Author: Fighterside

Categories
BJJ

How Long Does It Take To Get A Black Belt In BJJ?

The ultimate goal of every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner worth their salt is to get the coveted black belt. It takes hard work, dedication, and passion to earn the right to wear a BJJ black belt. But above all, it takes time.

So how long does it take to earn a black belt in BJJ?

On average, one would need about 10 years to get a black belt in BJJ. Some practitioners might take 14 years to win the coveted belt while others would earn it in eight years or less. It’s not just that the journey to the top ranking is difficult, other factors including individual talent, aptitude, and, yes, ego also play a role.

So what stands between you and your black belt target? A lot actually. Is it hard? Yes. But is it impossible? No. Many practitioners like Geo Martinez and Mads Burnell achieved it in just three years. And you can too. Let’s explore this exciting journey and see what you have to do to wear a black belt in BJJ.

The Journey from White to Black

The belt system in BJJ is quite simple. You only have to make your way through five belts. You start with the white belt and work upwards towards the black one. As you can expect, each belt is more difficult to achieve than the one before it. So by the time you’re ready to wear your BJJ black belt you’re a well-rounded practitioner who’s mastered all the nuances of the sport. Here are the 5 colors in ascending order.

1. White

Your white belt charts your path for you. You still have no clue what your learning journey will be like and you’re just testing the water here. There’s a lot you don’t know about BJJ and yourself. So as you learn about the main positions and get an idea of what BJJ is all about, you’ll also be learning more about your abilities and shortcomings. Your goal is to get the broad outlines of what’s waiting ahead for you. Your biggest obstacles are your ego and getting ahead of yourself. So learn to relax and control your ego. You’ll lose more than you win but that’s OK too.

2. Blue

The blue belt is about building your skills, especially your defense ability. Here you learn how to escape from any position especially the Mount, Side Mount, and Back Mount positions. Blue is also about passing the guard. Many practitioners find this very challenging. So the more time you spend on it early on in the journey, the better you’ll become. Try to learn at least two techniques to pass the guard and get them down to an art. 

3. Purple

You got the basics down during your blue stage, and now it’s time to spread your BJJ wings and fly. You’ll learn concepts like using your weight and that of your opponent to give momentum to your movement and how to avoid wasted movement. During your purple belt time you will also finish your foundational work as you perfect your defense techniques. Set time aside to discover the holes in your sport and plug them. Here you’ll also get some rudimentary offense work started.

4. Brown

The brown belt means you are now familiar with most positions both attack and submissions. You’re comfortable in your own skin both on and off the mat. And you’ve already developed a unique style and know where you stand among the rest of the players. As such you can now teach BJJ to others and you might decide to coach players. You can teach them how to fully use their weight from Mount and Side Mount positions and explore every opportunity to pass the guard. At this stage in your journey, you strive to hone your balance in top positions and improve on your counter techniques to more common attacks.

5. Black

The Holy Grail for every BJJ player. You have an intimate knowledge of both your body and mind. You can read your opponent and explore their weaknesses. But you’re also modest and use your expertise for the common good. Your movement is economical, efficient, and graceful all rolled into one. Yet, you never stop learning because there’s always room to get better and refine your talents. 

Why does it Take So Long to Get the Black Belt?

It’s not surprising, seeing how complex each belt is, that it takes some practitioners two years or more to move to the next ranking. To complicate things further, you should know that your journey to win the black belt isn’t all about sheer talent. In fact, when it comes to BJJ, the belt ranking is a little more complicated than that. 

It’s more than just Skill 

While other MMAs might judge you solely based on your skills, BJJ takes other factors into consideration. For example, your character plays a vital role in your progress towards the next belt rank and might boost or hamper your chances of progressing. 

Your knowledge of the various positions and situations, both defense and offense ones, are also important. Add to that another crucial factor and that is your mental toughness. You can safely assume that your character and mental fortitude are constantly being evaluated every time you step on the mat.

