Summary of Video By ‘Jordan Teaches Jiu Jitsu’ On How To Beat Bigger Opponents

I thought I would summarise the key points of this recent video, which is a useful one for small beginners. In particular, the tips should help those who are already familiar with the basic details of grappling, but may be lacking an overview of certain concepts:

1. Avoid most submissions from the bottom/guard (especially triangles) – because a big opponent will have a lot of weight and size available to defend, and if you aren’t successful with the submission, you may lose position completely as you lose the submission. Guillotines at least are relatively safe to attempt from the bottom.

2. In top position, post your hands pre-emptively or be ready to post them. Big opponents are often strong enough to reverse you using only their arms. So it is best to avoid overly committing your grips and weight. In general, the more you can transition and move yourself, rather than fight against your opponent’s movements, the less that strength and size will matter.

3. Use guards which keep your feet in front of your opponent – these are the best “frames” for keeping their weight the furthest possible distance away from you. The next best frames are your knees/shins.

4. If you can’t maintain guard, try to stay off your back and go to your knees to turtle position, which is preferable to being in your opponent’s side control. This because it is easier to deny access to the seatbelt grip and prevent your back from being taken, in turtle position, than it is to prevent the crossface and underhook under side control (which is also a seatbelt position, but from top position).

5. Use the fake guard pull ankle pick. The fake guard pull entices them to step forward, which puts their ankle within reach of you gripping it.

6. Don’t let them lock up defensive grips. As you try for armlock submissions, use whatever you can to stop them from gripping their hands together – for example placing your foot on the bicep when entering an armbar, and cupping your hand around their fingers.

7. Take care when inverting. Jordan has chronic pain in his neck from spending too long inverted as a blue belt. These days he only inverts for as long as needed, as the longer you do it, the longer they have to settle their weight on you.