Guest post by James Duscio, a BJJ black belt under Walter Cascao Vital. He runs Cascao Evolution BJJ out of Las Vegas nv.
It cannot be denied that speed is a major factor in any combat sport, and with age, our speed decreases. This fact is sad, but true. The good news is that with our art, we have strategies and tactics that can counter this difference between us and the young lions that give us a fighting chance.
One of the most effective strategies for this situation is distance management. This applies to standing and ground, top and bottom. Speed needs space, take that space away and their ability to move fast is dramatically reduced. For the standing area, entering into an upper body clinch will be your best bet. Shooting in for the legs from any type of distance will almost always be negated by their faster sprawl. It’s much more difficult to avoid an upper body clinch, and once there you can transition to a plethora of takedowns with singles, doubles, throws, trips and even back takes. Give them space and their shots can be too fast, but in a clinch, your wraps, hooks and squeeze will keep them put until your ready. On the ground it’s the same concept, when on bottom half, butterfly or closed guard, wrap them up. No space given means no ability to explode, spin or posture.
For top position, the distance management strategy remains the same, but to bring its effectiveness up a level we need to add pressure. This includes pressure passing so their ability to go into a sports guard or scramble is taken away. And when you get into a controlling position, pressure needs to be applied with proper weight distribution, hip pressure, cross facing, and keeping them flat all while practicing patients. Once there, let the pressure force them into exposing a target. It would also be wise to choose submissions that doesn’t force you to ease off on your pressure. Any release of pressure or space can be the opening they need for escape.
Another weapon in my arsenal for slowing down young speed is simply training in the Gi. With all the grips, you can really slow your opponent down. I still train no gi, because I do agree that it is essential for being a well rounded grappler, but I do find myself putting on the gi more often then not the older I get. It definitely cuts the scrambles in half as well as giving me an easier connection while standing. In the gi you don’t need the clinch to gain control of your opponent, sleeves and lapels often do the trick just fine.
Train a little more often in the gi, your no gi takedowns and defense should primarily be done from the clinch (clinch of your choice), takeaway all space when your in bottom guards, pressure pass so they can’t scramble or get up and control dominant positions with strong wedges, pressure and proper weight distribution. These adjustments will defiantly make a difference and cut your younger, faster opponents advantage by a large percentage. And remember, the more expericance you get in our art, the better your ability will be to anticipate what your opponent wants to do and you can cut them off at the pass before the move even begins. Enjoy your rolls and competitions within your age group, but don’t avoid your training partners who have a physical advantage over yourself. Seek them out and challenge your game.
Build a strong passing game with over under passes and pressure building that grapplers of any age and level can use, no speed and no athleticism needed.
- Bernardo Faria won 5 black belt IBJJF World Championships using these systems – and now he teaches every detail so it can help you.
- Don’t ever rely on speed or scrambling as Bernardo shows you his systems for controlling the bottom opponent from many different guards and setting up your passes.
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