Non-linear Progress 

We talked about progress and moving from white to black belts making mandatory stops at the other colors in between. But that by no means implies that your progress is as simple as moving from point A to point B. Far from it.

Because BJJ evaluates every aspect of your being from the physical to the mental and psychological, not everybody has a smooth sail. Some get bogged down at a certain rank because they have some issues they grapple with. Others find the theoretical aspect of the sport easy to grasp but struggle on the mat.

There’s a Lot to Learn 

If there’s something that sets BJJ apart from other martial arts it’s that for every position and technique there are hundreds of variations. To become a well-rounded player who wears that black belt with pride, you’ll need to master as many techniques as you can and familiarize yourself with their various derivatives. 

This is why the greatest champs of the sport are so humble. They understand that the more they study and learn the more they realize that there’s a lot more to know. You’re always a student in BJJ even after winning the black belt. 

It’s all about Commitment 

Not everyone who trains in BJJ is there to get the black belt. Some treat the sport as a hobby while others consider it the sole purpose of their existence. Between these extremes, there are other varying degrees of commitment. To get promoted you’ll need to take BJJ a little more seriously than just a hobby or a pastime. Regular training and competing are the operative words here.

Have you Got What it Takes?

As we have seen, BJJ is a personal journey. Some sail through it faster than others. Few will get the ultimate promotion of the black belt while others will cut their journey short. So what exactly do you need to make it in BJJ?

Knowledge

People learn at different rates. And one of the challenges that students find daunting in BJJ is the amount of knowledge they have to learn. It’s a lot, yes, but you’ll get there if you respect your learning abilities and refrain from comparing yourself to others. There’s no shame in taking more time to learn a specific defense technique than the next player. Keep at it and never give up. Jiu-Jitsu is about personal growth and it rewards you with more goodies than just colorful belts.

Time on the Mat

Nothing beats the practical experience you get on the mat. Training and competing are the heart and soul of BJJ. Just like watching swimming videos alone doesn’t make you a good swimmer, theoretical knowledge isn’t enough in Jiu-Jitsu. The mat is the ultimate test of how much you know and how much you don’t know. Just watch out for the mat burnout. It’s common among BJJ players. So respect your body limits and strike a good balance between training and study.

A Competitive Spirit

The bookies’ favorite saying is it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters but the size of the fight in the dog. To advance in BJJ, you need to have an elevated level of competitiveness. There’s no winning or losing in Jiu-Jitsu and you learn more from your so-called losses than from the competitions that you prevail in. A competitive spirit drums up your passion and commitment for the sport. And you can’t do without those two in the world of BJJ. 

A Dash of Passion 

Just like everything in life, in order to attain a high and elusive goal, you’ll need to be passionate about it. If there’s one thing that all black belt champs share it’s their unwavering love of BJJ. The more you love it the more willing you’ll be to put in the time and effort to learn, train, compete, and get better. 

Categories
Judo

Best Judo Throws For Tall Guys

Some may say that being tall in judo is a disadvantage as it is easier for your opponent to get underneath you for a throw. However, if you know the best judo throws for tall guys and when to use them, you can use your height as an advantage to gain the upper hand in a bout. 

So what are some of the best Judo throws for tall guys?

The best judo throws for tall guys are:

  • Uchi mata –  long legs are put to good use
  • Deashi Barai – can be applied from further out with a long reach
  • O Soto Gari – an effective throw for tall guys

While these judo throws may be effective for tall guys, time still needs to be taken to learn and master them. Not only that, you need to know the best time to use them and how being a tall guy makes them work best or you. You should also consider the other ways you can use your height to your advantage. 

Uchi mata

Uchi mata may be one of the most commonly used judo throws at international level, but that does not mean it is an easy throw to pull off effectively. Firstly, before attempting Uchi mata you need to be in a dominant position. If you aren’t, then you will likely be countered and be on the receiving end of a throw yourself! 

