But Does It Work Against Someone Bigger Than You?

Published on
Updated on
< 1 minute read

I weigh about 68kg/149lbs and compete in the featherweight (under 70kg/155lbs with gi).​

Most of my training partners are heavier than me. They are probably around 80-90kg/175-200lbs.​

I believe in jiu-jitsu and that you can beat a bigger, stronger opponent if you have better skills than your opponent. That’s one of the ideas I was sold on about BJJ initially.​

And I kept practicing jiu-jitsu partially because I thought I would be able to beat bigger, stronger opponents one day.​

Yes, it’s true. You can overcome the size & strength difference between you and your opponent.​

But… the size does matter, too.​

It’s not the same when you deal with a 70kg/155lbs blue belt and a 100kg/220lbs blue belt, even if their skill levels are similar.​

Against the 100kg/220lbs blue belt, I would have to be more precise. I can’t afford to be lazy. If I make a tiny mistake when I’m rolling with the 100kg/220lbs blue belt, that can cost me quite a bit. (Although they may not notice that I made a mistake. Spotting your opponent’s mistakes is a skill that may take some time for you to develop.)​

Some of you may be around my size. Or lighter than I am. Or bigger. Depending on your size and the size of your training partners, you might understand clearly what I’m talking about. Or perhaps it’s rare for you to practice with people bigger than you.​

Whatever the situation may be for you, test your skills against bigger, stronger training partners whenever you can. See whether your techniques work against them.​

You will most likely find that your techniques aren’t precise enough, but that’s great to know.​

Learn more.​

Be a giant slayer.