Training Advice

[BassAddict]

Basically, im the smallest guy in my gym heightwise and in weight. Im 16 about 5'6 and 117lbs and the person closest to my weight is 140. Ive only been grappling for 8 months no gi and 4 months of gi. I won the arizona bjj open at 126 lbs after only 1 month of training, took 3rd in no-gi at grapplers quest in vegas on dec 1 after 3 months of training, and then again on may 3rd but i also won my division in BJJ. My only problem is my takedowns. I find it hard to do takedowns correctly since most of the guys i roll with outweight me by a ton. Ive thought about buying a grappling dummy but decided not too and out of the two matches ive lost, its because of the 2 takedown points... Anyone have any advice on other ways to practice takedowns?

 

[krait]

I'd say stick to it. If you can get your takedowns developped to a point where you can defend or get takedowns on larger people then you'll be a monster when you compete at you own weight class.

I get my tubby ass thrown around all the time by guys that I outweigh by more than thirty pounds. It not all about shear size and strength for a takedown. Yes it absolutely helps. But its not the end all. Judo guys absolutely shred me.

Out of my own experience smaller guys on me tend to do better on me with trips and ankle picks. The straight single or double doesn't work on me too often with people that I am much arger than.

 

[BassAddict]

Im definitely sticking to it. I do find myself using ankle picks and trips. The only single leg takedown that i can do pretty well is the high crotch texas tee i just have a hard time getting low on the bigger guys. Its weird training with such bigger guys and then going to a competition. I always get nervous because im not used to rolling with kids my size even though training with bigger guys would work to my advantage.

 

[green_machine]

Does your high school have a wrestling team? That would be one good way to supplement your training with takedowns and control.

 

[BruinPride]

Hey Bass, sounds like I found my twin. I was just about your size when I started training (also won the 140 under at the first ever AZ championships in 2005), and four years later I'm still only 130 lbs.

First of all, there is no shame in pulling guard. But I understand that you want to develop your wrestling. As krait mentioned, ankle picks are golden for smaller guys. My favorite is an unchi-mata setup where you pick your opponent's far ankle after you get him off balanced with an uchi-mata attempt.

Another high percentage TD is an arm-drag to single leg. The trick to this one is literally sliding on your butt into your opp to get him off balance, leaving the leg at your discretion.

Lastly, work on developing explosive contractions of your legs. Start with un-weighted jump squats and lunges so you don't overbear your legs. And don't be afraid to use your weight "disadvantage" as an advantage. You're probably much more agile and mobile than your training partners. If you can't get the take down and are locked up standing, try and scramble to his back.

 

[BassAddict]

double post

 

[BassAddict]

Thanks bruin, Ive never really thought about going to the back from a standing lockup. I'll definitely try that later on this week!

And now for another question, while it may be a little off topic, At grapplers quest on may 3rd i got put in an armbar and i picked the kid up(got out of the armbar and won by my own armbar the next day my shoulder(on the back under the blade) was super sore and it gets a numb/stinging pain in it every once in a while, even when im not doing anything. So i took a week off from going to the gym and it didnt get any better at all. I dont think its muscle as its got plenty of rest. Anyone have any clue what it could be? Any advice on how to train with it?

 

[BassAddict]

My highschool has a pretty good wrestling team but i have a hard time balancing school and my mma training i dont think i could do wrestling on top of it thats the only thing.

 

[moochpb]

try to find some good wrestlers and help you...your shorter so you should have an easier time taking people down....just keep practicing shooting properly on no one...just do it in your gym over and over then go live

 

[Tim Goodwin]

My highschool has a pretty good wrestling team but i have a hard time balancing school and my mma training i dont think i could do wrestling on top of it thats the only thing.

wrestle during wrestling season, train mma the rest of the year. if you're planning on doing mma, its a stupid decision to not wrestle if you have the opportunity

 

[silverline122]

Im definitely sticking to it. I do find myself using ankle picks and trips. The only single leg takedown that i can do pretty well is the high crotch texas tee i just have a hard time getting low on the bigger guys. Its weird training with such bigger guys and then going to a competition. I always get nervous because im not used to rolling with kids my size even though training with bigger guys would work to my advantage.

Holy shit, you are a well-spoken 16 year old, lol

 

[IslandJJ671]

forget wasting ur time standing up and knowing your gonna get taken down. instead just sit on your butt and skoot toward your opponent and pull guard so u can get the match started and have the maximum amount of time to submit your opponent. because after all why waste ur time fighting standing up when ur gonna end up on the mat anyway and u spent how much money to register just to lose by takedown points....no no no! Oh BJ Penn Does it Kron Gracie does it, Eddie Bravo does it just to name a few.B][/B]

 

[BassAddict]

Thanks silverline haha! But Island, most of the time I do just sit to my butt or pull guard. The only downside to this is that since i am so small, everybody at my gym can just plow into me and then I'm stuck on bottom. Which is the least of my problems when I'm in guard but in side guard its hell with the 45lbs weight difference. Plus getting my takedowns would help me work on my top game which is lacking compared to on my back. Ive decided to do some explosive circuit training to see if explosiveness works to my advantage