fighting techniques for short people

[treelizard]

So I was wondering if there's any BJJ players here that are shorties like me, I already know it's harder to get the techniques in but am trying to figure out how to capitalize on my size... Only thing I can think of (other than the fact that my technique is going to be stellar) is it's probably harder for someone to pass my guard... Anything else?

[Tom Yum]

Originally Posted by treelizard

So I was wondering if there's any BJJ players here that are shorties like me, I already know it's harder to get the techniques in but am trying to figure out how to capitalize on my size... Only thing I can think of (other than the fact that my technique is going to be stellar) is it's probably harder for someone to pass my guard... Anything else?

Its actually harder to pass the guard of someone with long legs. Having a lower center of gravity will play better when you're trying to get a takedown.

I'm not very experienced in BJJ, but have some experience. Not much though. Any one else?

[treelizard]

Originally Posted by Tom Yum

Its actually harder to pass the guard of someone with long legs. Having a lower center of gravity will play better when you're trying to get a takedown.

Interesting. Well, I find it harder to pass someone's guard when they're short because everything's so compact...

[JkD187]

Originally Posted by treelizard

Interesting. Well, I find it harder to pass someone's guard when they're short because everything's so compact...

Hey im 5'7 so i know where you come from.....the compact explosiveness is a def advantage and usually people tap out just from the leg pressure of my Triangle....without even pulling the head down.Being short is a def advantage on top but kind of a disadvantage in the guard unless you adapted moves to work for you.I had a really hard time pulling of armbars and triangles on big opponents (im 5'7 200lbs so it was very hard!)but after i found a few instructionals on how to set up the triangle and armbar when your short it really helped my game alot.This triangle set up in my opinion is the best for short guys....done by none other then Jorge Gurgel. http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...50455644&q=bjj

[treelizard]

Thanks for this.

[DaNutz]

Originally Posted by JkD187

I had a really hard time pulling of armbars and triangles on big opponents (im 5'7 200lbs so it was very hard!)but after i found a few instructionals on how to set up the triangle and armbar when your short it really helped my game alot.http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...50455644&q=bjj

Wow, that was just what I was looking for too....I was recently taught
the overhook set-up like he was showing and get in the "stale mate"
all the time as he was referring to...

The few times I did get my leg on shoulder and semi-lock it, they
posture up exactly like he showed every time to break it....I was told by
some with longer legs to simply grab my leg with my (left) hand
to hold their head down..But it DOESN'T WORK.....Even weak
guys can break this...Must work better for longer or stronger legs (more
leverage)Im 5'7 160, so my legs arent really powerful....
I loved his emphasis on "head control" and about
getting my hips up...

So whats the setup for us short guys for the armbar?

[Bjjexpertise@be]

If it were a competition, I'd say play to your strengths. If it's just class, I'd say go with the flow so you can work on your weaknesses. Being a short person, you have an easier time taking people down and defending takedowns. Use this to your advantage. If you don't like how things are going on the ground, try to break their guard and then stand back. Get them to stand back up with you where you have an advantage.
You might also want to look into the butterfly guard. This is probably my favorite guard position. This way you don't have to lock your legs around them in a closed guard and you have a really simple but effective sweep at your disposal(not to mention the armdrag to the back, my bread and butter move).
I don't know if it helps but my wrestling coach always said when you're standing, the guy with lower hips wins. Once you're on the ground, the higher hips win.

[danfaggella]

Little guys end up on bottom a lot. Plan on this, have some solid sweeps and attacks and transitions.

Also, little guys end up GENERALLY having a lot of success with strait armbars as opposed to bent armlocks, because we can wrap our bodies around indevidual limbs. Plenty of chokes (such as the guillotine and RNC) don't involve much strenth either.

Little people also can take the back a lot, and fit in ighter spaces, meaning we can wiggle out of a lot of attacks.

I like being the little guy, I think it forces me to rely on technique, which is what I like.

[EmptyneSs]

control their arms with hooks from your knees and shins from the bottom.

[treelizard]

One thing that helped me with armbars was when I figured out that I can just plant my foot on my opponent's chest, since uh it doesn't reach the ground...