Rolling with bigger players

**Beenjitsu** · Posted On: 6/28/2011 10:48pm

Hope this an appropriate place to post this, I couldn't find a dedicated BJJ forum on Bullshido.

I got worked over at BJJ last night by some of the bigger players. Heavy pins and just getting steamrollered from the starting position (kneeling).

I was just wondering what might be an appropriate starting tactic when rolling with larger players. I figured pulling guard and then working for a sweep or guard submission might be best. This would hopefully somewhat nullify their weight advantage. I managed a simple cross collar choke twice from the guard, but otherwise just got manhandled...

Cheers for any advice.

A.

**Mas** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 12:49am

How long ya been trainin'?

**Beenjitsu** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:00am

Only a few months. I have no open guard technique etc just the basics. I googled my question "rolling with bigger guys" and posts I saw suggested arm drag and take the back, or various open guard/ spider guard combos. That's all a bit above where I'm at. I'm just after a basic strategy at this point to avoid getting crushed from the word go.

A.

**DKJr** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 2:29am

At a few months trying to pull guard and sweep/submit or survive and escape is par for the course. Getting manhandled is part of the process.

**blackmonk** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 11:40am

Yeah, you're doing fine. It'll be quite some time before you can avoid getting mashed.

However, I find that there are certain positional advantages you can look for when rolling against bigger guys, and a few general concepts. I'm 155lbs, so I used to encounter this all the time.

One is to not ever let them get settled. Once a big guy is able to sink his hips on you, it's a terrible time trying to get out. Another strategy I like to use is keeping his torso and hips at a distance, so that way they can't sink their hips, either. This might involve working footlocks, aggressive top game, or of course, playing guard.

**rangerdavy** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 12:10pm

The best advice for this has already been given: Keep training.

From a more practical standpoint, I would suggest not starting in the kneeling position. While you can work grips, some sweeps and a few other elements starting from the knees, as a white belt I found it much more beneficial to start in a solid position and work from there. For example, have your partner start on the top of side control, and once you tap or escape, switch so you have top and he has bottom. This way you are working the escapes and positions that are core to jiu-jitsu, and you get a chance to work your offense as well. As you improve, you should work towards starting on your feet, and developing takedowns and takedown defense.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:37pm

Combat base and make them work guard.

**Res Judicata** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:42pm

Originally Posted by WhiteShark

Combat base and make them work guard.

Now that's good advice. I'm moderately big (~205lbs) and I'd much, much rather be on top. Making bigger guys work guard usually puts them out of their comfort zone.

**Res Judicata** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:52pm

[Refresh error/double post]

**Matt Phillips** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:59pm

Originally Posted by Res Judicata

Now that's good advice. I'm moderately big (~205lbs) and I'd much, much rather be on top. Making bigger guys work guard usually puts them out of their comfort zone.

Agreed. I usually have a size (but not skill) advantage against the people I roll with, and this is what I am trying my best to avoid every time. Bottom position tends to bring you down to just your skill level, as opposed to skill+size and strength on top.