Tall guys tend to have long legs and larger feet than shorter guys. This is why throws such as Uchi mata work so well for tall guys. Any foot/leg techniques (Ashi-Waza) can be used very effectively as long legs and large feet are perfect sweeping instruments. 

It makes sense for tall guys to make use of leg grabs and sweeps to take advantage of their longer reach. When performing Uchi mata, as a tall guy, you don’t need to come in as tight or get as low as you would with a shoulder throw like Seoi nage for example. By staying further away from your opponent, you are less likely to be grabbed and ultimately thrown. 

Uchi mata is a classic (and very popular) judo throw that suits tall guys perfectly. Take full advantage of your long legs and practice Uchi mata a lot! 

Deashi Barai 

Deashi Barai is all about catching your opponent distributing their weight unevenly. You are looking for a situation where they have little to no weight on their front foot so you can sweep it and throw them to the floor. This can be done when your opponent is moving in any direction but it tends to be most successful when they are moving sideways or backwards. When they are moving in these directions, they are less likely to be expecting a sweep as much as they are when they are moving forwards so it is easier to catch them unawares. 

Like with Uchi mata, Deashi Barai makes great use of tall guys’ long legs. With longer legs you have a greater reach meaning you can sweep your opponents leg from a farther distance.

This type of sweep and throw tends to be a lower risk option for tall guys; it can be applied from a good distance away from your opponent so there is less chance of them being able to counter or grab you if you are unsuccessful. 

Deashi Barai is a quick and effective attack when used at the right time. The key is in the timing of the sweep so timing drills are of great importance to make sure you know exactly when to strike! 

Osoto Gari

One of the key factors in performing Osoto Gari is making sure your positioning is such that when you move in for the sweep, your opponent is already unbalanced and vulnerable to an attack. This is usually done by, first grasping them with a good grip. One hand grips the lapel while the other grips the sleeve from below the elbow. From this position you can then get them off balance by pushing them in a diagonal line in the direction you want to throw or by shifting their body weight onto the leg you want to sweep (reap).  

Osoto Gari works well for taller players in a similar way to Uchi mata and Deashi Barai in that the longer reach of the arms and legs can create an advantageous position from further back meaning your opponent has less opportunity to grab you and perform their own attack. 

Osoto Gari is a great counter move particularly for an opponent’s own Osoto Gari. It is one of the most popular judo throws and it is also relatively simple to learn. Take your time to master Osoa Gari so you are able to use it to most effect when you need to in a bout. 

Benefits of Being Tall in Judo

Some of the most successful players in judo are small or of average height. This makes sense in a sport that is about throwing your opponent as the smaller (or shorter) you are, the lower your centre of gravity. Having a low centre of gravity makes you extra stable and therefore, less likely to be forced off balance and thrown. 

Being tall does have some advantages in judo though. Firstly, as mentioned already, having longer limbs means you can reach your opponent from a greater distance so you are less vulnerable to a counter attack or being pushed or pulled off balance. 

Being a tall guy in judo also means some throws are harder to perform on you. Any throw that requires you to be lifted off your feet will be much more challenging for a shorter opponent to pull off as they are unlikely to be able to generate enough lift to get your feet off the ground. This can help you tactically as you will be aware they will be more likely to try and move you sideways to get you off balance rather than attempting anything where a lift is required. 

More Judo Throws for Tall Guys

While not necessarily the best judo throws for tall guys, there are plenty of other throws that work well for taller players. If timed right and executed well, these judo throws can also be effective for tall guys in judo:

  • Harai Goshi
  • Tai Otoshi
  • Ouchi Gari
  • Ashi Guruma
  • Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
  • Sumi Gaeshi
  • Kouchi Gari
  • Darai Goshi

