel hooks and arm bars for the tap though I never seem to be able to take his back. One of my peers who is a similar size as me has done it though, so I keep trying.

It's frustrating at times because he doesn't want to loose to a little guy which means that I have to pretty much have to actually injure him to get to get my rare tap. He's so large that he once put his knee on my chest and the weight caused a fracture of my sternum. I still have a bump from the calcium deposit. I've caught him in a couple triangles but can't seem to lock it in properly plus he has no neck. Its literally wider than his head if you can imagine. The one time I thought I had the triangle good enough, he tensed up and I swear it would have broken my legs to keep it locked in. If we're not on a timer and I can stay relaxed enough and avoid getting crushed, his cardio will finally fail. Unfortunately when this happens, he'll usually call it before I have the satisfaction of really starting to dominate.

Despite all this, I enjoy the challenge. There's so much more satisfaction in seeing technique overcome power even if its somewhat rare, than just dominating small newbie every time.

Edison Carasio · 11-08-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindRipper

I'm a bigger guy (6'0 250Lber) with a wrestling background. Keep moving and make him work constantly is a good strategy.

Alot of more experienced smaller guys at my gym are good at hiding in deep half or using a slick back take and hanging out there for the roll.

I think this sounds good. I'm the same size, and I feel like guys that just try a conventional guard game will be smothered. Sometimes I feel like if guys would play more butterfly guard, push off my hips they could get out from under me easier. Your legs tend to be stronger than your upper body. I've had smaller guys escape to my back pretty easy before as they tend to be able to exploit those small openings easier.

BJJ_Rage · 11-08-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramsey Dewey

There's no magic solution to beating substantially larger, stronger opponents. It's always going to be an uphill battle. The strategies you use against fighters your own size won't be as effective against giant human beings.

But here's one simple tip to increase your chances:

-Do NOT let the bigger guy get on top- not even in your guard. If you don't want to get squashed, be the guy on top. Fight tooth and nail for top position.

You're next question is probably this: how do I get top position? The answer is simple: learn how to wrestle.

I cannot disagree more with this...

I do agree that you do not want the guy to get side control or even top half and flatten you out... but the guard was develop because there are sometimes where you will not be able to stop someone putting you on your back, and unless you are some kind of demi wrestler god, there is just very few chances that you are going to outwrestle a guy whos 50 pounds heavier and with wrestling experiece...

I feel like open guard and half guard work pretty well, spider too... I like to transition to deep half from half guard...

HIMBOB · 11-08-2012, 04:51 PM

I (6’1”165) rolled with a 6’8” 300 pound chubby guy (ie not fat) the other day. I am significantly more experienced than him (1year Vs 1-2 months) but I was seriously just happy to shut his game down, as he is just an exceptionally large human. I felt his balance was off a few times and tried to capitalise on it but....fuck he is an exceptionally large human I just couldn’t get him to move. We basically just went between half and full guard.

After reading this next time I think I will try the butterflys instead of closing my guard then opening to try things.(I would say 95% of people couldn’t close guard on a guy that big).

What do you guys think of just trying to stand against a guy so much bigger?

That was what I was going to try next time I roll with him as most agree “just don’t be on bottom”, so anything that involves you getting off the bottom is great even if you aren’t on top of him. I know its not the BJJ way really to disengage like that but I am not sure if I should care.

Edison Carasio · 11-08-2012, 06:01 PM

I'm a big guy and there used to be a guy who was about 6'3 and well in the 300 lb range and was strong as all get out. He was a former wrestler and I could neither close my guard or obtain mount. From guard he would get American's all day. Just grabbing my arm and dropping his weight on it and pinning it down. It was like grappling Manny Yarborough (SP?) if he knew wrestling.

esteven · 11-08-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIMBOB

What do you guys think of just trying to stand against a guy so much bigger?

That was what I was going to try next time I roll with him as most agree “just don’t be on bottom”, so anything that involves you getting off the bottom is great even if you aren’t on top of him. I know its not the BJJ way really to disengage like that but I am not sure if I should care.

I'm certainly no expert, but that seems like the sort of thing worth experimenting with, as long as it isn't considered a faux pas at your academy.