Choosing the right style of grappling based on body type

[meskaline]

Dunno if this has been asked before, but I was wondering if there were specific body types that excel at different grappling styles, as in for example someone with a long torso and arms but short legs would be good at wrestling or bjj due to low center of gravity but less good at judo due to throwing being harder, something along those lines.

I know that in the end there are all sorts of body types even at the elite level and that it isn't a super significant thing, but I just wondered if there are specific body types that have a natural advantage at certain specific styles over others?

 

[Turtlepawah]

Yes there is, but grappling style is not something you "chose". It is something that develops naturally by years of training when the moves you drill and use during sparring succesively becomes integrated to you your body's movements.

But yes, basically the lighter you are, the more guard based you game will be and vice versa, and the longer limbs you have the more you will rely on creating and using space instead of tightness, and vice versa. Of course there are exceptions, but that seems to be the general rule.

 

[chunglii]

Long legs: Guard

Short legs: Not guard

 

[snakeybizz]

Long legs: Guard

Short legs: Not guard

crawl atop me and say that to my face in my guard u lil bish ha

 

[Einarr]

In terms of wrestling vs Judo I think bigger guys are better suited to Judo, smaller guys to wrestling. In terms of BJJ smaller guys are better at guard, bigger guys should focus on top game.

 

[Gentle Giant]

In terms of wrestling vs Judo I think bigger guys are better suited to Judo, smaller guys to wrestling. In terms of BJJ smaller guys are better at guard, bigger guys should focus on top game.

what? really?

as a big guy I am too big to do proper hip throws! what throws in judo specifically are good for big guys?

 

[spelingmastir]

Solid moves are not attribute based. You will find that you like some moves better than others in training. Go train.

 

[Was Exiled]

what? really?

as a big guy I am too bad at hip throws to do proper hip throws! what throws in judo specifically are good for big guys?

fixed that for you. Also judo isn't just hip throws.

 

[Einarr]

what? really?

as a big guy I am too big to do proper hip throws! what throws in judo specifically are good for big guys?

Uchi Mata, Harai Goshi. Osoto Gari.

 

[Hendo89]

Solid moves are not attribute based.

A solid move is one that works on good opponents.

Triangle is best example, very solid technique but really hard to hit if your a stumpy type.

 

[meskaline]

Initially when I wrote this thread by "style" I meant what type of grappling discipline one would choose (for example like BJJ or Wrestling or Judo etc...) depending on body type/proportions, but I am very interested in what you guys are saying about the style of delivery and techniques one uses in whatever discipline they practice.
So what techniques of and what grappling discipline would you guys say I would excel in being a 5'9 140-150lb guy who has the strength of someone a lot heavier, a low bodyfat percentage, long(ish) torso and arms and short strong ass legs?

 

[spelingmastir]

A solid move is one that works on good opponents.

Triangle is best example, very solid technique but really hard to hit if your a stumpy type.

This is a common complaint but can often be remedied by proper positioning. People dismiss moves too quickly without learning proper technique and putting in the time. I'm on the stumpy end of the spectrum, by the way.

 

[snakeybizz]

Initially when I wrote this thread by "style" I meant what type of grappling discipline one would choose (for example like BJJ or Wrestling or Judo etc...) depending on body type/proportions, but I am very interested in what you guys are saying about the style of delivery and techniques one uses in whatever discipline they practice.
So what techniques of and what grappling discipline would you guys say I would excel in being a 5'9 140-150lb guy who has the strength of someone a lot heavier, a low bodyfat percentage, long(ish) torso and arms and short strong ass legs?

ballet or possibly gymnastics if we are talking advantages

advantages in terms of grappling, you have none. your average height for your weight and you have pretty average weight for your height...to have some sort of advantage you need some sort of physical attribute obscurity...like a 6 ft 155 lbs lightweight with a 77 inch reach could be seen as advantageous and also a 5 ft 10 230lb heavyweight because they have obscure physical attributes...both bodies have disadvantages too

doesn't make a significant difference what you are anyway, technique trumps all

 

[meskaline]

ballet or possibly gymnastics if we are talking advantages

advantages in terms of grappling, you have none. your average height for your weight and you have pretty average weight for your height...to have some sort of advantage you need some sort of physical attribute obscurity...like a 6 ft 155 lbs lightweight with a 77 inch reach could be seen as advantageous and also a 5 ft 10 230lb heavyweight because they have obscure physical attributes...both bodies have disadvantages too

doesn't make a significant difference what you are anyway, technique trumps all

Well I am at single digit bodyfat, so I highly doubt that I am at an average build for my height. Also, I have unusually strong legs which cause me to pretty much be an immovable object for an adversary (I squat 400lbs for reps) so that could be considered a physical attribute, and they are short so my centre of gravity is lower which makes me have even more balance.

 

[Gojujutsu]

Well I am at single digit bodyfat, so I highly doubt that I am at an average build for my height. Also, I have unusually strong legs which cause me to pretty much be an immovable object for an adversary (I squat 400lbs for reps) so that could be considered a physical attribute, and they are short so my centre of gravity is lower which makes me have even more balance.

He didn't say you had an average musculature, just average weight and height. For the most part though you will compete against people close to your own size (not necessarily strength). You should choose a grappling discipline based on other factors such as availability, price, quality, etc. Grappling "style" will come as you figure out what works for you within that discipline.

 

[meskaline]

He didn't say you had an average musculature, just average weight and height. For the most part though you will compete against people close to your own size (not necessarily strength). You should choose a grappling discipline based on other factors such as availability, price, quality, etc. Grappling "style" will come as you figure out what works for you within that discipline.

Oh word I must have understood wrong, what I was trying to say with my last post is that (thanks to weight classes) I can really dominate most people my weight, because they are a lot weaker than me.

 

[tenktriangles]

Long legs: Guard

Short legs: Not guard

I used to think this was true. Then I learned to play guard correctly.