Tips for Tall Guys in Judo

  1. Adapt. You will likely find that you have to adapt grips and throws slightly to suit your height. For example, you may need to use the top grip instead of the lapel and sleeve as this may be an easier position to perform your throws. You might also need to adapt your strategies as if you use the top grip more, your opponent may notice and try to counter with O Goshi and Seoi Nage so you will need to be prepared for this. The more experienced you are in judo, the more understanding you will have of which throws work for you and which do not. Learn to adapt to make them work. 
  2. High grips. You may find you grip your opponent higher than others simply because it is easier for you. Do not force yourself to use a lower grip as it may cause you to become vulnerable to an attack. 
  3. Concentrate on your posture and movements. Taller guys tend to be a little less coordinated than shorter guys so focus on creating and maintaining a strong posture and move with decisiveness. Do not allow yourself to move around unnecessarily as you may become tired quicker, make each move a step towards victory!
  4. Be patient. This is important for all players but particularly tall guys in judo. It can be more challenging for tall guys for a while until they find what works best for them. This is normal so do not rush, be patient and the best throws for you will become apparent the more experienced you become. 
  5. Study hard and practice a lot. To master judo throws and be successful, you will need to study outside of your regular classes. However, as a tall player you will likely need to do more specific studying of other successful tall judo players. By studying them and adapting your style to more closely match theirs you are more likely to be successful too. 

Best Judo Throws For Tall Guys 

Ultimately, the best judo throws for tall guys will be the ones the individual feels most comfortable performing and the ones they are able to do at exactly the right time. It may take years before you find your Tokui Waza (favoured technique) so do not expect to perfect your best throws in the early days of your judo journey.  

It is always wise to study your craft both in a personal and professional manner. Listen to your sensei, perform their training and drills with full effort and take all of their feedback on board. This is the best way to master your throws and be successful in judo. 

Categories
MMA

Top 5 Judo Throws For MMA

Utilizing judo throws in MMA has been beneficial for numerous champions in the sport’s history. Notable judokus who have brought their skills into the mixed martial arts arena include Ronda Rousey, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Karo Parisyan and many more.

So what are the 5 best Judo throws in MMA? We’ve boiled them to:

  1. Harai Goshi
  2. Osoto Gari
  3. Uchi Mata
  4. Ippon Seoi Nage
  5. Okuri Ashi Harai

There are a few advantages to using judo throws as opposed to wrestling takedowns. Most notably, a well-executed judo throw will likely land you in a more dominant position. Here are the top-5 judo throws for MMA. 

1. Harai Goshi

Harai Goshi translates to “hip throw” or “hip sweep.” It is a technique that has successfully found a home in MMA by skilled judokus who compete in the sport. This throw involves the outside leg making a sweeping motion in order to add momentum. It is beneficial for taller athletes who may have trouble getting their hips lower than their opponents. It was originally developed by Jigoro Kano in response to Shiro Saigo constantly finding a way to escape the uki-goshi. Kano devised a way to trap Saigo’s escape foot and the Harai Goshi throw was born. 

To execute the throw, place the back of your thigh against your opponent’s thigh on the same side and ride them on your hips. Then raise their leg from the mat in a sweeping motion and pull with both of your arms as you twist your upper body around to toss them to the ground. In MMA, executing a Harai Goshi properly will result in landing in a dominant position.

Not surprisingly, Ronda Rousey used these throws often in her career. One example of this comes from her UFC 168 fight against Meisha Tate. In the second-round, Tate was trying to secure a rear waist lock after a takedown attempt. As she did so, however, Rousey’s left arm pressured Tate’s body into her back and her left leg swept her opponent. Rousey ended up hitting the mat face first due to not using either one of her arms to block her fall but doing so allowed her to keep control of her opponent and land in a dominant position. Rousey would go on to submit Tate in the 3rd round with an armbar, her second straight victory over her longtime rival. 

2. Osoto Gari

The name Osoto Gari actually translates to “Large Outer Reaping” which accurately sums up this outside leg sweep. It is a very basic judo throw that is common at all levels of the sport. To execute this throw from a right-handed perspective, you want to step next to your opponent with your left leg about a foot away from their right leg (depending on how tall everyone is). Hold your opponent close and push them off-balance to the rear corner. You will know your opponent has come unbalanced if you see their left foot has come onto their toes or if their heel has lifted slightly. This will allow you to use your right leg to sweep their right leg and throw them to the mat while using your upper thigh and hip as a pivot point. As with everything in judo, you are attacking your opponent’s balance more than anything else. 

