Dirty BJJ

I am 5-11 and weigh approximately 265 (former competetive weightlifter). For the past 5 months that I was taking BJJ lessons. My performance went from bad to worse. When I started, I was using my power to basically overwhelm guys. Then one day (in the first month) I rolled with the master of the school, a Black Belt in Gracie JJ. At first I was muscling him but he easily made me tap a dozen times in about 15 minutes. It was a sad sight. I went home to Ice my arm and spent the whole next day massaging the soreness out of my neck.

He told me that I had to not rely on power as much as to learn the skills. I agree completely but when I roll now I get manhandled. By bigger guys, smaller guys teenaged white belts, etc. I feel helpless when I can't use my size and power. It is like telling Barry Bonds that Homeruns don't count. Then again when I apply an Ezekel choke to someone and squeeze with all I have, I feel like it is dirty Jiu Jitsu. Then again when a Blue Belt fights like he is fighting for a kidney transplant, cranks my arm in an armbar with all he has. I get really pissed and I spend the whole next day pissed and in pain.

My question to you guys. Is there a martial art that I can learn that I can utilize my size and power. BJJ is no fun anymore.

 

LOL

Sounds like you haven't been training for long. I'm a pretty big guy 6'4 235 and I was getting tapped and manhanlded by everyone and their grandmother when I first joined. It comes with practice. Get the notion that power means very little in BJJ, it's all about technique. THE POWER OF JOO JI ZOO

Lifting weights alone will not give you any functional strength or skill in any sport but weight lifting. It astonishes me that you think otherwise.

 

almost every time I use my power on these guys (White belts and some blues) they tap. Sometimes they get pissed and want to pick a fight because I caught them in a tight armtriangle that cracked every bone in thier necks. Then I get all apologetic and feel bad that I hurt them.

After watching guys with phenominal power like Jeff Munson or Ron Waterman I can see your point about weightlifting. Then again guys like Coleman and Arona who is built like a mini Ron Waterman utilizes thier power very effectively.

Maybe I should just drop BJJ and give Vale Tudo a try.

 

Damn, there is NO martial art that will utilize you strength and size, ummm maybe sumo wrestling lol. But the thing is, if you JUST use your size and strength every time you WILL get manhandled every time, no matter what Martial Art you happen to be in.

Stick with Jiu Jitsu, and learn the technique, you wont regret it in the long-run

 

Arona, Jeff Monson, and Coleman all use their strength and power and combine it with good/decent technique, they dont just go out there and go all buck wild and shit, they have to be aware of what they're doing and use technique as well. The same is with Vale-Tudo.

LEARN THE TECHNIQUE. Get some technique going and use your strength to supplement it.

 

haha, that's not a sad sight at all, It would be sad if you had beaten him. Keep on practicing.

 

the master wrecked you purposely. you can't just come into a martial art that emphasizes technique and be the meathead. Don't force your tap - use leverage and proper application to manipulate your opponent.

 

You're rolling to learn, not to win. Feel free to use your strength whenever you feel like it in a tournament, but when you're rolling, try and learn the technique and not worry about winning or losing.

 

Take your beating and pay attention to whats happening, now you are REALLY starting to learn. STart rolling really light then after a few more months, try bring a little power and aggression back into it and see how your go. Then back off and train light for a few months again.
I know how you feel about the "dirty bjj", you get the feeling that you are not respected because of your strength. If your are getting really distressed about rolling, just dont roll for a while, only attend the technique portion of your classes and learn good technique so you have some things to try in rolling again.
Strength works very well in bjj when complimented by experience and good technique.

 

I would have thought something like Kyojushin karate or Muay Thai

 

when they mean like dont rely on strength it doesnt mean get rid of it. Trust me if your stronger than the other guy u roll or wrestle with and u have the same experience its more than likely your going to win. All that ur instructor is probably saying is to get your technique on to speed with your strength. Not to just get rid of it and not use all ur strength. Good luck

 

well said

 

Remember the number one rule for starting BJJ: Leave your ego at the door.


Now, with that said remember that your strength is your best weapon but make sure you are properly using technique with it. Learn a guard pass, try it while rolling and be methodical. Don't try to just throw your partner's (notice i said partner, not opponent) legs out of the way. There is nothing wrong with learning to use your weight and strength to your advantage, but when training, try to use them without being overly explosive and exerting yourself. It's being really explosive and mauling your training partners that will keep you from making any friends in your school. Know your power, but use it with care and patience. Don't try to break dudes when you go for submissions; you're big, so you shouldn't have to. Also remember that experienced guys love tapping people like you out until you as we say, "mellow out." This applies to any hard sparring art


Oh yeah, and leave your ego at the door, you will get tapped and you will tap. If you're not tapping, find somewhere else to train

 

even better said

 

El Tiburon, in the long run your power and size will frustrate the hell outta most guys. You have to be patient. Learn your guard passes and improving position and you will notice a HUGE difference. You will be able to dominate even knowing few or no subs once you have mastered that above, provided you have the stamina to keep going.

 

Believe me I tap.

 

El Tiburon, if u need somewhere to use your strength to your advantage maybe wrestling would be a good place, i'm not sure if it would but some of my friends who are big strong guys have done well in wrestling.

 

haha, we all tap bro. if no one was tapping you, would there be any point in coming back? nope. I just got my ass brutalized this morning/afternoon - i mean, i got horribly neck cranked multiple times by a guy who had about 40 pounds on me, was way stronger, and had better technique to boot - it happens.

i had it explained to me like this once: all grappling movements rely on some biomechanical advantage - you attack and isolate the weakest points of a person's body with your whole body, or attack a person's point of balance, the weakest point of their position, etc. thats why these moves work even for smaller guys. then, AFTER you learn good technique you start to work your power back into the game, which makes you a monster because you then know how to use all your strength and power in the most effective and efficient way.

btw, it was kinda amusing to hear a big guy bitch about being too strong, ha. jk man, good luck stick with it.

 

Save the muscle for competition. It won't help you learn faster.

 

What a load of shit.