Skinny guy BJJ
Does anyone have any recommendations for specific techniques, guards, etc., for me as a skinny guy as I move past the fundamentals and try to build my own game? I’ve found that when I look this up online the advice is always based around really strong short guys or lanky 6’4” guys with really long legs. I’m only 5’10 with average length legs. Basically I’m asking for advice on how to best tailor my game for the fact that I am usually outweighed by at least 20lbs when rolling in class or open mat.
Ps- I’m already working on bulking up, but I have a small frame, so eventually my size will peak and I will still have to deal with bigger guys.
14 Comments
Maybe Emily Kwok has some answers. She filmed a series on the subject and is a GG expert.
I’m very thin but but average height (6ft). Low level blue belt. I have found some success with De La Riva and believe it or not, closed guard.
I would HIGHLY recommend you check out Jonathan Thomas' and Andris Brunovskis' guard courses.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://grapplersguide.com/second-portal/lms/courses/find?type=expert&user=Jonathan+Thomas
[URL unfurl="true"]https://grapplersguide.com/second-portal/lms/courses/find?type=expert&user=Andris+Brunovskis
Ok! I’ll get to work!
Most guards will work for you and at your size almost everything should work. If you're going against people larger than you however, guard retention and inversions might be useful. Check out any small guy fighting someone larger than them and study their strategy. There are of course differences in approaches, but there are a lot of commonalities also. I'd recommend Mikey Musumeci, Caio Terra and Marcelo Garcia.
At what point should you start tailoring your game? I’m a white belt, should I start tailoring a preferred game at this point?
Brooksdriver, post: 60447, member: 33215
At what point should you start tailoring your game? I’m a white belt, should I start tailoring a preferred game at this point?
The sooner the better in my opinion. Once you start "liking" things then start working to continue doing them and building around them.
Fellow medium height low weight guy here. Although Marcelo Garcia has a very different build (short and stocky) I found his techniques to be very effective for me against bigger and stronger opponents. The way he plays butterfly guard, single leg x-guard, and back control in particular have worked well for me.
Brooksdriver, post: 60447, member: 33215
At what point should you start tailoring your game? I’m a white belt, should I start tailoring a preferred game at this point?
You should always be building your game around what works for you. Just don't fall into the trap of limiting yourself to just an A Game, always be open to adding new options for yourself
I am a smaller older black belt. For the bottom game I love half guard, butterfly half, butterfly, DLR and RDLR. I find that these guards keep me from getting smashed and offer easier paths to sweep and wrestle up so that I can be on top or on their back which is the best place for smaller people to be. Also leg locks and other submissions from bottom are more easily found from these guards for me.
when on top I prefer a Movement based game. I like crucifix a lot as a control position. Knee on belly and switching between side control and mount as they are trying to escape will help you not get rolled as easy when trying to control larger opponents.
I definitely want to look into adding more butterfly and DLR to my game after seeing your post. Thanks for the response.
Kenjitsu, post: 60758, member: 16628
I am a smaller older black belt. For the bottom game I love half guard, butterfly half, butterfly, DLR and RDLR. I find that these guards keep me from getting smashed and offer easier paths to sweep and wrestle up so that I can be on top or on their back which is the best place for smaller people to be. Also leg locks and other submissions from bottom are more easily found from these guards for me.
when on top I prefer a Movement based game. I like crucifix a lot as a control position. Knee on belly and switching between side control and mount as they are trying to escape will help you not get rolled as easy when trying to control larger opponents.
Mind how much space you leave when passing gaurds.
Note that you have some sharp blades! Top half guard darce chokes, guillotines everywhere, calf slicers, bicep slicers...rip those!
Play offensive guard alot and learn some leg locks.
kimbah805, comment: 84, member: 31337
I’m intrigued that you’ve found half guard to be one of the best positions on bottom when going against a much heavier and stronger opponent. I felt like big guys can use their weight and strength against me more from half guard passing than other guards. The head and arm half guard pass in particular seems very high percentage when done against a significantly weaker and smaller opponent.
You have to develop a good frame, don’t allow them to get the underhook and keep them off your head. I found using a higher knee shield, in the shoulder, was a game changer. Watch Rafa Mendez rolling with Jake Shields on YouTube. Rafa uses this type of half guard a lot in that roll. You also need to be able to transition to sit up guard or DLR/RDLR when necessary and learn to wrestle up. Also be offensive and active with the guard. It should be an attacking position not a defensive position.