In MMA, using an Osoto Gari can be used as a way to counter an aggressive striker. If your opponent is coming forward at a rate you aren’t comfortable with, pull them close, step to the side and sweep the leg to land in an advantageous position. The more aggressive your opponent is, the easier it should be to throw off their balance. It’s helpful if your opponent isn’t expecting you to use this technique, however, as often countering it is just a matter of moving one’s leg. 

When executed properly in MMA, an Osoto Gari throw should result in landing in a dominant position such as side-control or in an advantageous position to lock in an armbar. One fighter famous for his use of Osoto Gari in MMA is “Sexyama” Yoshihiro Akiyama. At UFC 144 Sexyama took on noted wrestler Jake Shields. While Shields would win the fight via unanimous decision, Akiyama demonstrated some well executed judo throws including an Osoto Gari. 

3. Uchi Mata

The Uchi Mata translates to “inner thigh throw” and that accurately sums up what you are attempting to do with this throw. 

To execute a Uchi Mata from a right-handed perspective, step your right leg across your body while holding your opponent. Then twist your shoulders toward your right leg and bring your left leg around so that it lands in between your opponents legs. Pull with your right shoulder and lift with your hip to bring your opponent crashing to the mat. 

The Uchi Mata can be used in MMA as a counter to takedown attempts. Once again, Ronda Rousey provides an example of how and when to execute this throw in her UFC 168 clash with Meisha Tate. Early in the 1st round of that fight, Tate was able to take Rousey to the ground with an outside trip. This would prepare Rousey to successfully counter the same technique later in the round, however. As Tate again went for the same technique, Rousey was able to maintain her balance, push Tate forward and lift her up and over from her hip. Tate’s hips went above her head and her body came crashing to the mat, a much different result from when Tate had attempted the same trip earlier in the fight. Rousey then countered another takedown attempt later the same round in a similar fashion. 

By round 2, Tate had abandoned her outside trip attempts but Rousey was able to utilize the Harai Goshi throw mentioned above. Rousey’s successful use of both the Harai Goshi and Uchi Mata can likely be attributed to the training she received from noted judokas “Judo” Gene LeBell, Gokor Chivichyan, and Karo Parisyan. Her mother, 1984 World Champion judoka AnnaMaria De Mars, may have had something to do with it as well. 

4. Ippon Seoi Nage

Ippon Seoi Nage translates to “one-armed shoulder throw” and is one of the more dramatic judo techniques that can be pulled off in MMA. While this move sounds simple to execute, doing so can be quite difficult in an MMA fight unless you are a skilled judoka. 


To execute a successful Ippon Seoi Nage, grab onto one of your opponent’s arms and then spin around so that your back is facing your opponent and toss them over your shoulder. When executed properly your opponent should land in such a spot that if you fell with them you wouldd end up in a North-South position. You can also just hold onto the arm and lock in an armbar after. 

Judoku Rick “Genghis” Hawn pulled off a highlight reel Ippon Seoi Nage when he made his debut for Bellator in 2010. Hawn went 2-2 at the 2004 Olympics in judo, finishing in 9th place in his division. He went into his MMA career with a solid judo background and demonstrated that against LeVon Maynard at Bellator 33. 

Maynord blocked a head kick attempt by Hawn which sent his opponent to the mat, as he was getting up to his feet, there was a moment when it looked like Maynard would be able to get his back. Maynard then reached around Hawn but that only served to offer up his arm to an Olympic-level judoka. Hawn grabbed the arm and threw his opponent over his shoulder to the mat and pummeled him until the ref stepped in. If you are a highly skilled judoka and an opponent thinks they have an opportunity for a standing rear-naked choke, it’s really just an opportunity for you to execute an Ippon Seoi Nage. 

