Big guys and big girls can have tremendous success in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But, it can sometimes be difficult navigating the BJJ landscape with all those lighter, smaller people who keep moving left-to-right like crazy. Who seem to be much more mobile than you are and who, in a way, kind of learn moves better than you do.
Here are 3 tips that will help you improve better as a “big person” on the mats.
TIP #1: RESIST THE URGE TO PLAY TOP GAME SO MUCH
If you’re a big guy or a big girl, then you’re probably going to be tempted to use that to your advantage and play top game as much as possible.
You should resist this urge. For, just by playing top position – wrestling people down and/or pinning them immediately – won’t help your game. Instead, train and develop your guard game. If you learn how to control your training partners with your guard, then your Jiu-Jitsu will be that much more complete.
TIP #2: BIG GUYS AND BIG GIRLS – USE TECHNIQUE OVER STRENGTH
Yeah, of course you should be using strength in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a physical sport and whoever tells you that strength (and size) don’t play an important role is either delusional or lying to you. However, as a big guy or a big girl, you need to learn how to use technique over size and strength.
For, sure, you’ll be able to bench press smaller training partners off of you. But what happens when you face someone who’s heavier than you are in competition? Then, your technique will prove to be much more important than strength. And size especially.
TIP #3: USE YOUR STRENGTH IN THE RIGHT WAY
When you know that you’re prioritizing technique over strength and size, then you can start using your muscles and weight to your advantage. But, they need to be used the right way… For, it’s not going to be enough to just lay on top of someone in order to pin them to the mats; you need to position yourself properly and, for example, pin their hips – so that the use of your size can make sense.
Which is why, yet again, technique is most important. You need it so that you can use your size and strength properly.
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