The bigger they are, the harder they fall: 3 tips to handle heavier opponents in Jiu-Jitsu

August 10, 2023

One of Jiu-Jitsu’s greatest strengths lies in the fact that it welcomes people of all shapes and sizes. While weight and height are aspects to be considered, neither will be an obstacle to your performance on the mats. If you truly know what you’re doing, your particular traits will turn out to be your greatest assets, opening possibilities that’ll give you an edge against any opponent.

With all that being said, stepping onto the mats and seeing a much heavier adversary towering over you can be a little unnerving at times, right? While AJP tournaments usually separate Opens into Light and Heavyweight, the possibility of running into someone who can overpower you with their physical traits alone is still very real and should be planned, for training sessions or tournaments. To help even the odds a little more, we have set aside 3 key tips to help you deal with heavier opponents in Jiu-Jitsu. Check it out below!

Stay mobile and try to break their balance

While physically stronger, heavyweights often can’t match their lighter counterparts when it comes to agility, so they try to pin opponents and apply pressure to take control of the fight. Going head-on against such foes usually ends in a swift and merciless defeat, so use your attributes to fight on your terms. Lighter athletes should always stay mobile, maintaining enough distance to avoid being trapped, and using their nimble features to try and disrupt the opponent’s balance. Use your speed to quickly transition between positions and lead the adversary to react and possibly make mistakes. Bigger isn’t necessarily better, so play to your strengths and avoid power contests.

Focus on technique

The nature of Jiu-Jitsu truly shines when fighting out of your weight division, as your technical knowledge will level the playing field and give you the tools you need to overcome heavier foes on the mats. To put it in simple terms, leverage and positioning are key assets, as you can exploit your opponent’s center of gravity with sweeps and submissions. Open guard variations, for instance, will do wonders here, as techniques like the spider guard or de la riva guard can limit the opponent’s movements and open the way for an attack strategy. If you have to close the guard, make sure to use your arms and legs as barriers to keep the adversary from settling their weight on you. Use strong grips to control the opponent and good posture to keep them from reaching a dominant position and use your Jiu-Jitsu to come out on top.

Calm-minded and sharp-eyed

If you step onto the mat feeling that you’re at a disadvantage, half of the battle is already lost. All athletes have the same tools at their disposal, and weight only dictates how strong or fast your body innately is. It is by no means a defining attribute, so keep your mind clear as you enter the battlefield. If you eventually find yourself under pressure, don’t panic and defend yourself while looking for escape routes or opportunities to turn the tables on the opponent. Think strategically and try to anticipate your foe’s movements. Don’t give in to frustration and act rashly, but use your skills to create openings and be ready to capitalize on mistakes. A good technical know-how backed by a strong and sharp mind is nearly unbeatable on the mats.