5. Okuri Ashi Harai/Okuri Ashi Barai

This move is a double foot-sweep from a standing position and can be effective in MMA if attempted at just the right moment. To execute this throw, sweep your opponent’s leg in toward their other leg by pushing your foot up against their foot. Continue your sweep until both of your opponent’s legs are up in the air to complete your throw. 

For this throw, however, your opponent needs to be moving. It is very difficult to execute this technique on a static opponent with both feet planted firmly on the ground. It is most effective with a retreating opponent or one moving side-to-side. Similarly, it is difficult to sweep your opponent with this technique if they have a wide stance. An Okuri Ashi Harai needs to be timed perfectly so that your opponent is moving, their legs aren’t too far apart, and they aren’t expecting you to utilize this throw. Ideally, you will be executing this move at the exact moment when your moving opponent’s legs are closer together than they would be if they were standing statically. 

The opportunity to execute this throw occurs less often in MMA than it does in judo. In MMA, however, if an attempt is unsuccessful it still puts your opponent in a vulnerable position for a takedown. It won’t impress the judokas but you’ll still end up in an advantageous position. 

Categories
BJJ

Top 10 Tips For Taller People Doing BJJ

Whether you’re just starting out training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or a season trainer, here are the top 10 tips that should be on the radar for any tall person doing BJJ.  

What are the top 10 tips for taller people doing BJJ to consider?

  1. Basics of Position
  2. Height & Weight
  3. Flexibility
  4. Grips
  5. Throws
  6. Chokes
  7. Takedowns
  8. Defence
  9. Escape
  10. Observe The Best

These tips will specifically apply to people on the taller side and offer the key types of submissions and take-downs amongst other advice to ensure you have these tips in your back pocket next time you hit the mats. 

#1 Basics of Position

The key number one tip for any tall person in BJJ is to get your basics of position down. These basics not only protect you but win and win big. It’s very simple but as a tall person in BJJ it is important that you master your basics, your base is where it’s going to get difficult so be prepared.

#2 Height & Weight

As mentioned above, your height and weight are an asset when competing against other people. Make sure you are using them to your advantage, utilize your long limbs. They can get you out of a lot of trouble in BJJ. Remember to keep your arms close, get your elbows in and use your weight, not muscle and leverage.

#3 Flexibility 

In order to complement your height, it is important to be very flexible in BJJ. If you are tall and flexible this will make you extremely dangerous. The more flexible you are the easier you can manoeuvre around your opponent. This will allow for you to utilize your long limbs by wrapping them around your opponent.

#4 Grips 

As a tall person it’s important to focus on the correct grip that is more beneficial to your frame that will give you more power. The idea grip for a tall person would be the top grip as it will be an easier grip for you naturally rather than sleeve grip. Be mindful though that this grip may leave you open with an opponent attacking with an ogoshi.

#5 Throws

This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the throws that a taller fighter should focus on in BJJ. The most effective throws for a taller person would be the Darai Goshi, Ouchi Gari and Osoto Gari throws so if you are not already familiar try to get familiar and comfortable with these types of throws. 

#6 Chokes 

A strong choke technique in BJJ as a taller fighter can be a real game changer. If you’re starting out in BJJ you are probably familiar with the Cross Choke. This is likely the choke you can master faster than many of the other chokes. As a taller fighter, the cross choke is probably the most powerful and versatile choke you can use.

The cross choke has several benefits one being the fact that it can be applied from a variety of different positions.  Some of those include full mount, side control, knee on belly, bottom half guard, top half guard, and when someone is in your closed guard.

You can use the choke very successfully from top or bottom.  If you are more of a guard fighter, the best place for you to use your cross choke is going to be from the closed guard, you can also apply this choke with great success from the half guard.  

