Strategy against Larger Opponent

[HtTKar]

running away is not really a takedown stategy.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Make sure they dont fall on you

[Hikage]

Even Judo has weight classes, right?

Levi, as for real strategies for dealing with bigger guys, I'm all over the weapons idea. If it comes down to straight grappling, I'm still all about weapons. Purposeful weapons or improviised weapons, nothing says "Get off me you big ape" like a bic pen stuffed 3" into an unsuspecting eye socket, with the possible exception of the aforementioned .44 Magnum. Common sense plays a role (meaning stay out of these encounters and you don't need to worry), but if the situation is forced upon you, I'd strongly caution against jumping up and wrapping your legs around a behemoth like that, letting him dive on top of you, and hope that your guard is enough. From your recommendation, it looks like your only real back-up plan is an excuse that "Hey, you can't win em all." Several options that should come before that:

1. Weapons of the loud explosive, projectile hurling breed.
2. Weapons of the steely, sharp, pointy breed.
3. Weapons of the giant knot-raising, bone smacking, concussion producing breed.
4. Weapons of the electric-current-producing, muscle spasming, uncontrollable urination as a reaction to their application breed.
5. Chemical weapons of the outright spicy, eye watering, snot producing breed.
6. Any weapon not covered in points 1-5.
7. Distract and Escape
8. Hang out with mean, capable, willing friends.
9. Don't be afraid to throw an innocent waitress between you and the brute while you crown him with a chair, metal trashcan, or nearby Buick Regal. (Or any other combination of above points - that one being a combination of points 7 and 6).
10. Bribes.
11. It takes some training and lots of skill to pull off, but the old smoke-bomb/ninja vanish trick always seemed to work in the movies.

You are shameless, but wise.

-Hikage

[Levi_athan]

Mike Brewer, naturally, everyone works better in the top position but I find myself doing the guard position more than the mount or top position. Again, what works for me might not work for you. I mean, wasn't Mago Negro's original question about how to take down his bigger buddy and not fighting for his life? If it was a street situation, yes use a weapon, but it's not. The stuff I typed were just geared towards the sport. In a self-defense situation, I won't use, like, half the stuff I use in the gym.

As for the "why is he soliciting clowns like us" question. Negro asked how to take his friend down, using your bodyweight is a pretty good way, I think. I can't do a leg takedown on some 400 lbs. jujitsu opponent, so sometimes I go for either the ankle pick or the flying guard into a cross-armlock.

Tant01, so what if you can't beat your cousin? Maybe he's just better than you. My dad is like, 180 lbs. and I can't beat him. Was it cause he was bigger than me? Could be. The most logical reason could be that his years and skill in grappling is just plain superior than mine.

[Mago_Negro]

Clarification

First i want to say 'Thank You' for all the tips. And its very interesting to hear different peoples perspecitves.

However, i want to clarify a few things...

I would like to learn techniques that would be applicable on the mat or in the "street". Because if a technique is only applicable in the street, then when will i have an opportunity to practice it? One of the great things about BJJ is that you can spar with your classmates and develop the muscle memory or reflexes needed to do the move. You also learn what works and doesn't work against different sized/skilled opponents.

Often times, my instructor will teach something, and i will think..."that looks great, but that would not work against a larger opponent"

One of the posters, mentioned jumping the guard. But this is a really bad position when you are smaller, because the other person has more arm reach,
and its harder to utilize one's quickness.

Also, some people have mentioned judo throws. I am not an expert, but it seems like you have to be perfect position to make one of those work. And in a sparing/fight situation, that is hard set up. True?

I kinda agree with Hikage, in terms of being squirrely, playing with balance and using quickness. I find that approach to work best for me. When the larger opponent is on the ground, I feel like i have the advantage, and i give quick strategically placed pushes and pulls to confuse him. Kinda like what a smaller defensive lineman does.

It's getting my oppenent to the ground that i stuggle with...

[Hikage]

In a self-defense situation, I won't use, like, half the stuff I use in the gym.

... Umm... then why use it? I always leave the dojo thinking, "I might have to use what I learned today, tonight." Why waste your time? Are you in it for sport or combat?

Often times, my instructor will teach something, and i will think..."that looks great, but that would not work against a larger opponent"

I think it's important to have a reserve of techniques for the larger dudes. Not every technique is going to work on every body type. It is exactly the ability to create and improvise that makes a man an "artist."

Also, some people have mentioned judo throws. I am not an expert, but it seems like you have to be perfect position to make one of those work. And in a sparing/fight situation, that is hard set up. True?

Yeah, unless you perfect the off-balance, you'll end up struggling and muscling to get the man over. Even the pro's seem to fall into this. Their balance is so good that the others can't seem to take each other off-balance. So they seem to kind stumble a bit before they throw the opponent. This seems to work in competition where there are no strikes, but is less successful against a man who does not know how to fall because they will fight, kick, and claw to avoid going down. (Again, I'm referring to the Judo as it appears in the Olympics.)

I kinda agree with Hikage,

Let's hear that again...

I kinda agree with Hikage,

One more time...

I kinda agree with Hikage,

In all seriousness (and to toot my own horn) you really do have to be kinda squirrely. These big dudes that I said I work with absolutely HATE working on me because I manage to squeak out of most techniques and squeeze into others. You can't fight all people the same way. Your stance must change, your technique must change, strategy must change, EVERYTHING must change. No two punches are ever alike.

-Hikage

[jubaji]

Remember a Pitbul is only a medium sized dog. But their agility, intelligence, fearlessness, and courage make them the baddest fighting dogs to ever to walk this planet. .

I don't think so.

http://www.moloss.com/breeds/stuvx/t002/

http://www.bulldoginformation.com/Tosa-inu.html

[Tom Yum]

running away is not really a takedown stategy.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Make sure they dont fall on you

Yes, but running away is not a bad option.

Now, the scenario we are talking about is in the gym with padded floors and the dude you are staring at is 6'4" and 256lbs. I'm 5'10" and 175 (about to be 173 in a few seconds). We lock up and even though I can move the guy, he is still bulldozing me the other way...

I guess I could push on him and go for a quick duck under. If I get his back, I could spin him around to the ground. Push him (he resists) and use his resistance to get a souplet. I guess I could get ahold of one of his legs and work a single.

If I don't get his back, but get my head just behind his arm pit, I could try to sweep him different ways.

I work with bigger guys and this is much easier said than done, but when you get it, you get it.

I'm not very big, but neither am I tiny and I just can't see myself jumping guard against a stronger, bigger grappler especially if the intensity picks up.

[Levi_athan]

Actually, it's both sport and combat, as well as for fun. I wrestle with my friends at the gym, not the dojo, for the workout, too. I rarely try to get myself into fights and things like that. I have some techniques that are for street combat, but if it did come down to it, there's always the weapons option.