Do bigger guys advance faster in bjj?

[shamster]

Assuming a big guy and a small guy train with the same frequency and have similar backgrounds (little or no grappling experience). Would the bigger guy usually advance faster than the little guy in bjj?
I just ask because it seems like in my class, some of the bigger guys are making faster progress than me. I'm not sure if it's because it's easier for them to obtain and hold certain positions (such as side control and mount). I know in my case, certain things seem harder for me to do against most guys in the class, who seem to outweigh me buy 50+ lbs in some cases (I'm at 140 lbs). With the bigger guys, I have a harder time holding onto certain submissions, such as the armbar...it seems like they can often muscle their way out to an escape. And if I obtain a dominant position, it seems easy for them to toss me off, whereas I have a hard time escaping out from under them. At this point, I find myself having to try to stay one move ahead of them to not get caught.

Either I have to work extra hard to get better technique to make up for my lack of size/strength, or I just suck maybe.

[shasan]

Depends on how your instructor advances people. But generally if the skill level is equalized, the balance would tip in favour of the bigger stronger fighter.

[Eyegouge]

It's like wreslting man, a bigger guy is going to have an easier time controlling someone in a grappling situation. It's differnt though for you because you are going to learn, basically, a differnt style of BJJ as them. Just like if you were a wrestler. In wrestling, big guys learn allot of clinch fighting, and the little guys learn how to shoot and scramble.

[shamster]

Honestly, I'm not sure what the criteria is for advancing people. My instructor is very technical, so I'm sure he looks for good technique (he's Royler's US rep). Problem for me is I feel like I know as much or more than others at my level, but I'm not able to execute the moves as easily. For instance, it's pretty easy to sweep me if I'm inside your guard cause I'm light, and only recently have I been improving my base. However, even though I know the techniques of some sweeps, I have a hard time pulling it off against a big guy inside my guard when things are going full speed.
I suppose a bigger guy with the same level of technique as me is going to be tapping out a lot more people than me cause of the size and strength advantage.

[OmaPlata]

Rest assured you will advance faster if you tap out the big guys then they will by tapping out the little guys.

[danfaggella]

I seem to think that smaller guys rely less on strenth and pick u technique a bit quicker. But thats probably just an assumption, its about who wants to learn and who has the brain for that type of game of body mechanics.

You will learn quick, and you probably have been. However, if a 200lb guy and a 130lb guy both train in BJJ for 2 years, twice a week, then if they grapple, the big man will likely win due to size. This doesn't mean that the little guy has less SKILL, just less MASS. I grapple big fellows all the time, and I am beaten frequently because I weigh a mere 118lbs, not necissarily because of inferior skills.

[OmaPlata]

Originally Posted by danfaggella

I seem to think that smaller guys rely less on strenth and pick u technique a bit quicker. But thats probably just an assumption, its about who wants to learn and who has the brain for that type of game of body mechanics.

You will learn quick, and you probably have been. However, if a 200lb guy and a 130lb guy both train in BJJ for 2 years, twice a week, then if they grapple, the big man will likely win due to size. This doesn't mean that the little guy has less SKILL, just less MASS. I grapple big fellows all the time, and I am beaten frequently because I weigh a mere 118lbs, not necissarily because of inferior skills.

Yea it sucks to know exactly what to do and how to do it and just not have the strength to do it.

[aseepish]

Fast answer: big guys who don't rely on their size and strength DO advance faster in BJJ.

Long answer: Do you mean they are being promoted faster than you? This shouldn't be the case if they are solely relying on brute strength. Your instructor should be looking at technical performance, not simply submissions/escapes that are "forced."

To answer your other question, yes! You do need to stay one step ahead of them and have superior technique. Think of Helio and Royce!

As for two people of equal training and unequal size, it's a bit of a loaded question. But it's not necessarily the bigger/stronger person who wins. A smaller person could be faster and more agile.

It's difficult when you're first starting out - the first year or so you will have learned pretty much the same techniques as your hypothetical classmate. But there are so many techniques and once you are exposed to enough you can begin to focus on those that are more suitable to your particular body type and style. Be patient and train hard.

[kuk sool won]

Learn to fight to your advantage, there is ALWAYS an advantage that you can get on your opponent in any combat art.

[JkD187]

Advance as in get better at JJ then yes and no.A big guy with some training can cover up alot of his technical flaws with his attributes like strength and speed.In my gym to ensure technical growth as well as attribute grow sometimes we roll using no speed and power and just try to work the moves...this ensures everyone learns proper technique and learns how to use their attributes to enhance their skill.

[Gumbi]

I'm a bigger guy, and where I train most of the guys at my level weigh less than me. So when I drill sweeps etc, I think I have them down. But then every couple of weeks I go out and train with a group who has some guys who are way bigger than me and I realise how much my sweeps suck.

So having the weight advatange isn't always a help, because when you do come up against someone bigger and stronger, your technical skill wont be as high.

[SweepEm]

Size and strength always help but if you're in a competition with guys your size, it doesn't matter since you're going against people who are on your level.

I see it a lot, a big guy goes against guys that are smaller or weigh less and they use their size, strength and weight to their advantage.
But get these guys in a tournament where the playing field is level, the big guy using his size and strength to an advantage disappears and so he's at a very bad disadvantage.

If you are competing, cardio and technique will be your allies in being successful.

If an instructor bases criteria of who wins the most in sparring in a class setting, yes, a bigger guy, bigger than anyone else would advance faster.
But I believe that almost all instructors will take into account all factors.

At our school, we have 2 black belts; Rey is around 225 lbs and Andre is around 150 lbs. Andre is awesome, using his small size to his advantage. When they've sparred, Andre is able to defend and not get caught.