Training - BIG BOY STYLE

[NAJJFDAVE]

Lets all laugh at the big guy for just a minute...

That's kind of how I feel trying to demonstrate a triangle choke in class. It basically ends up as a scissors choke. It works just fine for me, but its not a triangle. So, I usually just use one of my long-tall-skinnies in class to do it for me.

What's the problem you ask, well here it is.
I'm a short guy at 5'7", but I weigh 230 lbs. WOW! right? I've got my grandmothers height with my grandfathers build. My already large frame as a kid was packed on to by years of powerlifting, maxing at 650 lbs squat and 475 lbs bench...bam! As a result I ended up with 29" thighs; as big around as my inseam is long. Howard Liu (Howard Combat Kimonos) says I'm Emmit Smith in a Gi. A white Emmit anyway. HCK has great Gi's by the way, and Howard will up size your Gi top if you're bigger upstairs than down like me. You can find them at www.howardliu.com.

Anyway, just thought I'd share that with you all. Big Boys unite, you're not alone. LOL

I'd love to hear how any of you has had to modify techniques so they would work better for your build or handicap.

[akja]

I'm 5'7" also but at 160lbs., anyway the thick legs aren't helping you any and the short legs are just as bad. If I roll with anyone significantly bigger than me, my legs come up short. If you have any suggestions for bjj and the short guy, let me know!

[NAJJFDAVE]

For me the scissors modification to the triagle works...but then again I've got the thighs to make it work.

I have a similar problem closing my guard. As a result I have what is considered a weak guard.

I focus on bottom escapes and sweeps...that and working on a getting a pretty serious top game, focusing on guard passes, mounts, and submission skills.

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

Forget technique, you could pull a Bob Sapp and give your opponet a piledriver!


And if you cant close your guard, there are other variations. Work with the open guard, spider guard, butterfly guard.


You dont have to ignore the guard training because you cant close your legs. Most of the time I find myself working with an open guard anyway.

[NAJJFDAVE]

Originally posted by YeLLa-TiGeR
Forget technique, you could pull a Bob Sapp and give your opponet a piledriver!


And if you cant close your guard, there are other variations. Work with the open guard, spider guard, butterfly guard.


You dont have to ignore the guard training because you cant close your legs. Most of the time I find myself working with an open guard anyway.

All good advice, thanks. I pretty much do what you suggested.

[AKF]

This is some really interesting stuff for me. NAJJFDAVE, it's nice to see that I'm not the only oddly porportioned person to participate in BJJ.

At 6' 2" and 230 lbs, I have an unusual combination of short legs, a long torso and ZERO flexibility. I've felt that all-to-often BJJ teachers want you do to it 'the BJJ way' by assimilating your body (regardless of how odd) to the movement.

I recently read an article in Grapplers magazine in which Royce Gracie was talking about this very issue. He mentioned how too many teachers try and conform there students into what BJJ is 'supposed' to be rather than working on the strength of each indidvual student. At my size I am big and strong (I was also a powerlifter) but lack flexibility. I hate when teachers tell me that I'm using too much strength! NIce to hear I'm not the only person with issues like this!!