#7 Takedowns

When training BJJ, it is essential for a taller fighter to have some useful takedown techniques in their toolbox. The key takedowns to be familiar with are as follows:

Double Leg Takedown 

Despite there being many ways to do the double leg takedown in BJJ, each version shares the basic points. You need to bend at the knees to change level while your head contacts the outside of their hip. Then push your shoulder into the stomach of your opponent, grab both their legs behind their knees and forcefully pull on them to break their balance. This is a useful takedown and one which we advise for any fighters on the taller side so they can utilize their power and height.

Single Leg Takedown

An alternative is the single leg takedown, the difference being the single leg takedown is done with your head on the hip, rather than the outside of the opponent. Your shoulder will also be hitting the hip rather than the stomach in the double leg takedown. 

In this takedown, once you secure your opponents’ legs, you drive forward and stand up quick. Their leg will be caught between yours, so you step back with your outside legs in a circular way. This will cause your opponent to fall into the space you’ve created. As a taller fighter, if you can get good at the single leg takedown in BJJ this will really benefit your being able to use your great advantage of your legs.

#8 Defence

The takedowns above (double/single leg) have a few things in common in that you need to change levels, get hold of the person’s leg and keep your head up. 

Then circle to create the force required to take them down. Because they have this in common, defending against them is very similar. This is called sprawling and is all about denying your opponent what is necessary to complete their takedown before they get hold of your legs. As a tall fighter, to do this you would drop your hips, moving your legs back and away, lowering your weight and using your hands to push down on their head. This will help to hold up any finish or takedown from your opponent.

When the spawl defence is mastered, this will give the opponent no choice but to abandon their shot and assume the all fours position.

#9 Escape

Another important part of BJJ if you’re a tall fighter is the escape. Two escapes that are valuable to know are the Sit Through Escape and Switch Escape.

Sit Through Escape

So, let’s say you’ve shot for a double leg and single leg takedown and your opponent has sprawled and you’re stuck in the turtle position. The best escape would be to sit through. As the sprawl is the go-to counter to takedowns, the sit through is the counter to the sprawl. 

First, you get your head out from under your opponent and get your ear against their hip. Then, you step your foot forward on that same side and get your knee off the mat. Finally, you post up on your opposite side arm and kick your other leg through to slide out from under your adversary and create an entirely new angle you can use to finish your takedown or attack their back as they are now in the turtle, with you beside them in a strong attack position.

Switch Escape

Let’s say your opponent has hugged you around the body and has moved behind you. Now you’re in the perfect position to be thrown with a suplex. So, you need some way to defend yourself, but you can’t pummel since your opponent is behind you.

The best escape to this is called the switch. Again, you need to create separation between your hips and your opponents. But, since you’re facing away from them, this means you are moving forward while bending backwards. Also, you push down on their hands as if you’re trying to take off a pair of jeans. Once you create enough space, you reach back and grab under one of their knees, then drop your bottom to the mat. This creates enough force to break their grip and allows you to escape and take their back. From there, you better do your next move in a hurry or they’ll use the switch on you.

#10 Observe the Best 

Finally, as with any sport, it’s always beneficial to watch professionals or masters in your sport at the highest level. In the case of taller BJJ fighters, it would be beneficial to watch videos of fighters such as Pacek and Fortier as these guys are tall guys mastering BJJ at the highest level. Through observing you will be able to take away your own tips and tricks which are being performed by tall fighters at the highest level.

Advantages and Disadvantages 

In BJJ like other sports, there are advantages and disadvantages that arise with your natural height and weight. Taller people in BJJ will have lengthier and potentially more dangerous arms and legs at their disposal. This could mean being able to trap an opponent from a further distance. Being taller, you are also able to sink in chokes and control your back easier.

As for the disadvantages, well being on the taller side will certainly make it difficult to squeeze your body parts into difficult areas and positions. Other notable disadvantages would include having a larger neck to attack and being potentially slower in your takedowns.

There you have it, the top ten tips for taller people doing BJJ, I hope these tips are helpful for you to take your BJJ to the next level.