tactics for small guys

[Adept]

The guy asked about an art or a training method that is based on the specific concept and strategy of handling someone bigger and stronger.

Wouldn't be using the leverage principles of BJJ or Judo be just that?

Sorry for my poor insight. It just looked like to me your previous post was stating that arts like BJJ or Judo wouldn't be what he was looking for because they train in weight classes.

It's just that my own personal experience with BJJ, I've rolled and trained with bigger partners.

[DonKey]

I'd tend to agree with that, not much gentle about the judo I've seen.

Fact of the matter is that strength and size does matter, and a smaller guy is going to have to work harder to fend off someone bigger and stronger.

Get good at western boxing, then throw in some Judo or BJJ. Kali for weapons and other interesting dirty tricks and you're set.

[TTEscrima]

Learn to use weapons, it's always better to have a force multiplier. My favorite weapon is one I have with me nearly all the time and it's my favorite thing to hit to hit people with, it's the Earth. Learn to throw people.

[formulab]

Thanks for all the advice,
has any of you guys executed "throw moves" in street fights against bigger guys? or what's your experience of fighting bigger guys?

[Tant01]

Terra Firma (Terrain)

Learn to use weapons, it's always better to have a force multiplier. My favorite weapon is one I have with me nearly all the time and it's my favorite thing to hit to hit people with, it's the Earth. Learn to throw people.

Isn't GRAVITY awesome?

[Ryan Bellegante]

Look at Russian Systema

[KingKrav]

I recommend Krav Maga. Krav Maga is a martial art in which everything you learn is designed for street fighting and it teaches you tactics in which you can overcome bigger, stronger opponents, even those that may be armed with knives or pistols and it also teaches you to fight from disadvantaged positions, such as against multiple attackers, when exhausted, when dizzy, ect. It is also very quick and easy to learn, in the few weeks I have trained, I've already learned three ways to defend against knife threats, defenses against three types of chokes, defenses against bearhugs, holds and hay makers, pre emptive strikes and what to look for in a person who may be a threat.

I'd advise you to check out what is in your local area, visit each training center/dojo and check each place out and do some research on different martial arts you choose. Remember, it's up to you to choose which art fits you best and watch out for flashy gimmicks.

[bodhisattva]

Although I am a big fan of all the above, all four arts are focussed around and operate within weight categories. Therefore I'm not sure that is what the guy was looking for. Would the attributes taken from any of those arts help him in a fight? Sure, but its perhaps not the specific answer to the problem posed, IMO.

they all fight with weight limits because they are both assumed to be equally trained.

It doesn't change the fact that if you want to learn to hit HARD with WHAT YOU'VE GOT then boxing is the way to go.

If you want to learn to control another man's weight, even when he's much larger, then wrestling and judo have it.

And if you want to learn to control another man on the ground, and submit him, then it's BJJ, in my book.

--
Sure, they fight within weight classes. What should we expect, 115 pound men fighting 215 pound men, both of them well trained, both of them in good condition?
--
Weight classes exist because both fighters are trained. There is no "Magic Way for Small Guys" outside of good striking skills, good throwing skills, and good ground skills.
--
At SBGi Portland, I'd see large, built construction workers, body builders, and others come in the gym's front door.

They'd get OWNED by the little guys there - in boxing, throwing, and ground. OWNED.

Why? Because those arts are great when a little man has to fight a big man.

[bodhisattva]

Isn't GRAVITY awesome?

Yes. In fact, Gravity, coupled with a persons tendency to fall clumsily (if they don't wrestle/grapple) work together really well.

[Wilks123]

Actually I am also looking into getting a martial art to defend myself,but i havent found any places which are very practical. Mainly not very good teachers or just teaching the flashy unrealistic stuff.

Im from South London, surrey in the suburbs, does anyone know of any good places around here they would recommend.

Id be grateful for any info thanks.

[integrityma]

small guy

Best strategy, stick close to your attacker, but away from his front, where big guys have the advantage. Keep moving. Never stop striking and moving. If your smaller and trying to kick, that puts you right in his punching range. all grappling arts mentioned are good, but require lots of training, and never address multiple attackers. Try a few arts, and see what works best for YOU. good luck.

[FoolsTP]

...

whatever art you do. if the dude is big 1. don't go down the middle, try to flank them, and 2. go for the knees.

also use anything you can for a weapon a pen a chair a bat. you need to have amazing technique to be able to throw a dude who weighs 200+ if you weigh 130 lb which makes it really risky same with going up the middle. it will even be extremely difficult to use small joint manipulation if they grab you unless you have a amazing technique.

so i would say your best bet would be to stay low flank them and attack knees. same if you have anything other than a knife or a gun still attack the knees and flank. if you have a knife you still wanna flank you just don't nec have to go for the knees. if you get to their back it should be game over for them no matter what art you take.

hope it helps. i might be completely wrong about this stuff

[LtMedTB]

That might not have been the best possible example to showcase Paul Vunak's skills. Here's a classic video.

jkd-paul vunak-trapping.avi

I agree with Michael Wright. Speaking of which, here's a video of his that I found on YouTube. Great stuff, Michael!

YouTube - Michael Wright Knife Seminar

Here are some other talented students of Sifu Inosanto.

Ron Balicki
YouTube - Ron Balicki Jun Fan JKD Jeet Kune Do Instructors Series DVD

Rick Faye
YouTube - Rick Faye Minnesota Kali Group

Rick Young
YouTube - Empty Hand Kali 1

Scott Elliott
YouTube - jkd

T. Kent Nelson
YouTube - Sensei-Guro T. Kent Nelson

[figgis]

Thanks for all the advice,
has any of you guys executed "throw moves" in street fights against bigger guys? or what's your experience of fighting bigger guys?

Throwing someone heavier than you is much harder; throwing someone heavier than you who is trying to rip off your ear is harder again. Throwing someone who is heavier than you and has a lower centre of gravity and who is willing to fight dirty is a nightmare. Vet throws you learn in judo class very carefully for real combat applications - hip throw is probably way out.

Also, in a real fight the uke might be unsporting enough to grab you to cushion his fall. This happened to me a dojo accident once when my partner panicked and ripped armpit hair out through my gi. It hurt, but if the guy had grabbed my ear I would probably have lost it.

"Kick to the shins" sounds like good advice to me. Combined with the clinch it's what Vunak taught the SEALs. Throwing from the clinch now - that does work, especially if you've cost your opponent use of a leg, I imagine.

[jubaji]

Throwing someone heavier than you is much harder.

But not so much harder than some might think.